Top 10 Most Brutal Battles in Human History

Securing the top position is World War II, also known as the Second World War. With a global scale and the participation of numerous countries, this conflict emerged from the formation of two opposing military alliances: the Axis Powers and the Allies. It is known as the most widespread war in history, involving over 100 million military personnel. With total mobilization, the major powers devoted all their economic, industrial, and scientific resources to the war effort, even resorting to atomic bombs, resulting in severe long-term consequences. Duration: 1939 – 1945 Estimated Deaths: 40 million – 72 million Scale: Global

Ranking third is World War I, primarily occurring in Europe, starting in 1914 and lasting until November 1918. However, it involved numerous global powers, divided into two opposing alliances. It mobilized over 70 million soldiers, including 60 million from Europe alone, making it the largest conflict of its time. Over 9 million soldiers perished in this war. Duration: 1914 – 1918 Estimated Deaths: 15 million – 65 million Scale: Global

Ranking second is the Taiping Rebellion, a large-scale civil war in Southern China lasting from 1850 to 1864, led by the self-proclaimed brother of Jesus Christ, Hong Xiuquan, against the ruling Qing dynasty. Estimated to have caused the deaths of around 20 million people, mostly civilians, this conflict stands as one of the bloodiest in history. Duration: 1851 – 1864 Estimated Deaths: 20 million – 100 million Location: China

Ranking fifth is the An Lushan Rebellion, which occurred in China during the Tang dynasty, from 755 to 763. An Lushan, a former Tang general, declared himself emperor and established the Great Yan dynasty in northern China. This prolonged rebellion lasted for three reigns of Tang emperors before it was suppressed. During this period, the population of China decreased to 36 million, as recorded in the historical documents of that time. Duration: 755 – 763Estimated Deaths: 13 million – 36 millionLocation: China

Ranking 7th is The Conquest of Thiếp Mộc Nhi, arguably the most controversial campaign to date. Thiếp Mộc Nhi vigorously attempted to revive the Mongol Empire, yet his fiercest battle was against the Golden Horde of Mongolia. He was known to prefer palace life over the steppe, unlike his forefathers. He even styled himself as a ghazi (Islamic warrior) when launching attacks on Islamic nations, such as the Ottoman Empire.Timeline: 1369 – 1405Locations: Central Asia, Russia, Middle East, IndiaEstimated casualties: Approximately 15 million to 20 million

Occupying the 6th position on this list is the overthrow of the Ming Dynasty by the Manchus, known as the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history, existing from 1644 to 1912. Established by the Aisin Gioro clan in northern China. Starting from 1644, the Manchus began expanding their territory into Central China and neighboring regions, forming the Great Qing State. The Qing territory stabilized in 1683 under the reign of Emperor Kangxi.Timeline: 1616 - 1662Estimated casualties: 25 millionLocations: China

Ranking 10th is the Russian Civil War, a multi-party conflict that occurred when the Russian Empire collapsed and Russia fell into the hands of the Soviet Union, under the leadership of the Bolshevik party. Initially, Soviet forces gained control in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) and then seized control of the entire country of Russia.Timeline: 1917 – 1921Estimated casualties: 5 million – 9 millionLocations: Russia

Occupying the 8th position is the Hui Rebellion, believed to be an uprising by the Hui people against the Qing dynasty, although there is no evidence indicating their intention to advance towards Beijing. Immediately after the suppression of the rebellion, the Hui people migrated to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. This was deemed a chaotic uprising, involving factions on the western banks of the Yellow River.Timeline: 1862 – 1877Estimated casualties: 8 million – 12 millionDuration: 1862 – 1877

Ranking at 10th is the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon was one of the most remarkable leaders of all time with campaigns across Europe. It was a conflict against Napoleon's French Empire by hostile coalitions. Consequently, the power of the French Empire rose rapidly as Napoleon's armies conquered most of Europe, but it sharply declined after a brutal invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon ultimately faced defeat, leading to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy and the establishment of the Concert of Europe.Timeline: 1803 – 1815Estimated casualties: 3.5 million – 7 millionLocations: Pacific and Indian Oceans, Europe, Atlantic Ocean