The fall of Anqing to Qing forces in 1861 removed the Taiping's central China stronghold and opened the path for the imperial campaign against the Taiping capital at Nanjing.
Key Facts
- Siege duration
- September 1860 to September 5, 1861
- Hunan Army siege force
- Up to 10,000 troops
- Taiping relief army
- Over 100,000 under Chen Yucheng
- Manchu cavalry interception
- 20,000 elite cavalry at Tongcheng
- Taiping held city since
- June 1853
- City breached
- September 5, 1861
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Anqing had been held by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom since June 1853 and served as their operational base in Anhui, Hubei, and Hunan. Its position on the Yangtze gave the Taiping control over river access to their capital at Nanjing. Qing commander Zeng Guofan judged that retaking the city was essential to advancing the imperial campaign along the Yangtze River.
Beginning in late 1860, Hunan Army forces under Zeng Guoquan besieged Anqing with up to 10,000 troops. A Taiping relief force of over 100,000 under Chen Yucheng was intercepted and turned back at Tongcheng. British diplomatic support enabled a naval blockade cutting off rebel supplies. By late August 1861, the starving city's final relief attempt was repelled at Jixian Pass, and on September 5, 1861, imperial forces breached the walls.
With Anqing taken, the Taiping lost their principal stronghold in central China. Zeng Guofan established the city as his new headquarters and used it to coordinate the subsequent imperial assault on the Taiping capital at Nanjing, decisively shifting momentum in the Taiping Rebellion toward the Qing Dynasty.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Zeng Guoquan, Zeng Guofan.
Side B
1 belligerent
Chen Yucheng.