About this episode

This episode discusses the challenges faced by the God-Worshippers during the Taiping Rebellion amidst natural disasters and the call to action from their leader.

The God-Worshippers of Thistle Mountain managed to survive their first test — but now the world itself seems dead-set on finishing the job. When unprecedented rains lead to flooding, famine, and pestilence across southern China, the last institutions holding things together collapse, leaving those on the margins to their own survival. Until, that is, the divine summons of the Second Son of God calls them — one and all — to the village of Jintian, a bold maneuver that will force a response from the Qing dynasty itself.Time Period Covered:1849-1851 CE Major Historical Figures:God-Worshippers/Taiping:Hong Xiuquan, prophet, Heavenly King [1814–1864]Feng Yunshan, chief evangelist and architect of the God-Worshipping Society [1815–1852]Yang Xiuqing, Eastern King, Voice of God the Father [d. 1856]Xiao Chaogui, Western King, Voice of Jesus Christ [d. 1852]Lo Daguo, Triad chief, Taiping recruit [fl. 1850–1851]Qing Dynasty:Lin Zexu, Imperial Commissioner [1785–1850]Ikedanbu, Manchu Colonel [d. January 1, 1851] Major Sources Cited:Hamberg, Theodore. The Visions of Hung-Siu-tshuen and the Origin of the Kwang-si InsurrectionKuhn, Philip A. "Ch. 6, The Taiping Rebellion" in The Cambridge…

People in this episode

Host: Chris Stewart

Topics covered

• Taiping Rebellion
• Qing Dynasty
• famine
• flooding
• religious movements
• survival

Keywords

• Taiping Rebellion
• Hong Xiuquan
• famine
• flooding
• Qing Dynasty
• God-Worshippers
• religious movements

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: God-Worshippers, Qing Dynasty

Books & works: The Visions of Hung-Siu-tshuen and the Origin of the Kwang-si Insurrection, Ch. 6, The Taiping Rebellion, Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom, God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan

More episodes of The History of China

• #326 - Taiping 3: The Image-Breakers · April 21, 2026 · 36 min
• #325 - Taiping 2: The God Worshippers · April 15, 2026 · 43 min
• #324 - Taiping 1: The Second Son of God · April 7, 2026 · 39 min
• Intelligent Speech 2026 - Nemesis, Mine · March 31, 2026 · 41 min
• #323 - Opium War 8: Perfect Equality · March 26, 2026 · 44 min
• #322 - Opium War 7: The Throat of the Empire · March 19, 2026 · 47 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The History of China podcast page.