Trưng sisters facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Trưng Sisters
The Trưng sisters ride elephants into battle in this Đông Hồ style painting.
Vietnamese	Hai Bà Trưng
Hán-Nôm	𠄩婆徵
Literal meaning	Two ladies Trưng

The Trưng sisters (Vietnamese: Hai Bà Trưng, meaning "Two Ladies Trưng") were brave Vietnamese leaders. They ruled for three years after leading a rebellion in AD 40. This rebellion was against the Chinese rule over their land. They are seen as national heroines of Vietnam.

Their names were Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị. Trưng Trắc was the older sister. She was the first woman to be a Vietnamese ruler. She was also the only queen in the early history of Vietnam. She was given the title Queen Trưng.

The sisters were born in a rural area of northern Vietnam. This region was then called Jiaozhi and was part of the Han dynasty of China. We don't know their exact birth dates. However, we know they both died around AD 43. This was after fighting against a large Chinese army.

The Trưng sisters received a good education from their father. They were skilled in both reading and writing, and in martial arts. They were also in line to inherit their father's land and titles.

Why the Trưng Sisters Fought

The Trưng sisters lived during a time when China's Han dynasty controlled Vietnam. Before this, a general named Zhao Tuo had created a state called Nanyue. This state included parts of Vietnam. In 111 BC, the Han dynasty took over Nanyue. They set up nine areas, called commanderies, to rule the region. Three of these were in what is now northern Vietnam. Local tribes often rebelled against the Han rulers. The Trưng sisters led one of the most famous revolts in AD 40.

The Sisters' Story and Rebellion

The Trưng sisters came from a wealthy and important family. Their father was a local leader in Mê Linh district. Trưng Trắc's husband, Thi Sách, was also a local leader.

The Chinese governor of Jiaozhi province, Su Ding, was known for being very harsh. He treated the local people badly. Thi Sách was a strong-willed person. Governor Su Ding tried to control him. Some records say he even tried to have Thi Sách killed.

Trưng Trắc encouraged her husband and other local leaders to take action. She became a key figure in uniting the Vietnamese people against the Chinese. In March of AD 40, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị led the Vietnamese people to rise up. They rebelled against the Han dynasty.

The rebellion started in the Red River Delta. It quickly spread to many other Vietnamese groups. Chinese settlements were taken over, and Governor Su Ding had to run away. The uprising gained support from about sixty-five towns. Trưng Trắc was then declared queen.

In AD 42, the Han emperor sent a general named Ma Yuan with 20,000 soldiers. Their mission was to stop the rebellion. The sisters' revolt was defeated the next year. General Ma Yuan captured Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị. They died fighting for their country.

How History Remembers Them

The main historical record about the Trưng sisters is the Book of the Later Han. This book was written in the 5th century. It tells the history of the Han Dynasty. Another important source is the Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư (Complete Annals of Dai Viet). This book was finished in 1479 and is a key Vietnamese historical text.

What Vietnamese Records Say

The Complete Annals of Dai Viet describes the Trưng Sisters' rebellion. It says that Governor Su Ding was greedy and violent. Queen Trưng then gathered troops and attacked.

The book states that Queen Trưng reigned for three years. It describes her as remarkably strong and brave. She drove out Su Ding and became queen. Her capital was Mê Linh.

In AD 40, Queen Trưng was angry because Governor Su Ding used harsh laws. She also held a grudge against him for what happened to her husband. So, she and her younger sister Nhị rose up. They captured the main city. Su Ding was forced to flee. Many other regions joined them. She took over 65 cities and declared herself Queen.

In AD 41, the Han court saw that Lady Trưng had become queen. She had captured cities and caused problems. So, the Han emperor ordered his armies to prepare. They got wagons, boats, and supplies ready. General Ma Yuan was sent to invade.

In AD 42, Ma Yuan's army advanced. They reached a place called Lãng Bạc. They battled with the queen. She saw that the enemy's army was very large. She felt her own army was not organized enough to win. So, she pulled back. Her army also thought that a woman could not win, and they scattered.

In AD 43, Queen Trưng and her younger sister fought against the Han army. They were defeated and died. Ma Yuan then chased down the remaining rebels.

The local people admired and mourned the Trưng Queens. They built temples to worship them.

Lê Văn Hưu, a historian from the Trần dynasty, wrote about the sisters. He said that Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị were women. Yet, with one cry, they united many regions. They easily created a nation and became queens. He said this showed that Vietnamese people have the potential to be great leaders. He felt ashamed that Vietnamese men for over a thousand years had been servants to the Chinese.

Ngô Sĩ Liên, a chief compiler of the Annals, also wrote about them. He said Lady Trưng was angered by the Chinese ruler. With her strength, she almost rebuilt the Vietnamese nation. Her bravery helped build the nation. Even after her death, she was believed to prevent disasters. People prayed to her during floods or droughts, and their prayers were answered. He said the younger Trưng sister was the same. She had the spirit of a noble person. Her brave spirit lives on, even though her body is gone.

The Trưng Sisters' Importance Today

The Trưng Sisters are highly respected in Vietnam. They led the first major resistance against Chinese rule. This was after 247 years of foreign control.

National Heroes of Vietnam

Many temples are dedicated to the Trưng sisters. There is a yearly holiday in February to remember their deaths. A central district in Hanoi is named Hai Bà Trưng District after them. Many streets and schools also bear their names. Their stories are taught in children's school books.

The stories of the Trưng Sisters and another woman warrior, Lady Triệu, suggest something important. Some historians believe that before Chinese influence, Vietnamese society might have been more equal for women. Women could take on leadership roles without barriers.

Even after almost 2000 years, the Trưng Sisters' rebellion is still important in Vietnam. They are a national symbol. They represent Vietnam's independence and strength. They are often shown riding two large war elephants. They are seen leading their followers into battle against the Chinese. The Trưng sisters are powerful symbols of Vietnamese resistance and freedom.

Temples Dedicated to the Sisters

Temples for the Trưng Sisters, also known as Hai Bà Trưng Temples, have existed for a long time. The most famous temple is in Hanoi. It is near Hoàn Kiếm Lake. A king built this temple in 1158.

Legend says that during a severe drought, the king asked a monk to pray at the temple. It rained the next day, saving the kingdom. The king also dreamed of the two sisters riding an iron horse. When he woke up, he ordered the temple to be beautifully decorated. He also performed a special ceremony for the sisters. Other Hai Bà Trưng temples can be found in different parts of Vietnam.

Women's Role in History

Some historical texts from Vietnam blamed the defeat of the rebellion on the fact that women were in charge. They suggested that rebels left because they didn't believe they could win under women's leadership. These texts sometimes made fun of men for doing nothing while "mere girls" led the revolt. However, this was not meant to praise women or say war was women's work. It was meant to shame the men.

Songs About Their Bravery

A patriotic song called Hát Giang trường hận (Long Hatred on Hát River) was written about the Trưng sisters. It was later changed into another song, Hồn tử sĩ (Soul of the Martyred Soldier). This song is often used at state funerals. It still mentions the Trưng sisters' rebellion.

Images for kids

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  Trưng Sisters, national heroines of Viet Nam are honoured with a parade of elephants and floats in Saigon, 1961

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  Procession of elephants in the Trưng Sisters' Parade in Saigon, 1957

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  A statue of the Trưng Sisters in Ho Chi Minh City

See also

In Spanish: Hermanas Trưng para niños