Detail: Founded in 1368 and fell in 1644, the Ming dynasty spanned a period of 276 years during which 16 emperors ascended the throne. It was the last unified and centralised dynasty ruled by the Han Chinese after the Tang and the Song dynasties. In the early 15th century when the overall national strength of the Ming dynasty reached its apogee, the empire was the number one power in Asia and even in the world. Among its colossal enterprises were the construction of the two capitals of Nanjing and Beijing, and the imperial palace at the Forbidden City; the restoration of the Great Wall and the compilation of Yongle dadian (Comprehensive compendium of the Yongle reign). These have become the symbols of the brilliant civilisations of China.