Hong Xiuquan

Hong Xiuquan proclaimed the establishment of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in Jintian, Guangxi. He declared himself the Heavenly King and younger brother of Jesus Christ, initiating a rebellion that would become the deadliest civil war in history.

Taiping forces under Hong Xiuquan captured Nanjing, making it the capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The city was renamed Tianjing (Heavenly Capital) and became the center of Taiping rule for over a decade.

Hong Xiuquan promulgated the Land System of the Heavenly Dynasty, which aimed to redistribute land equally among peasants and establish communal ownership. The reform was partially implemented but disrupted by war and internal conflicts.

Hong Xiuquan died in Nanjing during the final Qing siege of the city. His death, from illness or suicide, occurred just before the fall of the Taiping capital, leading to the collapse of the rebellion.