| 姓： | 愛新覺羅 | ||||||||||||
| 名： | 皇太極 | ||||||||||||
| 網筆號： | 應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝敬敏昭定隆道顯功文皇帝 | ||||||||||||
| 廟號： | 太宗 | ||||||||||||
| 陵墓： | 昭陵 | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
性別：男
民族：女真族（今滿族前身）
出生日期：明萬歷二十年（1592年）十月二十五日。
努爾哈赤第八子，母孝慈高皇后葉赫納拉氏。
明天啓六年（1626年）在瀋陽繼後金汗位。次年改元天聰。他對內大力推行封建化的改革，加強中央集權；對外相繼徵服了蒙古和朝鮮，並多次帶兵攻打明朝，將西部國界擴張至錦州、寧遠一綫。十年四月改元崇德，改國號大清，正式稱帝。
生卒時日：1592——1643，享年52歲，在位17年。
謚號：應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝文皇帝。
寢陵：昭陵（瀋陽北陵）
廟號：（清）太宗。
姓名：皇太極
屬相：竜
年號：天聰，崇德
廟號：太宗
謚號：文皇帝
出生日期：明萬歷二十年十月二十五日（1592年11月28日）
出生地：費阿拉城
死亡地：瀋陽清寧宮
陵寢：昭陵（瀋陽北陵）
即位：天命十一年九月初一→崇德八年八月初九（1626年12月20日→1643年9月21日）
在位年數：17年
享年：52
父：太祖努爾哈赤
母：葉赫那拉孟古，後尊為孝慈高皇后
排行：太祖第八子
初婚：22歲，博爾濟吉特哲哲為皇后
配偶：15人，皇后博爾濟吉特哲哲
子女：11子，14女
繼位之“初”，加強集權
皇太極繼位之初，後金面臨的形勢十分嚴峻。由於多次對外掠奪，處境孤立，受到明朝、蒙古、朝鮮的包圍。內部由於貴族分權勢力的矛盾，衝突日益嚴重。他雖繼承了汗位，但實際上是同代善、阿敏、莽古爾泰三大貝勒“按月分值”政務。權力分散，事事掣肘，徒有“一汗虛名”。為了加強中央集權，推進封建化的改革，皇太極采取各個擊破的手段，打擊、削弱分權勢力，提高汗權。天聰四年，皇太極以阿敏棄守灤州、永平（今河北盧竜）、遷安、遵化四城的罪名，將其終身幽禁。五年，莽古爾泰同皇太極發生口角時，竟拔刀相嚮。皇太極藉機以“御前露刃”之罪，革去莽古爾泰大貝勒銜。至此，四大貝勒，僅剩他和代善兩人。六年，皇太極終於廢除了與三大貝勒俱南面坐、共理政務的舊製，改成自己南面獨坐，取得了汗的獨尊地位。另外，皇太極仿照明製，逐步建立國傢統治機構，以取代八旗制度所行使的國傢權力。三年，建立了由滿漢文人組成的“文館”，職掌“翻譯漢字書籍”，“記註本朝政事”，為皇太極推行漢化運籌帷幄。五年，設立吏、戶、禮、兵、刑、工六部，分掌國傢行政事務。十年，又將“文館”擴充為內國史院、內秘書院、內弘文院，統稱“內三院”，負責撰擬詔令、編纂史書、掌管和起草對外文書與敕諭、講經註史、頒布制度等。稍後，又建立了都察院，改蒙古衙門為理藩院。皇太極通過這套政權機構，把權力集中到自己的手中。
發展經濟，國內改革
