Hong Taiji

Image Source: Public Domain

About Hong Taiji

Lifespan: 1592 – 1643 A.D

Reign Years: 1626-1643 A.D

Given Name: huangtaiji

Reign Name: Taizong

Hong Taiji – Qing Dynasty

Hong Taiji or Huang Taiji was the very first ruler of China’s Qing Dynasty. He was the person who built and developed the empire that his father, Nurhaci, founded.

Unfortunately, he perished before the Ming Empire was entirely conquered. But despite that, Hong Taiji set the groundwork for the Qing Dynasty’s almost 300-year reign.

He was usually compared to the best emperors like Tang Taizong and Yongle. That’s because Hong Taiji was an effective leader with increased skills in warfare.

Hong Taiji or Huang Taiji was even responsible for altering his people’s name: from Jurchen to Manchu. It was also him who shifted the empire’s name from Late Jin to Qing.

This Qing Dynasty ruler was sometimes wrongly referred to as Abahai in Western literature. He was the first Khan who ruled the Later Jin. Then, he became the Qing Emperor.

The Early Life and Rise to Power

Huang Taiji, or Hong Taiji, was born in 1592 as the 8th son of Nurhaci. The latter was a Manchu leader who overthrew the Ming Dynasty, then established the Jin.

His father even organized and divided the Manchu into different patrilineal administrative and military units. These were called the Eight Banners, and leadership of each of these was given to either his nephews or sons.

Nurhaci then controlled the most powerful banner, the Yellow Banners, and managed them until his death. His oldest son managed the White Banner until he rebelled, so the Striped White Banner was handed to Nurhachi’s grandson.

As for the Plain White Banner, it was handed over to Huang Taiji. By the end of Nurhaci’s rule, Huang Taiji managed both these White Banners.

Reign of Hong Taiji

Hong Taiji or Huang Taiji continued expanding the state in an area later known as Manchuria. He pushed deeper into the Mongolian area, raiding both Korea and the Ming, China.

He efficiently expanded the Eight Banners or Banner system of the military-civil administration. It was ideal for integrating different people, mainly the Mongols and Chinese who joined the Manchus. They also followed negotiated military defeat or agreements.

Invasion of the Joseon Dynasty

In 1636, Hong Taiji attacked the Joseon Dynasty since the empire didn’t accept the emperor as the ruler. Eventually, the Joseon Empire surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, then Huang Taiji made them cut-ties with the remaining Ming. After doing so, they became the protectorate of the Qing.

At this time, Huang Taiji took over the Inner Mongolian area with three main wars where the Qing emerged victorious.

Han Officials in the Office

At some point, Huang Taiji realized that the Han would be a majority of the people, and the Manchus would remain as minorities. With that, he started integrating Han officials in the administration as a way to control the Han.

In the late 1620s, the Qing Dynasty emperor utilized allied forces then conquered the Mongol tribes. He then brought them into the Eight Banner System. In 1635, a Mongolian-based Eight Banners was established.

Four Han-Chinese Banners were created, and a full eight were made in 1642. Also, Huang Taiji was the first to suggest that taxes shouldn’t ever be increased. It was a principle applied until Kangxi’s rule.

Late Ming – Early Qing imitate Yuan Blue and White Porcelain Vase

Richly decorated and full of interesting details, this rare vase from the late Ming Dynasty seeks to imitate the drawing style of the Yuan Dynasty. The base is adorned with elegant arches that makes way for a seductive waisted body.

Buy Now!

Antique Chinese Porcelain Plate Qing Dynasty

This blue and white porcelain plate is finely painted in light cobalt tones, flower blossom is painted in the center surrounded by double enclosed ring with three gates. The plate show rust spots and it is marked at the bottom.

Buy Now!

Rare Red Underglazed Antique Chinese Porcelain Kendi Ming Dynasty

Antique Chinese Red underglazed porcelain Kendi, the body is painted with fish swimming surrounded by plants and flowers, the bottom is marked with a couch shell a symbol of royalty, dignity and high rank.

Buy Now!

Death and Legacy

Hong Taiji died in 1643, and it was likely at the hands of one of his officials. This happened a couple of months before his army seized Beijing. That means he didn’t survive to realize his dreams of capturing Ming China.

However, his son eventually succeeded him as Emperor Shunzhi. He became the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty to govern China.

The Qing’s success in conquering China and establishing an effective administration was largely due to Hong Taiji’s policies and foresight. When he died, his body was laid to rest in Zhaoling, Northern Shenyang.