The History of War in Asia
Explores the campaigns of Asia's great historic warriors, such as Genghis Khan, Tamerlane (Timur), and Attila the Hun; also describes the course of more recent wars such as World Wars I and II, the Israeli-Arab Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.
The Battle of Badr, 624 CE
The Battle of Badr in March of 624 CE was small in scale, but it signaled the beginning of Islam's incredible expansion over the next two centuries. The Prophet Muhammad and his followers consolidated their position with a key victory over the people of Mecca.
The Battle of Badr in March of 624 CE was small in scale, but it signaled the beginning of Islam's incredible expansion over the next two centuries. The Prophet Muhammad and his followers consolidated their position with a key victory over the people of Mecca.
The Battle of Gaugamela (Arbela)
The Battle of Gaugamela, also known as Arbela, pitted the forces of Alexander the Great against the Achaemenid leader Darius III, in what is now Iran. This pivotal battle set Alexander on the path to conquest of much of southern Asia - and spelled doom for the Achaemenid Empire in Iran.
The Battle of Gaugamela, also known as Arbela, pitted the forces of Alexander the Great against the Achaemenid leader Darius III, in what is now Iran. This pivotal battle set Alexander on the path to conquest of much of southern Asia - and spelled doom for the Achaemenid Empire in Iran.
History of the Shaolin Monks
The monks of China's Shaolin Monastery are known for their fighting prowess, particularly in their own Shaolin style of kung fu. Learn more about this ancient monastery and its inhabitants.
The monks of China's Shaolin Monastery are known for their fighting prowess, particularly in their own Shaolin style of kung fu. Learn more about this ancient monastery and its inhabitants.
China's Shaolin Temple
At several points in the long recorded history of China, Buddhism has fallen out of favor with the ruling classes, and temples have been shut down or even burned to the ground.
One temple that has survived relatively well is the Shaolin Monastery in Henan Province - in part because the warrior monks of Shaolin have used their kung fu (gong fu) skills to fight for different emperor…
The Fighting Monks of Shaolin Temple vs. Japanese Pirates
Throughout the 1400s and 1500s, Japanese pirate bands raided up and down the Chinese coastline. The imperial army and navy were unable to stop the pirates, so they called in the fighting monks of Shaolin and other temples.
Throughout the 1400s and 1500s, Japanese pirate bands raided up and down the Chinese coastline. The imperial army and navy were unable to stop the pirates, so they called in the fighting monks of Shaolin and other temples.
The Battle of Ayn Jalut, 1260
The Battle of Ayn Jalut (or Ain Jalut) pitted the Mongols under Genghis Khan's grandson Hulagu against Egypt's professional warrior-slave class, the Mamluks.
The Battle of Ayn Jalut (or Ain Jalut) pitted the Mongols under Genghis Khan's grandson Hulagu against Egypt's professional warrior-slave class, the Mamluks.
Vietnam War Stories - Personal Memories of the Vietnam War
Were you in the Vietnam War? Tell us the story of your personal memories from that conflict.
Were you in the Vietnam War? Tell us the story of your personal memories from that conflict.
Timeline of the Korean War
At the close of World War II, the victorious Allied Powers did not know what to do with the Korean Peninsula. Korea had been a Japanese colony since the late nineteenth century, so westerners thought the country incapable of self-rule. The Korean people, however, were eager to re-establish an independent nation of Korea.
At the close of World War II, the victorious Allied Powers did not know what to do with the Korean Peninsula. Korea had been a Japanese colony since the late nineteenth century, so westerners thought the country incapable of self-rule. The Korean people, however, were eager to re-establish an independent nation of Korea.
Photo Gallery -- The Korean War
Photo gallery of the Korean War, 1950-1953.
Photo gallery of the Korean War, 1950-1953.
Timeline of the Vietnam War
Timeline of the Vietnam War (Second Indochina War). After World War II, France assumed that it would retake control of its colonial holdings in Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian people had different ideas, however. After France's defeat by the Vietnamese in the First Indochina War, the U.S. became embroiled in a second war, which Americans call the Vietnam War.
