Li Zicheng's Capture of Beijing

Timeline

1. 1644Outer city of Beijing · North ChinaLi Zicheng led the Dashun army eastward from Xi'an, defeating Ming forces along the way and arriving outside Beijing; the Ming court was beset internally and externally, garrison strength was weak, and panic gripped the capital.
2. 1644Beijing city walls · North ChinaThe Dashun army launched a fierce night assault; Ming eunuch Cao Huachun and others opened the gates to surrender, and after the outer city fell the inner city could not hold; the garrison collapsed and Li Zicheng's troops poured into the city.
3. 1644Forbidden City · BeijingThe Dashun army took control of all of Beijing, Li Zicheng entered the inner city, and Ming officials in the capital either surrendered or fled; the Dashun regime briefly took over the Ming capital, and Ming rule in Beijing effectively ended.