British, Indian and international troops outside the Forbidden City, Beijing, 1900

Photograph, 3rd China War (Boxer Rebellion) (1900-1901).

Built between 1406 and 1420, the Forbidden City was a palace complex and the home of the Chinese emperors and their governments. It was situated at the heart of the Imperial City in Beijing. During the 'Boxer Rebellion', the Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi supported the rebels so the international forces advanced on her seat of power.

With assistance from the Russians and French, American artillery blasted its way through a series of walls and gates into the Imperial City, halting their advance at the gates of the Forbidden City. The Empress was subsequently forced to flee from her palace dressed as a peasant.