During the Qing Dynasty, encyclopedias were meticulously compiled to serve as comprehensive repositories of knowledge. These efforts reflected the dynasty’s commitment to preserving and expanding China’s intellectual and cultural heritage. The process involved careful selection, organization, and editing by scholars under imperial patronage. Here’s an overview:

1. Imperial Sponsorship

• Purpose: Encyclopedias were often commissioned by the emperor to consolidate knowledge, legitimize imperial authority, and promote cultural pride.

• Key Example: The “Siku Quanshu” (四库全书, Complete Library in Four Sections) was the largest collection of books in Chinese history, commissioned by Emperor Qianlong in 1772.

• Political Goals: The compilation process also served as a means of censoring subversive or anti-Qing materials.

2. Selection of Content

• Scholars gathered books and manuscripts from private collections, provincial libraries, and other sources.

• The content included diverse subjects such as Confucian classics, history, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, and the arts.

• Controversial or “unorthodox” texts were excluded or edited to align with Qing ideology.