Investigating censors (Chinese: 監察御史; lit. 'Monitoring & Investigating Royal Scribes/historians') were Censorate officials in imperial China's civil bureaucracy between the Sui (581–618) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. They were in charge of investigations and impeachment, including duties such as:
- gather complaints from the people
- review the handling of prisoners
- impeach officials for misconduct
Investigating censor | |||||||||
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Traditional Chinese | 監察御史 | ||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 监察御史 | ||||||||
Literal meaning | Monitoring & Investigating Royal Scribe/historian | ||||||||
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Since the Yuan dynasty, investigating censors were also authorized to submit remonstrances or suggestions about the emperor's conduct or policies.
References
edit- Hucker, Charles O. (1985). A Dictionary of Official Titles in Imperial China. Stanford University Press. pp. 145–146. ISBN 0-8047-1193-3.