Ashdarhan (the Empress’s Maternal Uncle)

Overview

Ashdarhan, the maternal uncle, was a member of the Yehe Nara clan of the Plain White Banner in the early Qing Dynasty, and a relative of Jin Taishi. Volume 22 of the official Qing Dynasty clan genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he led his fellow villagers to surrender at the beginning of the dynasty, was organized into a zuoling (banner-company commander) and commanded by him. He was among the first to scale the walls during the attack on Liaodong City, and later received the rank of First-class Qingche duwei, serving as Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs. In Tiancong 6 (1632), Huang Taiji bestowed upon him the title "Uncle" because he was the younger brother of Empress Xiaocigao. He later participated in the Qing military campaign in Korea, was promoted to Third-Class Baron, and was subsequently demoted to Qiduwei. The term "Uncle" in historical records clearly indicates a royal family background, and is not a title arbitrarily added by modern editors. Tiancong was the reign title used by Huang Taiji before entering the Central Plains; this bestowal of the title should be understood within the context of the early formation of the political system. Qingche duwei, Baron, and Qiduwei were different hereditary titles of varying ranks, distinct from the ministerial positions they held; the zuoling also involved the organization and management of the grassroots bannermen. The original genealogy records the appointments and successions of his son, Sidali, and his grandchildren, and should not attribute all the additional, demotion, and restoration of hereditary titles to Ashdarhan himself.