Lady Abahai
Encyclopedia
Lady Abahai was the primary consort of Nurhaci
, founder of the Qing Dynasty
. She bore Nurhaci three sons - Ajige
, Dorgon
, and Dodo
. She was erroneously identified with Nurhaci's son and successor, Hong Taiji
, in earlier sources.
clan. Her father was Mantai (滿泰), beile
of the Ula clan. Under the arrangement of her uncle Bujantai
, Lady Abahai was married to Nurhaci in 1602 when she was 12 years old. Following the death of Empress Xiaocigao (birth mother of Nurhaci's son and successor Hong Taiji
) in 1603, Lady Abahai was granted the title of Grand Consort (大妃). She was forced to commit suicide in 1626 by her stepsons, including Hong Taiji, for fear that she might be a barrier to his succession.
but was revoked after his death. Her full posthumous title is:
three sons:
Nurhaci
Nurhaci was an important Jurchen chieftain who rose to prominence in the late sixteenth century in what is today Northeastern China...
, founder of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. She bore Nurhaci three sons - Ajige
Ajige
Ajige was a prince and general of the Qing Dynasty. He was born of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan as the 12th son of Nurhaci, khan of the Later Jin Dynasty ....
, Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
, and Dodo
Dodo (prince)
Dodo was a Manchu prince and military general of the early Qing Dynasty. His title was "Prince Yu of the First Rank" .-Family background:...
. She was erroneously identified with Nurhaci's son and successor, Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji , also transliterated as Huang Taiji based on the Chinese language transcription of his name, was the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.Hong Taiji was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty after acceding to the title in 1636...
, in earlier sources.
Biography
Lady Abahai was born of the Manchu Ula clan, a subgroup of the NaraNara (clan)
Nara is a major Manchu clan. The Hūlun Four States -- Hada , Ula , Hoifa and Yehe -- were ruled by this clan...
clan. Her father was Mantai (滿泰), beile
Qing Dynasty nobility
The Qing Dynasty of China developed a complicated peerage system for ranking nobility. All titles were to be inherited by a noble's eldest son, but always one grade lower. There were instances, however, where an emperor approved of a title being hereditary . This was regarded as an honour by the...
of the Ula clan. Under the arrangement of her uncle Bujantai
Bujantai
Bujantai was a Jurchen beile of the Ula tribal confederation.Bujantai was descended from Nacibulu , the ancestor of the Nara lineages of Ula and Hada....
, Lady Abahai was married to Nurhaci in 1602 when she was 12 years old. Following the death of Empress Xiaocigao (birth mother of Nurhaci's son and successor Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji , also transliterated as Huang Taiji based on the Chinese language transcription of his name, was the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.Hong Taiji was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty after acceding to the title in 1636...
) in 1603, Lady Abahai was granted the title of Grand Consort (大妃). She was forced to commit suicide in 1626 by her stepsons, including Hong Taiji, for fear that she might be a barrier to his succession.
Posthumous title
Lady Abahai was granted a posthumous title by her son DorgonDorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
but was revoked after his death. Her full posthumous title is:
- Empress Xiaoliegongminxianzherenhezantianlishengwu
(孝烈恭敏獻哲仁和贊天儷聖武皇后)
Children
Lady Abahai bore NurhaciNurhaci
Nurhaci was an important Jurchen chieftain who rose to prominence in the late sixteenth century in what is today Northeastern China...
three sons:
- AjigeAjigeAjige was a prince and general of the Qing Dynasty. He was born of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan as the 12th son of Nurhaci, khan of the Later Jin Dynasty ....
, Prince Ying of the First Rank (英親王阿濟格) - DorgonDorgonDorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
, Prince Ruizhong of the First Rank (睿忠親王多爾袞) - DodoDodo (prince)Dodo was a Manchu prince and military general of the early Qing Dynasty. His title was "Prince Yu of the First Rank" .-Family background:...
, Prince Yutong of the First Rank (豫通親王多鐸)