Manggūltai


Manggūltai was a Manchu noble and an important military and political leader in the early years of the Qing dynasty. He helped Hong Taiji consolidate his power by handing over his Plain Blue Banner to Hong Taiji. He died when he was 45 to 46 years old in 1633.

Family background

Manggūltai was born in the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan as the fifth son of Nurhaci, the founder of the Qing dynasty. His mother was one of Nurhaci's primary consorts, who was Gundei from the Fuca clan. He was an older half-brother of Nurhaci's successor, Hong Taiji.

Career

Nurhaci's reign

When Nurhaci assumed the title of Khan in 1616, Manggūltai was named one of the Four Senior Beile, ranking as the third senior beile to assist Nurhaci's administration. The other three beiles were Daišan, Amin, and Hong Taiji. Starting in 1621, Manggūltai and the other three senior beiles served as assistants to Nurhaci on a monthly rotational basis in directing state affairs of the Later Jin dynasty.

Hong Taiji's reign

After Nurhaci's death, Daišan used his influence to make the princes and generals to agree on Hong Taiji's accession as Khan. Although Hong Taiji had become Khan, Manggūltai, along with Daišan and Amin continued to take turns as assistant administrators until 1629, when Hong Taiji had begun to consolidate power.
Manggūltai handed over the Plain Blue Banner to Hong Taiji, which was the third strongest banner at that time. In this way, Hong Taiji slowly lowered, if not eliminated, his other three senior beile's powers. Facing South as the sole ruler and full consolidation of power at his command. A precursor to Hong Taiji's rise and claim as Emperor of the new Qing Dynasty.

Family

Primary Consort
  • First wife, of the Nara clan
  • Second wife, of the Hada Nara clan
  • * Maidali, first son
  • * Guanggu, second son
  • * Sahaliang, third son
  • * Ebilun, fifth son
  • * Feiyanggutai, sixth son
  • * Aketama, eighth son
  • Third wife, of an unknown clan
  • * Shusong, ninth son
Concubine
  • Concubine, of an unknown clan
  • * Sadong'e, fourth son
  • * Sahana, seventh son