599-649

Chinese emperor and cofounder of the T'ang Dynasty, noted for his reforms in agriculture and other aspects of Chinese life. Born Li Shih-min, in 626 he usurped his father, the first T'ang emperor Kao Tsu (r. 618-626). As emperor he expanded China's borders, greatly reformed the civil-service system, redistributed land, and patronized the arts and sciences. Under his rule, T'ang China was one of the most efficiently governed nations in the world, and the arts and sciences flourished.