Chen Sheng was born in the state of Chu during the Warring States Period. He was a commoner and was treated badly by the aristocrats. He worked as a swineherd before joining the army. In 209 BCE, he led a revolt known as the Dazexiang Uprising against the Qin Dynasty, which ruled China at the time.
The Dazexiang Uprising
Chen Sheng and his follower, Wu Guang, had planned to attack the Qin officials stationed in Dazexiang. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, they failed to meet up with their allies and proceeded with a smaller force. They were easily defeated by the Qin army, and Chen Sheng was captured and executed. Nonetheless, the failed Dazexiang Uprising marked the beginning of the popular uprising against the Qin Dynasty, and it inspired other revolts throughout China.
The Legacy of Chen Sheng
Chen Sheng's story inspired many rebels in Chinese history, including Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty, and Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China. In 196 BC, Liu Bang, who was also a commoner, defeated the Qin army and established the Han Dynasty. Chen Sheng's story of social mobility and rebellion against an unjust government has become a legend in Chinese culture and symbolizes the people's struggle for freedom and equality.
The Importance of the Dazexiang Uprising
The Dazexiang Uprising and Chen Sheng's story represent the resistance of the common people against an oppressive government. The uprising initiated a series of revolts that brought down the Qin Dynasty, ending the Warring States Period and marking the beginning of a new era in Chinese history. The struggle of Chen Sheng and his followers symbolizes the human quest for justice and the fight against tyranny, inspiring generations of revolutionaries to come.