The construction of the Great Wall of China was ordered by the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BCE). The wall was built and maintained to guard against invasions from nomadic tribes to the north and west of China.
At the time, Qin Shi Huang was consolidating his empire and unifying land under a single currency. He believed that the Great Wall would be an effective barrier against foreign threats and the unification of states would be easier with more centralized protection.
In 221 BCE, Emperor Qin Shi Huang declared himself the “First August Emperor” of the Qin dynasty and began the construction of the Great Wall. He appointed a chancellor, Li Si, to oversee the project. Historians believe that up to one million laborers were employed during the project’s peak, working for years to complete the estimated 5,500 miles of the wall.
The original version of the Great Wall was different from the one we know today. It was made of earth and stone materials, with the addition of watchtowers along the length. Its purpose was mainly defensive, but it also served as a symbol of imperial authority and unification. Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb guarded by a terracotta army was also located near the wall for further protection.
During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), the Great Wall was expanded and modified multiple times. It became a great complex that included gates, roads, walls and fortresses stretching out across the country. The wall served various empires throughout its existence, becoming a powerful symbol of unity, strength and resistance.
In modern times, much of the original Great Wall of China is in ruins. It remains, however, as a testimony to the vast architectural achievement of the Qin Dynasty and an enduring symbol of Chinese culture and history.