在經濟上，由於努爾哈赤晚年在遼東實行“抗拒者被戮，俘取者為奴”的奴隸製政策，漢人紛紛逃亡和暴動，生産凋敝，後金社會動蕩不安。為了緩和社會矛盾，皇太極執政伊始，便提出“治國之要，莫先安民”的方針，把原先努爾哈赤所推行的漢人每十三壯丁編為一莊，按滿官品級分給為奴的政策改為每備禦止給壯丁八人、牛二頭，以備使令，其餘漢人分屯別居，用漢官管理，使大量漢族奴隸取得了“民戶”地位，成為後金政權下的個體農民。天聰五年，皇太極頒布《隸主條例》，其中規定“凡奴隸主犯有私行拓獵、擅殺人命、隱匿戰利品、姦污屬下婦女、冒功濫薦、壓製申訴等罪，許奴僕告發，準其離主”。這一條例，限製了滿洲貴族的某些特權，有利於奴僕爭取改變自己的身份和地位。為了促進農業生産，皇太極註意體恤民力，凡有妨農務的工程，一律不復興築，使百姓能“專勤南畝，以重本務”。經過幾年的努力，農業有了較大發展，糧食基本上能夠自給，社會矛盾得到緩和。
屢敗朝鮮，四面結盟
皇太極在國內大力實行改革時，並沒有放棄努爾哈赤對外進行侵略擴張的政策。他認為要戰勝明朝，首先要徵服蒙古和朝鮮，這既可以解除後顧之懮，又可以利用他們的力量，共同對付明朝。天聰元年一月，皇太極不宣而戰，命阿敏、濟爾哈朗、阿濟格等人，率三萬大軍入侵朝鮮，迫使朝鮮簽訂《江都和約》。1636年，皇太極又以朝鮮“屢敗盟誓”，“助明害我”為由，親率十萬大軍入侵朝鮮，包圍南漢山城。國王李倧被迫投降，稱臣納貢，允諾與明朝斷絶往來，並將王子送瀋陽為人質。對蒙古，皇太極采取“懾之以兵，懷之以德”的政策。首先爭取與察哈爾林丹汗不和的科爾沁、喀喇沁等部的歸附。天聰二年，達成共同徵討林丹汗的協議。經過幾次徵戰，林丹汗勢力大衰。八年，林丹汗在青海大草灘出痘病死。九年初，皇太極命多爾袞等率一萬人渡黃河西進，至托裏圖，俘獲了林丹汗子額哲及其部衆一千餘戶，統一了漠南蒙古。為了籠絡蒙古封建上層分子，皇太極用聯姻、賞賜、封王封爵、定外藩功臣襲職例、崇奉喇嘛教、與西藏僧俗頭領建立聯繫等手段，取得了蒙古諸部的支持和效忠。
統一漠南
為了彌補女真;滿洲人數太少的根本弱點，為了清除北方、東北方向來的威脅，為了斬斷明國右臂，皇太極加緊進行統一漠南蒙古各部的徵撫工作。一方面屢派使者，招誘巴林等部歸附，另一方面，集中兵力對付察哈爾部林丹汗。天聰六年(明崇禎五年，1632)四月初一，皇太極率軍離瀋陽，西徵林丹汗，適值遼河水漲，人馬浮水而過，兩晝夜始渡完。沿途蒙古各部貝勒紛紛遵奉率兵從徵諭旨前來相會，到十二比來會者有喀喇沁、土默特、喀喇車裏剋、伊蘇忒、紮魯特、敖漢、奈曼、阿祿、巴林、科爾沁等部及北邊蒙古諸部奧巴等數十位貝勒，均獻酒獻馬，汗設大宴相待。
四月十六日，金汗召集各貝勒，嘉奬踴躍遵命之貝勒，訓斥怠緩之人。皇太極諭：“朕以察哈爾不道，整旅往徵，先期諭令爾等率本部兵來會。今爾等所領之兵，多寡不齊，遲速亦異，惟科爾沁部土謝圖額駙奧巴率來軍士甚多，又不惜所蓄馬匹，散給部衆，疾馳來會”，“足見立心誠意，憂樂相同，朕甚嘉之”。至於舅舅吳剋善的行動，則使“朕心不甚歡樂”。紮魯特部諸貝勒，“尚屬實心效力”，敖漢、奈曼諸貝勒，亦“較優，然也未為盡善”。巴林諸貝勒似尚畏懼察哈爾，且“吝惜馬匹，怠緩不前”，阿祿諸貝勒“深受林丹汗之欺凌，乃此次並不思仗朕之力以復仇，而不多發兵馬”，“僅以一旅之師勉強應命”，“應俟班師日議罪”。各貝勒皆叩首受命。這次訓諭，對激勵和鞭策蒙古踴躍從徵，起了很大作用。
皇太極下令，日夜兼程，直取林丹汗住地，一舉蕩平察哈爾。四月二十二日，大軍過興安嶺，行軍已達一千三百多裏(從瀋陽算起)。但是，連一個察哈爾人也未看到，原來鑲黃旗固山額真達爾哈傢的兩名舊蒙古人，於十八日夜間潛盜良馬六匹，飛奔察哈爾，通知金兵大舉來攻。“林丹汗聞之大懼，遍諭部衆，棄本土而奔，遣入赴歸化城(今年蒙呼和浩特)，驅富民及牲畜盡渡黃河。察哈爾國人倉卒逃遁，一切輜重，皆委之而去。”皇太極知悉此情，諭領兵諸貝勒大臣：“察哈爾知我整旅而來，必不敢交鋒，追愈急，則彼遁愈遠，我軍馬疲糧竭，不如且赴歸化城暫住”。於是大軍嚮歸化城前進。