Battle of Palikao

The Battle of Palikao constituted the last great resistance of the Qing dynasty before the entry of Franco-British troops into Beijing. Despite strong numerical inferiority, the Allies crushed the imperial troops. General Cousin-Montauban led a decisive breakthrough, exploiting the tactical and technological superiority of Western troops. The Qing defeat opened the road to the capital, precipitating the end of the conflict.

After Zhangjiawan, Franco-British forces progressed toward Beijing. The Qing army gathered all available forces at Palikao, a strategic crossing on the imperial canal. It was the last hope of stopping the enemy advance. Despite their numbers, Chinese troops suffered from under-equipment, weak logistics, and fragmented command. The stakes were immense for the Chinese Empire.

The Allies attacked at dawn. French artillery opened a breach in the enemy lines, supported by precise British infantry fire. A British light cavalry charge, supported by Algerian skirmishers, broke the Qing right wing. Panic spread through the imperial ranks. The Qing army attempted a disorganized counteroffensive but was swept by allied fire.

The victory at Palikao led to the unresisted entry of allied forces into Beijing. It sealed the defeat of the Qing Empire in the Second Opium War. The imperial army was annihilated, and the Chinese government was compelled to accept the humiliating terms of the imposed treaties. The battle also consecrated French military prestige in the Far East and earned Cousin-Montauban the title of Count of Palikao.