How did the Taiping Rebellion contribute to a major Yellow River course change?

The Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864) contributed to a major change in the course of the Yellow River by causing a significant slackening in the maintenance of the river's levee system.1

Historically, the lower Yellow River has been prone to channel shifts because its bed is artificially elevated by sediment deposits, often lying above the surrounding land. To manage this, the Chinese government maintained extensive levee systems to stabilize the channel and prevent flooding. During the period of the Taiping Rebellion, these systematic maintenance efforts were neglected. This lack of upkeep led to a major shift in the river's course between 1852 and 1854, during which the river moved to the north of the Shandong Peninsula, eventually settling into its present-day course.12