Qianlong Emperor 乾隆帝 |
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6th Qing Emperor of China | |||||||||||||
Reign | 8 October 1735 – 9 February 1796 | ||||||||||||
Predecessor | Yongzheng Emperor | ||||||||||||
Successor | Jiaqing Emperor | ||||||||||||
Monarchy | 8 October 1735 – 7 February 1799 | ||||||||||||
Born |
Beijing |
25 September 1711||||||||||||
Died | 7 February 1799 Beijing |
(aged 87)||||||||||||
Burial | Eastern Qing Tombs, Zunhua, Tangshan, Hebei, China | ||||||||||||
Empress |
Empress Xiaoxianchun Ulanara, the Step Empress Empress Xiaoyichun |
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Imperial Noble Consort |
Imperial Noble Consort Huixian Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin Imperial Noble Consort Chunhui Imperial Noble Consort Shujia Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong |
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Issue among others... |
Yonghuang, Prince Ding Yonglian, Crown Prince Duanhui Gulun Princess Hejing Yongzhang, Prince Xun Yongcheng, Prince Lü Yongqi, Prince Rong Yongrong, Prince Zhi Heshuo Princess Hejia Yongcong, Prince Zhe Yongxuan, Prince Yi Yongxing, Prince Cheng Yongqi, Beile Yongjing Gulun Princess Hejing Yonglu Heshuo Princess Heke Yongyan, Prince Jia Yonglin, Prince Qing Gulun Princess Hexiao |
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House | Aisin-Gioro | ||||||||||||
Father | Yongzheng Emperor | ||||||||||||
Mother | Empress Xiaoshengxian |
Full name | |
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Chinese: Aixin-Jueluo Hongli 愛新覺羅弘曆 Manchu: Aisin-Gioro hala i Hung-Li |
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Posthumous name | |
Emperor Fatian Longyun Zhicheng Xianjue Tiyuan Liji Fuwen Fenwu Qinming Xiaoci Shensheng Chun 法天隆運至誠先覺體元立極敷文奮武欽明孝慈神聖純皇帝 |
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Temple name | |
Qing Gaozong 清高宗 |
Qianlong Emperor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
"Qianlong Emperor" in Chinese (top) and Manchu (bottom)
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Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chinese | 乾隆帝 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tibetan name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tibetan | ཆན་ལུང་ lha skyong rgyal po |
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Mongolian name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mongolian | Тэнгэрийг Тэтгэгч хаан Tengeriig Tetgegch Khaan |
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Manchu name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manchu script | ᠠᠪᡴᠠᡳ ᠸᡝᡥᡳᠶᡝᡥᡝ |
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Romanization | Abkai Wehiyehe Hūwangdi |
Transcriptions | |
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Standard Mandarin | |
Hanyu Pinyin | Qiánlóng dì |
Wade–Giles | Ch'ien2-lung2 ti4 |
IPA | [tɕʰi̯ɛ̌n.lʊ̌ŋ tî] |
Wu | |
Suzhounese | Jié-lón tǐ |
Yue: Cantonese | |
Yale Romanization | Hòhn-lùhng daih |
Jyutping | Hon4-lung4 dai6 |
Southern Min | |
Hokkien POJ | Khiân-liông tè |
The Qianlong Emperor (25 September 1711 – 7 February 1799) was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. Born Aisin Gioro Hongli, the fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796. On 8 February, he abdicated in favour of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor – a filial act in order not to reign longer than his grandfather, the illustrious Kangxi Emperor. Despite his retirement, however, he retained ultimate power as the Emperor Emeritus (or Retired Emperor) until his death in 1799; he thus was the longest-reigning de facto ruler in the history of China, and dying at the age of 87, the longest-living. As a capable and cultured ruler inheriting a thriving empire, during his long reign the Qing Empire reached its most splendid and prosperous era, boasting a large population and economy, with various military campaigns expand its territory to the largest extent. In his late years, eclipsed in effectiveness of his rule, with rampant corruption and wastefulness in his court, and a stagnant civil society, the empire was in gradual decline.
Hongli was adored both by his grandfather, the Kangxi Emperor and his father, the Yongzheng Emperor. Some historians argue that the main reason why the Kangxi Emperor appointed the Yongzheng Emperor as his successor was because Hongli was his favourite grandson. He felt that Hongli's mannerisms were very similar to his own. As a teenager, Hongli was very capable in martial arts and possessed a high literary ability.
After his father's enthronement in 1722, Hongli was made a qinwang (first-rank prince) under the title "Prince Bao of the First Rank" (和硕宝亲王; 和碩寶親王; héshuò Bǎo qīnwáng). Like many of his uncles, Hongli entered into a battle of succession with his elder half-brother Hongshi, who had the support of a large faction of the officials in the imperial court, as well as Yinsi, Prince Lian. For many years, the Yongzheng Emperor did not designate any of his sons as the crown prince, but many officials speculated that he favoured Hongli. Hongli went on inspection trips to the south, and was known to be an able negotiator and enforcer. He was also appointed as the chief regent on occasions when his father was away from the capital.