Taiping Heavenly Kingdom History Museum
History
The garden that surrounds the museum was once "Enthusiasm Garden" or "Zhan Garden" of the first ruler of the Ming Dynasty, Hongwu (1328-1398). In 1853, it became the residence of Yang Xiuqing, a military leader in the Taiping Rebellion. During the rebellion, Nanjing was captured by the rebels and used as its headquarters until 1864, when Qing forces took the city in the Third Battle of Nanjing.
Museum
In 1958, it became the site of the current museum. The museum has artifacts from the rebellion, including: Taiping currency, weapons, uniforms, and documents about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom ideology, which was based upon an idiosyncratic version of Christianity. Hong Xiuquan believed he was Christ's younger brother, ordered by God to exterminate China's Manchu rulers, whom he decried as demons.
Gallery
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A map showing the defense of Beijing during the Period of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
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The Coin of Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace
See also
References
- ^ DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: China Archived 2018-08-25 at the Wayback Machine. DK Publishing; 1 June 2012. ISBN 978-0-7566-9328-2. p. 222.