Sahaliyan


Sahaliyan, alternatively rendered as Sahalin, was an imperial prince of the Qing dynasty of China. He was the third son of Prince Lilie of the First Rank Daišan and a grandson of Nurhaci. Sahaliyan was posthumously honoured as Prince Ying of the First Rank for the merits during Qing conquest of the Central Plain. The peerage was found extinct after his son, Adali, was executed for treason.

Life

Sahaliyan was born as a son of Second Primary Princess Consort Lilie of the First Rank, lady Yehe Nara on 19 June 1604 in Liaodong. Sahaliyan enjoyed Hong Taiji's favour since young, which resulted in his loyalty to Hong Taiji. He was considered to be among the most well-educated Manchu nobles of the early Qing period, being highly literate in Chinese, Manchu, and Mongolian.

Military and political career

Sahalian's military career started as early as in Tianming era, when he raided Chahar and Khorchin in 1625 with army consisting of 5 thousand soldiers. In 1626, he conquered Khalkha tribes together with his father, Daišan. That same year, he was granted a title of prince of the third rank together with Yoto and other imperial princes. Sahaliyan was reluctant to accept the title as he claimed incompetence and declared his loyalty to Khan. Nevertheless, it was Sahaliyan who laid a groundwork to election of Hong Taiji as a Khan.

Infliction in Manggultai's accident

Actually, when Manggūltai was deposed in 1633, it was Sahaliyan who arrested princess Mangguji, Nurhaci's third daughter. The reasons were Mangguji's request to Degelei to murder her second prince consort and the cold relationship between her and Hong Taiji. Hong Taiji saw Mangguji and her brother, Degelei, as enemies and therefore wanted to murder them. In 1635, Mangguji was murdered with her second daughter, whom Hong Taiji's son Hooge had rejected as a wife.

Death and legacy

Sahaliyan died of illness on 11 June 1636 at the age of 32. His death deeply saddened Hong Taiji whi generously treated his family members and posthumously honoured him as Prince Ying of the First Rank. Hong Taiji cancelled court sessions for 3 days, the mourning period exceptionally reserved for meritorious imperial princes. Sahalin was succeeded by his eldest son, Adali, while his second son, Lekdehun, was granted a title of Prince Shuncheng of the Second Rank.
In 1672, Kangxi Emperor added a character "yi" to Sahalian's title, so the full posthumous title was: Prince Yingyi of the First Rank. In 1755, Qianlong Emperor ordered to place Sahalin's memorial tablet in the Temple of Worthies so as to commemorate his role in the conquest of the Ming dynasty.

Interesting facts

Ghost in the Mukden forbidden city

The optical illusion of Sahalian was first visible after his death according to the legends. In 6 months after Sahalin's death, Hong Taiji slept in the Fenghuang building of the Mukden Palace. Hong Taiji dreamt of himself leaving inner court of Mukden palace together with Empress Xiaoduanwen onto the eastern wall of the city. After the short walk, Hong Taiji was disrupted by an enormous palace, where he saw Daishan and Sahaliyan awaiting him. Hong Taiji gave them clothes, let them in and sat on the throne. After an hour of bantering, Hong Taizi felt puzzled how Sahalin could be alive. Hong Taiji ordered to return to Mukden palace. While Hong Taiji was leaving the hall, Sahalian stopped him and requested for one calf.
The dream was described by great secretary Hife, Ganglin and other present at the court session other day.
The story was continued by "Chronicle of Great Ming" before the accomplishment of "Great Code of Qing". However, the "Chronicle of Great Ming" gives the story a shade of authenticity by mentioning that Hong Taiji rewarded Lekdehun and made him one of the iron-cap princes under the title "Prince Shuncheng of the Second Rank".

Family

Sahaliyan was married to Ulanara Jihai, daughter of Bujantai. His primary consort was executed for treason together with Adali.
----Consorts and issue:
  • Primary consort, of the Ulanara clan, personal name Jihai
  • * Adali, first son
  • * Princess of the Fourth Rank, first daughter
  • ** Married He'erben of the Donggiya clan in 1633
  • * Lekdehun, Prince Shuncheng Gonghui of the Second Rank , second son
  • * Princess of the Fourth Rank, second daughter
  • ** Married Prince of the Second Rank Tenggis of the Sunid Borjigin clan in 1640 and had issue
  • * Dulan, Grace Defender Duke, third son