The Shenjiying (), which directly translates to "Divine Machine Battalion", was one of

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

's three elite military divisions stationed around

Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...

collectively called the "Three Great Battalions" ( zh, t=三大營, p=Sān Dà Yíng, labels=no), and was famous for its utilization of

firearm A firearm is any type of gun that uses an explosive charge and is designed to be readily carried and operated by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see legal definitions). The first firearms originate ...

weaponries. Its name has also been variously rendered as Firearms Division, Artillery Camp, Shen-chi Camp and Firearm Brigade. Established during the reign of the Yongle Emperor (1360–1424), the Divine Machine Battalion was specifically created to specialize in firearm warfare. Later on the division provided half of Qi Jiguang's army with firearms and one cannon to every twelve soldiers. The other two elite brethren divisions around the capital were the Five Barracks Battalion ( zh, t=五軍營, p=Wǔjūn Yíng, labels=no), which drilled

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

in tactical manoeuvres; and the Three Thousand Battalion ( zh, t=三千營, p=Sānqiān Yíng, labels=no), which specialized in

reconnaissance In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...

, mounted combat and signalling. Firearms equipped included the fire lance, fire arrows, volley guns, cannons and

matchlock A matchlock or firelock is a historical type of firearm wherein the gunpowder is ignited by a burning piece of flammable cord or twine that is in contact with the gunpowder through a mechanism that the musketeer activates by pulling a lever or Tri ...

guns such as the arquebus. During the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

(1644–1912), which succeeded the Ming dynasty, the military division utilizing firearm weaponries was known as the Firearm Battalion ( zh, t=火器營, p=Huǒqì Yíng, labels=no). There was also a military unit called ''Shenjiying'' during the Qing dynasty but was known in English as the Peking Field Force. It was created in 1862 during the reign of Tongzhi Emperor and put in charge of protecting the

Forbidden City The Forbidden City () is the Chinese Empire, imperial Chinese palace, palace complex in the center of the Imperial City, Beijing, Imperial City in Beijing, China. It was the residence of 24 Ming dynasty, Ming and Qing dynasty, Qing dynasty L ...

References

{{Ming dynasty topics Military history of the Ming dynasty 14th century in China 14th-century conflicts Military units and formations of the Ming Dynasty Divisions of China Chinese warriors

See also

References