Hong Xiuquan

Reign: 1851 – 1864
Life: 1814–1864

He established the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over large portions of southern China, with himself as its "Heavenly King". He rejected Confucianism and began propagating a fusion of Christianity, Daoism and millenarianism, which Hong presented as a restoration of the ancient Chinese faith in Shangdi. His associate Feng Yunshan then founded the God Worshipping Society to spread Hong's teachings. By 1850, Hong's sect had over 10,000 followers and increasingly came into conflict with Qing authorities.

During Hong Xiuquan's reign, Isabella II of Spain ruled Spain, William III of the Netherlands ruled Netherlands, and Franz Joseph I of Austria ruled Austria.

Want to learn more? Further reading

China: A History by John Keay

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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.

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