五月二十三日，至木魯哈喇剋沁，分兵兩翼，左翼以貝勒阿濟格為帥，率科爾沁土謝圖額駙奧巴及巴林、紮魯特、喀喇沁、土默特、阿祿等部兵一萬，往掠大同、宣府邊外一帶察哈爾部民；右翼命濟爾哈朗、嶽托、德格類、薩哈廉、多爾袞、多鐸、豪格等貝勒領兵二萬，往掠歸化城黃河一帶部民；汗與大貝勒代善、貝勒莽古爾泰統大軍繼進。二十七日獲悉，林丹汗聞金兵入境，驚慌失措，“盡攜部民、牲畜、財物，渡黃河以遁，所遺止窮民耳”。這一天，大軍行馳七百裏，西至黃河木納漢山，東至宣府，自歸化城南及明國邊境，“所在居民逃匿者，悉俘之，歸附者，編為戶口”。
一些蒙古人逃入明境沙河堡，皇太極緻書堡中明將，索取逃人，稱：“我北徵察哈爾，窮追四十一日，擒其哨卒訊之，雲已星夜逃去”，“我欲收其部民，因還兵剋歸化城”，“近聞察哈爾所遺人畜財物，為爾等收留，當一一歸還於我。否則，自取禍患。”明將大驚，立即送還逃入蒙古及欲賞與林丹汗之財物，計有男婦三百二十名、牲畜一千餘及所賞納緞布帛六千餘匹。宣府守將亦將犒賞察哈爾汗所財物存在張傢口者，全部獻出，計緞布及虎豹狐獺等皮共一萬二千五百匹(張)。明宣府巡撫、總兵又遵金汗諭旨，議和通市，贈獻黃金、白銀、蟒緞、布匹、茶葉數千(匹、兩、包)。六月二十四日，大軍紮營於張傢口外喀喇把爾噶孫，“列三十營，聯絡四十裏”。分略各路大兵，“所至村堡，悉焚其廬捨，棄其糧糗，各籍所俘獲，以聞於上，共計人口牲畜十萬有餘”。
皇太極認為此戰目的基本達到，遂統軍東返，於七月二十四日回到瀋陽。此行往返萬餘裏，歷時三個月零二十六天，雖未生擒林丹汗，但已給其以致命打擊，逼其丟棄本土遠逃，察哈爾部分崩瓦解。林丹汗率殘部星夜逃往西藏，“臣民素苦其暴虐，抗違不行”，原有三十餘萬部衆，途中逃散者十之七八。到天聰八年，無處安身東逃西遁的林丹汗，病死於青海大草灘，餘部紛紛回歸，投順於金汗。天聰九年二月，多爾衷等貝勒奉諭統兵一萬，往尋林丹汗之子額哲，於四月降額哲及其母蘇泰太後，並獲元朝歷代傳國玉璽。林丹汗之妻囊囊太後，竇土門福晉，以及其他貝勒、寨桑，紛率所部來歸。漠南蒙古各部悉隸金汗之下。
皇太極深知，衹靠一二次徵剿和隨從效力，並不能使各部蒙古長期歸順於己，也不能僅僅依靠盟誓，而須以武力作後盾，用制度、法令來約束各部，使他們聽從金汗統轄和指揮。天聰三年正月，他頒敕諭於科爾沁、敖漢、奈曼、喀爾喀，喀喇沁，“令悉遵我朝制度”。三月，他又遣使臣賫敕，“諭歸順各部蒙古諸貝勒，申定軍令”，規定凡遇出師之時，宜踴躍爭赴，協力同心，不得遲期。若徵察哈爾，凡管旗之諸貝勒，年七十以下十三以上，俱須從徵，違者，罰馬一百匹駝十頭。遲三日不至約會之地，罰馬十匹。若徵明國，每旗大貝勒一員、臺吉二員，率精兵百人從徵，違者，罰馬一千匹、駝百頭。於相約會集之地擄掠者，罰馬百匹、駝十頭。
天聰八年正月，皇太極藉外藩蒙古科爾沁、敖漢、阿祿、喀喇沁、奈曼、四子部落等部貝勒來朝的機會，具體定其法例。他諭告諸貝勒：“爾蒙古諸部落，嚮因法製未備，陋習不除”，今與諸貝勒約定：凡貝勒奪有夫之婦配與他人者，罰馬五十匹、駝五衹，其納婦之人，罰七九之數，給與原夫。姦有夫之婦，拐投別貝勒者，男婦俱論死，取其妻子牲畜，盡給原夫，如貝勒不執送，罰貝勒馬五十匹、駝五衹。盔甲、綿甲、馬鬃尾無牌印，以及盔纓、纛纓、纛幅不遵金國制度者，俱罪之。
同年十月，遣使者阿什達爾漢前往蒙古，在碩翁科爾大會敖漢、奈曼、巴林、紮魯特、翁牛特、四子、吳喇忒、喀喇沁、土默特、塔賴各部管事大小諸貝勒，分定各部地界，嚴禁各部互相侵越，第二年天聰九年二月，又編審內外喀喇沁蒙古壯丁，除盲人及手足殘廢者外，年六十歲以下、十八歲以上，俱照例編審，共編壯丁一萬六千九百五十三名，其中喀喇沁左翼旗、喀喇沁右翼旗、土默特三旗壯丁共九千一百二十三名，仍隸於滿洲八旗之內，另外七千八百三十丁，加上舊蒙古，正式編立蒙古八旗，分由阿代、達賴、恩格圖、布彥代、伊拜、蘇納、吳賴、扈什布等八人為同山額真，各旗均設梅勒章京、甲喇章京各二員。
