晚清时期典当业发展初探

Decline and Recovery of Pawnbroking in Late Qing Dynasty

典当业作为古老的金融行业,在清代中期发展至顶峰。然而到了晚清时期,典当业因战乱、税负增加和资金来源减少等原因而逐渐衰落。通过研究发现,晚清时期典当业由于深受社会依赖,在政府、官绅、百姓的强烈需求下逐渐复苏。这种复苏体现了典当业在中国传统金融行业中的不可动摇的地位。

Pawnbroking,as the one of the oldest financial business,developed to the peak in Mid-Qing Dynasty.However,in late Qing dynasty,pawnbroking gradually declined due to warfare,heavy tax,decreased source of funds,etc.It is found out that pawnbroking gradually recovered later as it was heavily relied on and needed by the government,gentry,and ordinary people.This recovery reflects the key position of pawnbroking in traditional financial industry of China.