
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 most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Frederick William III of Prussia
Prussia
1797–1840

Francis I of Austria
Austria
1804–1835

Alexander I of Russia
Russia
1801–1825

Louis XVIII of France
France
1814–1815; 1815–1824

Selim III
Ottoman Empire
1789–1807

Tokugawa Ienari
Japan (Shogunate)
1787–1837

George III of Great Britain
Great Britain
1760–1801

Paul I of Russia
Russia
1796–1801

Emperor Kōkaku
Japan
1779–1817

Pope Pius VII
Papacy
1800–1823

Maria I of Portugal
Portugal
1777–1816

William I of the Netherlands
Netherlands
1815–1840

Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Austria
1804–1835

Frederick William II of Prussia
Prussia
1786–1797

Akbar Shah II
Mughal Empire
1806–1837

Charles IV of Spain
Spain
1788–1808; 1808–1808

Mahmud II
Ottoman Empire
1808–1839

Napoleon I
France
1799–1804; 1804–1814; 1815–1815

Shah Alam II
Mughal Empire
1760–1788; 1788–1806

Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Empire
1792–1806

Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden
Sweden
1792–1809

Ferdinand VII of Spain
Spain
1808–1808; 1814–1833

Joseph Bonaparte
Spain
1808–1813

Charles XIII of Sweden
Sweden
1809–1818

John VI of Portugal
Portugal
1816–1826

Mustafa IV
Ottoman Empire
1807–1808

Emperor Ninkō
Japan
1817–1846

Pope Pius VI
Papacy
1775–1799

Charles XIV John of Sweden
Sweden
1818–1844
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
Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Recommended read
John Keay
Keay's sweeping narrative from the Shang dynasty to the People's Republic in one readable volume.
Some book links on this site point to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, WhoWasRuling.com may earn from qualifying purchases.