Abstracts History

Aspects of the systems of military logistics during the Song dynasty (960-1278 A.D.) : the procurement of horses, military agricultural colonies, and the imperial ordnance industry

by Alvin Chin-Wai Chung

This thesis provides an institutional study of three elements of the systems of military logistics in the Song dynasty (960 – 1278 A.D.): the procurement of horses, the military agricultural colonies, and the imperial ordnance industry. While one of the main objectives of this thesis is to throw light on the importance of the logistical efforts of the Song army, this thesis also attempts to reveal the connections between the military establishment and the political and socio-economic realities of the Song period. On the basis of an examination of the effects of commercialization on Songs logistical agencies as well as these agencies' political relations with civil officials, this thesis argues that the civil officials' attempts at maintaining political dominance over the military establishment as well as certain effects of commercialization of the Song economy were the two most prominent factors that undermined the operation of the Songs military logistical systems.