Battle of Palikao
Baliqiao (Palikao) bridges, east of Beijing, China
What happened
A British and French army under Sir James Hope Grant and Charles Cousin-Montauban fought a Qing Chinese army under Sengge Rinchen. In the Second Opium War, British and French forces advanced on Beijing. The Qing army, including Mongolian cavalry, held a strong position at the bridges of Baliqiao. The allies attacked from the front and the side and pushed the Qing troops back across the bridges.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It opened the road to Beijing. The Xianfeng Emperor fled the capital, leaving Prince Gong to negotiate.
What came next
Beijing surrendered in October 1860. British and French troops looted the imperial Old Summer Palace, and British troops burned it on Lord Elgin's orders.
Did you know?
The French commander was later made Count of Palikao and became Prime Minister of France.
Timeline
- 1707Building of the Old Summer Palace begins.
- 21 September 1860The allies win at Palikao.
- 6 October 1860Allied troops capture and loot the Old Summer Palace.
- 18 October 1860Lord Elgin orders the palace burned.