Yongli Emperor

Reign: 1646 – 1662
Life: 1623–1662

He led the remnants of the Ming loyalists with the assistance of peasant armies to resist the Qing forces in southwestern China, but he was then forced to exile to Toungoo Burma and eventually captured and executed by Wu Sangui in 1662. His era name "Yongli" means "perpetual calendar". The true beneficiaries of the collapse of the Ming were the Qing dynasty, ruled by the emerging nation Manchus from Manchuria. After mass defection from Ming remnants, including a former Ming general, Wu Sangui, who allowed the Qing forces to pass the Ming Great Wall against Li Zicheng, the Qing forces defeated the peasant armies and rapidly expanded to northern China, the Lower Yangtze valley, and Central China.

During Yongli Emperor's reign, Louis XIV of France ruled France, Mehmed IV ruled Ottoman Empire, and Shah Jahan ruled Mughal Empire.

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.

Meanwhile in history

One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.

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