The Kangxi Emperor (1654 – 1722) was the fourth
emperor of the Qing dynasty, the first to be born
on Chinese soil and the second Qing emperor to
rule over that part of China, from 1661 to 1722.
The Kangxi Emperor's reign of 61 years makes
him the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese
history (although his grandson, the Qianlong
Emperor, had the longest period of de facto
power) and one of the longest-reigning rulers in
the world.
However, since he ascended the throne at the
age of seven, actual power was held for six years
by four regents and his grandmother, the Grand
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang.
The Kangxi Emperor is considered one of China's
greatest emperors. He suppressed the Revolt of
the Three Feudatories, forced the Kingdom of
Tungning in Taiwan and assorted Mongol rebels in
the North and Northwest to submit to Qing rule,
and blocked Tsarist Russia on the Amur River,
retaining Outer Manchuria and Outer Northwest
China.
The Kangxi Emperor's reign brought about long-
term stability and relative wealth after years of
war and chaos. He initiated the period known as
the "Prosperous Era of Kangxi and Qianlong" or
"High Qing",which lasted for several generations
after his death.
His court also accomplished such literary feats as
the compilation of the Kangxi Dictionary.
- (MS.671)
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