Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, or the Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace (1851–1864), was a theocraticmonarchy that sought to overthrow the Qing dynasty. The Heavenly Kingdom, or Heavenly Dynasty, was led by Hong Xiuquan, a Hakka man from Guangzhou. The kingdom's capital was established in Tianjing, present-day Nanjing. The unsuccessful 14-year war the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom waged against the Qing is known as the Taiping Rebellion.

The self-proclaimed younger brother of Jesus Christ and convert to ProtestantChristianity, Hong Xiuquan led an army that controlled a significant part of southern China during the middle of the 19th century. Under his leadership, the Taiping movement expanded to an area populated by nearly 30 million people. The rebel kingdom announced social reforms and the replacement of traditional cults for his own Bài Shàngdì Huì (Supreme Emperor Worshipping Society), holding that he was the second son of Heavenly Father and the Heavenly Mother; however, it is uncertain whether he meant this literally or metaphorically. The Taiping areas were besieged by Qing forces throughout most of the rebellion. The Qing government defeated the rebellion with the eventual aid of French and British forces.