Recommended read
China: A History
John Keay
Keay's sweeping narrative from the Shang dynasty to the People's Republic in one readable volume.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Nicholas I of Russia
Russia
1825–1855
Francis I of Austria
Austria
1804–1835
Isabella II of Spain
Spain
1833–1868
Frederick William III of Prussia
Prussia
1797–1840
William I of the Netherlands
Netherlands
1815–1840
Louis XVIII of France
France
1814–1815; 1815–1824
Maria II of Portugal
Portugal
1826–1828; 1834–1853
Ferdinand I of Austria
Austria
1835–1848
Frederick William IV of Prussia
Prussia
1840–1861
Alexander I of Russia
Russia
1801–1825
Emperor Ninkō
Japan
1817–1846
William II of the Netherlands
Netherlands
1840–1849
Mahmud II
Ottoman Empire
1808–1839
Charles XIV John of Sweden
Sweden
1818–1844
Akbar Shah II
Mughal Empire
1806–1837
Victoria
Great Britain
1837–1901
Ferdinand VII of Spain
Spain
1808–1808; 1814–1833
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Austria
1804–1835
Tokugawa Ienari
Japan (Shogunate)
1787–1837
Bahadur Shah Zafar
Mughal Empire
1837–1857
Pope Gregory XVI
Papacy
1831–1846
Abdülmecid I
Ottoman Empire
1839–1861
George IV of the United Kingdom
Great Britain
1820–1830
Tokugawa Ieyoshi
Japan (Shogunate)
1837–1853
William IV of the United Kingdom
Great Britain
1830–1837
Charles X of France
France
1824–1830
Miguel I of Portugal
Portugal
1828–1834
John VI of Portugal
Portugal
1816–1826
Pope Leo XII
Papacy
1823–1829
Emperor Kōmei
Japan
1846–1867
Oscar I of Sweden
Sweden
1844–1859
Pope Pius IX
Papacy
1846–1878
Pope Pius VII
Papacy
1800–1823
Pope Pius VIII
Papacy
1829–1830
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
By subscribing you agree to receive emails from us. See our Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe any time.
From the library
Go deeper on Daoguang Emperor
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.
Some book links on this site point to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, WhoWasRuling.com may earn from qualifying purchases.