The Taiping Rebellion, which lasted from 1850 to 1864, indeed resulted in a significant loss of life, with estimates of casualties ranging from 20 million to 30 million people. The main causes of these deaths were:
Military Conflicts: The rebellion was a massive civil war between the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the ruling Qing Dynasty. Frequent battles and military campaigns caused a large number of casualties on both sides.
Famine and Disease: The prolonged warfare and disruption of agricultural activities led to widespread famine and food shortages. Additionally, overcrowded refugee camps and unsanitary conditions contributed to the spread of diseases like cholera and smallpox, causing further deaths.
Brutality and Atrocities: Both sides engaged in acts of brutality and atrocities during the conflict, leading to civilian casualties.
Siege Warfare: The Taiping rebels often laid siege to cities, and these protracted sieges resulted in high civilian casualties due to starvation and disease.
Internal Strife: Within the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, internal conflicts and power struggles also led to violence and loss of life.
Foreign Intervention: Foreign powers, including Britain and France, intervened at various points during the rebellion. While their involvement didn't directly cause the majority of deaths, it added to the complexity and intensity of the conflict.
The combination of these factors contributed to the immense death toll during the Taiping Rebellion, making it one of the deadliest conflicts in history.