Fuk'anggan Commemorative Stele

The Fuk'anggan Commemorative Stele, personally commissioned by Emperor Qianlong to praise meritorious deeds, is widely renowned. The stele, erected on a stone tortoise base, is quite magnificent. While steles mounted on stone tortoise bases are common throughout China, they are rare in Taiwan, with only a few remaining in places like Tainan. Beyond its rarity, this stele is significant because it connects to a crucial period in Taiwan's history—the Lin Shuangwen Rebellion. Notably, Zhuluo County was renamed "Chiayi" by the Emperor himself due to this event, making it the only place name in Taiwan personally bestowed by an emperor. In the 51st year of Qianlong (1786), Lin Shuangwen launched an uprising in Changhua, killing the Changhua magistrate. He then marched south, capturing Zhuluo (Chiayi) County and Fengshan County, causing widespread unrest throughout Taiwan. Thanks to the courageous efforts of Taiwan's General Soldier Chai Daji, he not only defended Tainan Prefecture but also recaptured Zhuluo County in the first month of the 52nd year of Qianlong (1787). However, Lin Shuangwen's forces regrouped and continued to besiege Zhuluo City. The fighting was fierce, and the situation was precarious. In the tenth month of the same year, Emperor Qianlong dispatched General Fuk'anggan, a veteran of many battles, to reinforce Taiwan. Fuk'anggan successfully defeated Lin Shuangwen, lifting the siege of Zhuluo City. Afterward, due to the commendable bravery of Zhuluo City's soldiers and civilians in defending the city, its name was specially changed to Chiayi. In the 53rd year of Qianlong (1788), the Emperor personally commissioned ten commemorative steles with tortoise bases to honor Fuk'anggan's military achievements. Four of these steles were entirely inscribed in Manchu, four entirely in Han Chinese, and two in a combination of Han Chinese and Manchu. One of the steles inscribed in both Han Chinese and Manchu was designated for Chiayi, while the other nine were to be erected in Tainan Prefecture. The steles and their auspicious tortoise bases were carved in Xiamen. Upon their arrival at the port of Tainan Prefecture for unloading, one of the tortoise bases accidentally fell into the harbor. Consequently, a replica made of sandstone was crafted for Chiayi. The stele base was moved several times before finally being placed at its current location. (The tortoise base that fell into the harbor was recovered by Tainan fishermen in 1911 and is now enshrined in Tainan's Bao'an Temple). Fuk'anggan Commemorative Stele Brief File: Dimensions: Stele height 310 cm, width 143 cm. Form: Imperial text inscribed on the forehead, double dragon motifs, border adorned with dragon patterns, combination of Manchu and Chinese script. Construction date: 53rd year of Qianlong (1788 AD).