The West Outer Court of Forbidden City
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Wuyingdian (Hall of Martial Valor)
Located west of the Outer Court, lies the hall of martial Valor. The hall mimics the Hall for Literary Glory located in the East Outer Court area. The Hall for Literary Glory was dedicated towards literature, whereas the Hall of Martial Valor was dedicated towards military.
The hall was originally the residence of the Emperor. The residence was then moved to the hall of Literary Glory before being moved to the Palace of Heavenly Glory and then to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The hall was used at the end of the Ming Dynasty by the rebel leader who ousted the Ming Dynasty as his base of operation. The Manchu armies came and wrested control of Beijing from the rebel army and started The Qing Dynasty. During The Qing Dynasty small ceremonies and religious rites were held in the hall and during the reign of Emperor Kangxi, the hall was used to produce imperial edition books. During the Reign of Emperor Tongzhi, the hall caught fire and the books stored within were lost and the hall was rebuilt.
The Hall of Martial Valor is now The Forbidden City’s Painting Gallery and exhibits a revolving display of priceless paintings.
