Tobang
Encyclopedia
Tobang also written as Dobang, was a Koryo Dynasty private military unit that originated as the personal body guard for Gyeong Dae-seung
(慶大升). After the military revolt of the generals in 1170 during the reign of King Uijong of Goryeo
, a series of generals culminating in the Choe military dictators, held the real power in Koryo
. In their first year, General Lee GO (李高) was murdered by General Lee Euibang (李義方)who subsequently died at the hands of Jeong Gyeon (鄭筠). Jeong's father, Jeong Jung-bu (鄭仲夫), had led the general's revolt. Jeong Jung-bu next held sway for several years until he was overthrown by Gyeong Dae-seung.
Gyeong Dae-seung was the next to last general to seize power before the Choe family gained and consolidated military control for a longer period of time. Noting the great personal risk that had plagued the previous generals, Gyeong Dae-seung organized a personal bodyguard of 100 troops, known as the Tobang, which attended him at all times. The Tobang disbanded upon Gyeong Dae-seung's death but was reconstituted by Choe Chung-heon
崔忠獻 shortly after he came to power. Choe expanded the Tobang and divided it into six units (Yuk-beon 六番) which became known as the Yuk-beon Tobang 六番都房. This enabled a regular rotation of the guards. When Choe Lee 崔怡 came to power, his private army became known as the Inner Tobang (Nae Tobang, 內都房) and the Outer Tobang (We Tobang, 外都房).
Gyeong Dae-seung
Gyeong Dae-seung was the third major military dictators who ruled during the late period of the Goryeo Empire. Unlike his predecessors, General Gyeong was determined to fix the empire's problems and help the people prosper. His popularity with the people aroused the jealousy of Emperor Myeongjong...
(慶大升). After the military revolt of the generals in 1170 during the reign of King Uijong of Goryeo
Uijong of Goryeo
Emperor Uijong of Goryeo was the 18th monarch of the Goryeo dynasty of Korea. He honored his advisors with many ceremonies but hated the warriors, often forcing them to participate in martial arts competitions for the entertainment of himself and the civil officials, as well as assigning them...
, a series of generals culminating in the Choe military dictators, held the real power in Koryo
Koryo
Koryo may refer to:*The Goryeo Dynasty of Korea. It is spelt Koryŏ in McCune-Reischauer Romanization.*Koryo, a pumsae in Taekwondo.*Kōryō, Nara, a town in Japan.*Air Koryo, a North Korean airline company....
. In their first year, General Lee GO (李高) was murdered by General Lee Euibang (李義方)who subsequently died at the hands of Jeong Gyeon (鄭筠). Jeong's father, Jeong Jung-bu (鄭仲夫), had led the general's revolt. Jeong Jung-bu next held sway for several years until he was overthrown by Gyeong Dae-seung.
Gyeong Dae-seung was the next to last general to seize power before the Choe family gained and consolidated military control for a longer period of time. Noting the great personal risk that had plagued the previous generals, Gyeong Dae-seung organized a personal bodyguard of 100 troops, known as the Tobang, which attended him at all times. The Tobang disbanded upon Gyeong Dae-seung's death but was reconstituted by Choe Chung-heon
Choe Chung-heon
Choe Chung-heon was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period.Choe's father was a Grand General in the Goryeo military, hence precipitating his own entry into the military...
崔忠獻 shortly after he came to power. Choe expanded the Tobang and divided it into six units (Yuk-beon 六番) which became known as the Yuk-beon Tobang 六番都房. This enabled a regular rotation of the guards. When Choe Lee 崔怡 came to power, his private army became known as the Inner Tobang (Nae Tobang, 內都房) and the Outer Tobang (We Tobang, 外都房).