Taiping Rebellion began in China in 1850 during the Qing Dynasty and lasted for 14 years, ending in 1864. It is also known as Taiping civil war or Taiping revolution. The civil war was between Manchu-led Qing Dynasty and Hakka led Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

At that time, Qing Dynasty was in power which began in 1644 and which later be known as longest dynasty ruled by non-Han people, ending in 1912. Qing dynasty was led by Manchu people Machus are a Tungusic east Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in North East Asia who seized the control from Ming-dynasty which was already disliked by the people.

The same pattern was seen again.

During the period Taping Rebellion happened, a widespread unrest was on going due to famine, the government was facing economic problems and military weakening cause by the Opium war made the livelihood of the people difficult.

Treaty of Nanjing was signed between Great Britain and China for which China a paid a heavy price. By this treaty Hong Kong Island was given to Great Britain, China had to pay the compensation for the loss of Opium and most importantly it gave Britain free trade agreement in China. The sudden influx of goods disrupted many small businesses.

Foreign influence also began to appear in the society. Among the people who came under this influence or used it, Hong Xinquan was also present.

Hong Xinquan was born in 1814 and lived in Guangzhou. He did not pass the civil exam even after the third attempt and failed to secure a government position.

After returning home, he suddenly began telling others about the strange dream he had. He said that he dreamed that God had given him a mission and he established ‘Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’ (or more like a cult). Hong Xinquan soon announced himself to be a son of God and the younger brother of Jeus Christ.

GOD WORSHIPPERS AND EXPANSION OF ‘TAIPING HEAVENLY KINGDOM’

Of course, in such atmosphere it attracted unsatisfied people under the Qing Dynasty, especially peasants. The army grew to hundred thousand of people who were organized in a disciplined and strict manner and it was one of the main reasons for its success in many areas.

Hong did not practice Christianity but mix of religion of Christianity, Chinese and Buddhism, creating his own rules and identity.   

Hong introduced many rules like separation of men and women, and failing to follow them would lead to punishments. The ‘Heavenly Kingdom’ upended the social order of the country. The miliary expansion began in 1851 when the Qing army and ‘Heavenly Kingdom’ followers clashed for the first time.

Surprisingly, followers won their first battle and Yongan was seized under ‘Heavenly Kingdom’. His kingdom further expanded when Taiping captured Wuchang in January 1853 and then his army headed east to capture Nanjing.

In March 1853,Nanjing fell and Hong declared it as the ‘Heavenly Capital’ of his kingdom and began managing all the areas from Nanjing. Then he headed north under Northen Expedition to capture Beijing but failed. Taiping also attempted to capture Shanghai in 1861 but failed after being repulsed for 15 months.

Taiping Kingdom fell in 1864 though rest of the remaining army fell following years. It had happened because multiple reasons like the internal strife between the leaders of Heavenly Kingdom and the joint efforts of Qing army and European forces. Yes, the European supported despite themselves being engaged in war with Qing Dynasty previously.

Yang Xiuqing tried to seize power for himself but Hong Xinquan had him executed. The instable leadership and the evolved military tactics of Qing army defeated the ‘Heavenly Kingdom’.

Hong Xinquan died due to illness, his followers tried to revive the kingdom by proclaiming Hong Tianguifu as the new king but they had to be disappointed as fourteen-years old could do only little and died under Qing Dynasty.

Citations

Reilly, T.H (2004).The Taiping heavenly kingdom: rebellion and the blasphemy of empire. Seattle: University of Washington Press

Spence, J.D (1996). God’s Chinese son: the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan. New York : W.W. Norton & Company

Michael, F.H (1966). The Taiping Rebellion; history and documents. Seattle : University of Washington Press