He inherited a dynasty that faced not only internal but also foreign challenges. Yizhu succeeded the throne in 1850, at age 19, and was a relatively young emperor. Yizhu was reputed to have an ability in literature and administration which surpassed most of his brothers, which impressed his father, who therefore decided to make him his successor. His mother was the Noble Consort Quan, of the Manchu Niohuru clan, who was made Empress in 1834, and is known posthumously as Empress Xiaoquancheng.
He was from the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, and was the fourth son of the Daoguang Emperor. Yizhu was born in 1831 at the Old Summer Palace, eight kilometres northwest of Beijing. After his death, the Qing dynasty was controlled by Empress Dowager Cixi. He was the last Chinese emperor to have total executive ruling power. During his reign the Qing dynasty experienced several wars and rebellions including the Taiping Rebellion, Nian Rebellion, and Second Opium War (Arrow War). The Xianfeng Emperor (17 July 1831 – 22 August 1861), or by temple name Emperor Wenzong of Qing ( 清文宗), given name Yizhu ( 奕詝), was the eighth Emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the seventh Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigned from 1850 to 1861.
Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Manchu alphabet. Mongolian: Түгээмэл Элбэгт ( ᠲᠦᠭᠡᠮᠡᠯ ᠡᠯᠪᠡᠭᠲᠦ)Įmperor Xietian Yiyun Zhizhong Chuimo Maode Zhenwu Shengxiao Yuangong Duanren Kuanmin Zhuangjian Xian