The Shunzhi Emperor (15 March 1638–5 February 1661) is the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and officially the first Qing emperor to rule over China proper from 1644 to 1661.
He ascends to the throne at the age of five (six according to traditional Chinese age reckoning) in 1643 upon the death of his father Huang Taiji, but actual power during the early part of his reign lies in the hands of the appointed regents, Princes Dorgon (posthumously titled Emperor Chengzong) and Jirgalang.
With the Qing pacification of the former Ming provinces almost complete, he dies still a young man, in circumstances that have lent themselves to rumor and speculation.
He is succeeded by his son Xuanye, who reigned as the Kangxi emperor.
