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Suicide of the Chongzhen Emperor

Type Event Region Asia Time 1644

On the 19th day of the 3rd month of 1644 (April 25 Gregorian), the Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself on Coal Hill (today's Jingshan) as the Dashun arm…

Timeline

  1. 1644Forbidden City · BeijingAs the Dashun army besieged the city, the Chongzhen Emperor summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures; the proposal to relocate south failed, the crown prince and princes were sent out of the palace, and the emperor refused to flee, resolving to share the fate of the state.
  2. 1644Coal Hill · BeijingThe Chongzhen Emperor ascended Coal Hill with the eunuch Wang Cheng'en and hanged himself from an old locust tree with his imperial belt, leaving an edict blaming himself; Ming imperial rule in Beijing ended with his death.
  3. 1644Coal Hill · BeijingAfter the Dashun army entered the city, they found the Chongzhen Emperor's body; Li Zicheng ordered it buried with imperial honors at Siling among the Ming Thirteen Tombs, completely severing the Ming legitimate line in Beijing.

Sources