Introduction of Cavalry in China
The concept of a horse soldier was not so old as a chariot in the human history.
Horse soldiers appeared first among the Scythians in the 8th century BC, who occupied regions south of the west Siberia or west of Central Asia. This type of war capability was first introduced in China in 307 BC by King Wuling of Zhao. Then state Zhao became a strong state in the Period of Warring States between 403 BC and 221 BC.
However, many subjects of the King were first against adopting the new method of war to have a soldier equipped with a bow and arrows mount a horse. They claimed that it was a habit of barbarians in the western regions or in Central Asia. Besides, riding on a horse needs to wear clothing those western barbarians put on. Great Chinese so civilized should not behave like those barbarians living in wilderness west of China. But King Wuling patiently persuaded his subjects to set up a cavalry consisting with pairs of one soldier and one horse instead of pairs of three soldiers and one chariot.
However, state Zhao could not conquer all the other states, unify China and establish an empire. Zhao was defeated by Qin in 260 BC in a great war called the Battle of Changping, since Qin also followed suit to set up its own cavalry. And, as Qin was closer to the western wilderness where horses were traditionally bred than Zhao, formerly a backward state Qin became one of the strongest states in ancient China.
But why was Zhao so doomed due to one defeat in the Battle of Changping? It was because Zhao lost 400,000 soldiers in this great Battle against rising Qin.
However, state Zhao could not conquer all the other states, unify China and establish an empire. Zhao was defeated by Qin in 260 BC in a great war called the Battle of Changping, since Qin also followed suit to set up its own cavalry. And, as Qin was closer to the western wilderness where horses were traditionally bred than Zhao, formerly a backward state Qin became one of the strongest states in ancient China.
But why was Zhao so doomed due to one defeat in the Battle of Changping? It was because Zhao lost 400,000 soldiers in this great Battle against rising Qin.
Zhao Kuo (of state Zhao) assumed command in July 260 BC of an army reinforced to approximately 400,000 men. Zhao Kuo took part of his army and attacked the Qin camp. Bai Qi responded with a Cannae manoeuvre. The first group of the Qin army withdrew toward the Qin fortress and drew Zhao Kuo after them. The second group of 25,000 cavalry, and 5,000 light cavalry with bows and crossbows, remained behind to spring the trap.
When the Zhao attack reached the Qin fortress, the Qin cavalry ambushed the Zhao Kuo's rear while the Qin light cavalry surrounded the Zhao fortress. With the enemy trapped Bai Qi ordered the Qin to counter-attack. The Zhao army was split in two and its supply lines cut. Zhao Kuo was unable to continue his attack or return to the Zhao fortress; his army dug in on a hill and awaited relief.
Since 295 BC, Zhao foreign policy had been dominated by opportunism and had frequently shifted between hezong (anti-Qin alliances) and lianheng (pro-Qin alliances). Thus, as the battle in Changping unfolded, Zhao was unable to secure support from either the State of Chu or the State of Qi. King Zhaoxiang of Qin used this opportunity to mobilize additional forces against Zhao from Henei, in modern-day Henan province; he bestowed one grade of noble rank to the population and ordered all men over the age of 15 to Changping to bolster the encirclement.
Zhao Kuo hill fortification was besieged for 46 days. In September, having run out of food and water, his desperate army made several unsuccessful attempts to breakout. The general was killed by Qin archers while leading his best troops. The Zhao army finally surrendered.
Bai Qi ordered the captured soldiers to be executed, presumably by being buried alive; the local population was hostile to Qin rule and he was afraid the captured soldiers would revolt. 240 of the youngest soldiers were released to spread terror in Zhao. Sima Qian claimed over 450,000 Zhao soldiers were killed during and after the battle. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang later built a temple over a collection of some of the human remains, and bones continue to be discovered on the site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Changping
So, the introduction of cavalry into China set the course of its history into the era of classic centralized empires but not of warring states.
But it was not the state which introduced the new war method first but the one which followed it with some crucial advantage that could make the best use of the new war technology cavalry before the era of the First Qin Emperor.
http://tupian.hudong.com/a0_32_00_01300000020798126620005170364_jpg.html
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Luk 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
So, the introduction of cavalry into China set the course of its history into the era of classic centralized empires but not of warring states.
But it was not the state which introduced the new war method first but the one which followed it with some crucial advantage that could make the best use of the new war technology cavalry before the era of the First Qin Emperor.
*** *** *** ***
Luk 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.