List of Rebellions in China - An Shi Rebellion

An Shi Rebellion

The An Shi Rebellion (Chinese: 安史之亂; pinyin: Ān Shǐ Zhī Luàn) occurred in China, during the Tang Dynasty, from 756 to 763. It is also known as the Tianbao Rebellion (天寶之亂), because An Lushan started it in the 14th year of the namesake era. The alternative term An Lushan Rebellion neglected the participation of Shi Siming (史思明), a subordinate of An Lushan and later leader of the rebellion after murdering An Lushan's son An Qingxu (安慶緒).

The rebellion spanned the reigns of three emperors. The first emperor, Xuanzong, escaped to Sichuan (幸蜀). Xuanzong's army demanded the death of an official, Yang Guozhong, and his cousin, Lady Yang (楊貴妃). Emperor Suzong (唐肅宗), (3rd or 4th) son of Xuanzong, was proclaimed emperor by the accompanying army and eunuchs while another group of local officials and Confucian literati proclaimed another prince at Jinling (today Nanjing).

The rebellion was suppressed during the reign of Daizong by generals Pugu Huai'en (僕固懷恩), Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi (李光弼). Although successful at suppressing the rebellion, the Tang Dynasty was badly weakened by it and in its remaining years was troubled by persistent warlordism. The death toll of the rebellion according to various sources, including suppression and famine, is estimated to be about 36 million, which was the highest death toll for any event for nearly 1200 years, until World War II surpassed it with over 62 million deaths.