Diversity in the Qing Dynasty

The Qing dynasty took an entirely different approach to diversity than any of the Islamic Empires. The Ottoman, Mughal, and Safavid Empires, no matter how lenient their laws that separated people of different religion or ethnicity from the general public, did have some rule or another that made those who were different into second class citizens. Although the Qing dynasty did seek to keep the royal line pure and have only their own in the government, they did truly seem to respect the culture and practices of the peoples whose lands they took. When they took the government, they made an effort to learn the local language and religious beliefs, and even continued to use a similar system of government. In the case of the Mongols, they tried to keep immigration from China outward to a minimum, in order to preserve the spirit and customs of the Mongols, that they mught be used as warriors. They also respected individuals that had been exalted in the local community before their arrival, exempting them from taxes and public services that were required of others. As Strayer tells us, they sought to unify. It is obvious that they begrudged their new subjects nothing in being different ethnically, culturally, or religiously. They saw only the finest in all of these peoples and looked for a way to use them to best advantage. In this way, the Qing dynasty was both open and extremely practical.