Which major infrastructural project was completed during the Ming Dynasty?

• A. The Great Wall
• B. The Grand Canal
• C. The Silk Road
• D. The Forbidden City

Answer: (B)

The Grand Canal, while initially begun in earlier periods, saw significant enhancements and completion during the Ming Dynasty. This massive engineering project was crucial for improving transportation and trade throughout China. The Ming Dynasty's focus on internal commerce and strengthening the economy made the Grand Canal vital, as it facilitated the movement of grain and other goods between the agricultural southern regions and the northern capitals.

The enhancements to the Grand Canal under the Ming, including the construction of new sections and repairs to existing ones, reflect the dynasty's priorities in integrating the country's economy and consolidating its political power. Thus, while the Great Wall and the Forbidden City are also significant achievements of the Ming era, they do not represent the same type of extensive infrastructural network and functionality that the Grand Canal does in terms of facilitating trade and communication across the empire. The Silk Road, while historically important for trade, had its prominence in earlier periods and was not a project of the Ming Dynasty itself.