漠南蒙古各部的統一及蒙古八旗的編立，為金國擴大了兵源，增加了兵馬，加強了滿蒙聯盟，消除了來自北方的威脅，對金國的鞏固和強大，以及對明國的徵討，均起了重大作用，從此以後，金國汗便可全力攻明了。
開科取士，招募人才
皇太極深知滿族要想入主中原，必須取得漢族地主階級的支持。因此，他十分重視漢族地主知識分子和明朝降官降將的作用，對他們采取招降收買政策。天聰三年，首次考試儒生，網羅了兩百名漢族文人。此後又多次舉行考試，分別優劣，量纔錄用。五年，大凌河戰役後，對大批降將賜以莊田、奴僕、馬匹，並委以官職。天聰七、八年間，孔有德、耿仲明、尚可喜、沉志祥等明朝將領紛紛自願來投，皇太極對他們封王封侯，寵榮備至。隨着蒙古的臣服，明朝將領的降順，皇太極逐步建立蒙古八旗和漢軍八旗，大大增強了軍事力量。
瀋陽稱帝，明將投降
天聰十年四月，皇太極在瀋陽稱帝，從此全力以赴地對明朝發動侵略。是年秋，他命阿濟格統兵南侵，掠奪人畜十八萬。崇德三年，又命多爾袞、嶽托率軍南侵。攻破城池五十多處，虜獲人口四十六萬，金銀百餘萬兩。為了從正面打開山海關，自五年三月起，發動了錦州戰役。明廷派薊遼總督洪承疇率十三萬大軍往援錦州祖大壽。皇太極指揮作戰，後明軍因塔山糧草被奪而决定分成兩路突圍。承疇等人突圍未成，睏守鬆山城，鬆山副將夏承德密約降清，以為內應。1642年二月十八日鬆山城陷，洪承疇被俘，祖大壽在錦州投降。至此，明朝在關外僅剩寧遠一孤城。
猝然長逝，身後謚號
公元1643年八月初九，皇太極在清寧宮中猝然病死（“端坐無疾而終”，應是心肌梗塞或腦溢血之類的疾病），葬瀋陽昭陵（通稱瀋陽北陵）。廟號太宗，謚號“應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝敬敏昭定隆道顯功文皇帝”。
一後四妃，出自蒙古，均為蒙古最高姓氏博爾濟吉特氏 孝端文皇后，博爾濟吉特氏，（博爾濟吉特氏是蒙古黃金傢族的姓氏，皇后、宸妃和莊妃都是蒙古科爾沁部人）名哲哲。正宮皇后。生三女，下嫁額哲、奇塔特、巴雅思祜朗。
孝莊文皇后，博爾濟吉特氏，名布木布泰，永福宮莊妃，孝端文皇后侄女，海蘭珠之妹。生一子，順治帝。三女，下嫁弼爾塔哈爾、色布騰、鏗吉爾格。
敏惠恭和元妃，博爾濟吉特氏，名海蘭珠。關睢宮宸妃，孝端文皇后侄女。生一子，不滿一歲而殤。 她也是皇太極最寵愛的妃子。
懿靖大貴妃，博爾濟吉特氏,名娜木鐘。麟趾宮貴妃。生一子，博穆博果爾。一女，下嫁噶爾瑪索諾木。
康惠淑妃，博爾濟吉特氏，名巴特瑪。衍慶宮淑妃。
元妃，鈕祜祿氏。弘毅公額亦都的女兒。生一子，洛博會。
繼妃，烏拉納拉氏。生二子，豪格、洛格。一女，下嫁旺第。
側妃，葉赫納拉氏。生一子，碩塞。
側妃，紮魯特博爾濟吉特氏。生兩女，下嫁誇紮、哈尚。
庶妃，納拉氏。生一子，高塞。二女，下嫁輝塞、拉哈。
庶妃，奇壘氏。察哈爾部人。生一女，下嫁吳應熊。
庶妃，顔紮氏。生一子，葉布舒。
庶妃，伊爾根覺羅氏。生一子，常舒。
庶妃，生一子，韜塞。
庶妃，生一女，下嫁班第。
子女身世與封號
皇太極生有11子14女。
子
愛新覺羅•豪格，長子，肅武親王。
愛新覺羅•洛格，早殤
愛新覺羅•洛博會，早殤。
愛新覺羅•葉布舒，四子，輔國公。
愛新覺羅•碩塞，五子，承澤裕親王。
愛新覺羅•高塞，六子，鎮國愨厚公。
愛新覺羅•常舒，七子，輔國公品級。
第八子，早殤。
愛新覺羅•福臨，九子，清世祖，順治帝。
愛新覺羅•韜塞，十子，輔國公。