Timeline of the Vietnam War (Second Indochina War). After World War II, France assumed that it would retake control of its colonial holdings in Southeast Asia. The Southeast Asian people had different ideas, however. After France's defeat by the Vietnamese in the First Indochina War, the U.S. became embroiled in a second war, which Americans call the Vietnam War.
Photo Gallery of the Vietnam War
Gallery of pictures from the Vietnam War (Vietnam Conflict)
Gallery of pictures from the Vietnam War (Vietnam Conflict)
Profile of the Samurai
Profile of the samurai, medieval Japan's warrior class.
Profile of the samurai, medieval Japan's warrior class.
Profile of the Ninja
Spider-like figures in black scuttling over roof-tops in the dark, blades gleaming in their hands... This is the ninja of movies and comic books, but what is the historical reality behind the pop culture icon of The Ninja?
Spider-like figures in black scuttling over roof-tops in the dark, blades gleaming in their hands... This is the ninja of movies and comic books, but what is the historical reality behind the pop culture icon of The Ninja?
12 Asian Battles That Changed History
You probably haven't heard of most of them, but these little-known Asian battles had a major impact on world history. Mighty empires rose and fell, religions spread and were checked, and great kings led their forces to glory... or ruin.
You probably haven't heard of most of them, but these little-known Asian battles had a major impact on world history. Mighty empires rose and fell, religions spread and were checked, and great kings led their forces to glory... or ruin.
Battle of Talas River, 751 A.D.
The little-known but pivotal Battle of Talas River in 751 A.D. pitted the expanding Arab Moslem army against the forces of the Tang Dynasty Chinese Empire. China was defeated, which resulted in Central Asia becoming part of the Islamic world, and the diffusion of paper-making technology to the West.
The little-known but pivotal Battle of Talas River in 751 A.D. pitted the expanding Arab Moslem army against the forces of the Tang Dynasty Chinese Empire. China was defeated, which resulted in Central Asia becoming part of the Islamic world, and the diffusion of paper-making technology to the West.
The Battle of Hansan-do, 1592
In 1592, daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent his samurai army to invade Joseon Korea, on the way to conquering Ming China and then India. The Japanese Army never made it past Korea, though, and the naval Battle of Hansan-do was pivotal in turning back Hideyoshi’s troops.
In 1592, daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi sent his samurai army to invade Joseon Korea, on the way to conquering Ming China and then India. The Japanese Army never made it past Korea, though, and the naval Battle of Hansan-do was pivotal in turning back Hideyoshi’s troops.
The Battle of Geoktepe
In the late 1870s and early 1880s, Russia conquered Central Asia once and for all. Their most formidable foe was the Akhal Teke tribe of Turkmen (then called Turcomen). Two battles at Geok-tepe, in 1879 and 1881, were key to the Russian colonization of Central Asia.
In the late 1870s and early 1880s, Russia conquered Central Asia once and for all. Their most formidable foe was the Akhal Teke tribe of Turkmen (then called Turcomen). Two battles at Geok-tepe, in 1879 and 1881, were key to the Russian colonization of Central Asia.
Samurai Women of Japan
Upper-class women of feudal Japan learned how to use weapons to defend themselves and their homes. Some went much further, though, becoming great warriors in their own right.
Upper-class women of feudal Japan learned how to use weapons to defend themselves and their homes. Some went much further, though, becoming great warriors in their own right.
5 Legendary Warrior-Women of Asia
Throughout history, the field of war has been dominated by men. Nonetheless, in the face of extra-ordinary challenges, certain brave women have made their mark in battle. Here are five legendary women warriors of ancient times from across Asia.
Throughout history, the field of war has been dominated by men. Nonetheless, in the face of extra-ordinary challenges, certain brave women have made their mark in battle. Here are five legendary women warriors of ancient times from across Asia.
Vietnam War 101
A quick overview of the Vietnam War from About.com's Military History Guide.
A quick overview of the Vietnam War from About.com's Military History Guide.