Investigating censor
| Investigating censor | |||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 監察御史 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 监察御史 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Monitoring & Investigating Royal Scribe/historian | ||||||||
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Investigating censors (Chinese: 監察御史; lit. 'Monitoring & Investigating Royal Scribes/historians') were Censorate officials in imperial China's civil bureaucracy between the Sui (581–618) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties. They were in charge of investigations and impeachment, including duties such as:
- gather complaints from the people
- review the handling of prisoners
- impeach officials for misconduct
Since the Yuan dynasty, investigating censors were also authorized to submit remonstrances or suggestions about the emperor's conduct or policies.