愛新覺羅•博穆博果爾，十一子，襄昭親王。
女
長女：敖漢固倫公主，母繼妃烏喇那拉氏，嫁蒙古敖漢部郡王班第。
次女：固倫溫莊長公主，名馬喀塔，母孝端文皇后，先嫁蒙古察哈爾部林丹汗之子額哲，再嫁額哲弟阿布奈。
三女：固倫端靖長公主，母孝端文皇后，嫁蒙古科爾沁部奇塔特。
四女：固倫雍穆長公主，名雅圖，母孝莊文皇后，嫁蒙古科爾沁部弼爾塔哈爾。
五女：固倫淑慧長公主，名阿圖，母孝莊文皇后，先嫁正黃滿洲旗人索爾哈，再嫁蒙古巴林部色布騰。
六女：固倫公主，母側妃博爾濟吉特氏，嫁滿洲旗旗人誇札。
七女：固倫淑哲公主，母孝莊文皇后，嫁鑲黃滿洲旗旗人喇瑪思。
八女：固倫永安長公主，母孝端文皇后，嫁蒙古科爾沁部巴雅斯護朗。
九女：母側妃博爾濟吉特氏，嫁博爾濟吉特氏哈尚。
十女：縣君，母庶妃納喇氏，嫁滿洲旗人瓜爾佳氏輝塞。
十一女：固倫端順長公主，母懿靖大貴妃，嫁博爾濟吉特氏噶爾瑪索諾木。
十二女：鄉君品級，母氏闕，嫁博爾濟吉特氏班第。
十三女：母庶妃納喇氏，嫁滿洲旗人瓜爾佳氏哈拉。
十四女：和碩恪純長公主，母庶妃察哈爾奇壘氏，嫁吳三桂之子吳應熊（為平定三藩）
相關小說
《獨步天下》
《那海蘭珠》
《孝莊皇后》
《竟夕起相思》
《大清第一王妃》
Hong Taiji was responsible for consolidating the empire that his father, Nurhaci, had founded. He laid the groundwork for the conquering of the Ming dynasty, although he died before this was accomplished. He was responsible for changing the name of his people from Jurchen to Manchu in 1635 as well as that of the dynasty from Later Jin to Qing in 1636.
Name and titlesHong Taiji is written as (Hung Taiji) in the Manchu language. In Chinese, Hong Taiji is also known as Hóng Tàijí (洪太極) or Huáng Táijí (皇太極). This name corresponded to well-known Mongolian title Khong Tayiji (Crown Prince) which was sinicized as Hong Taiji or Huang Taizi. There are different views about the name Abahai. According to one view, the name Abakhai is wrong: Hong Taiji never mentioned under this name in Manchu and Chinese sources; it was a mistake done by Russian Sinologist G.V. Gorsky According to another view, Abakhai was a real name derived from Mongolian Abakai – honorary name given to younger sons of monarchs.[dubious – discuss] Abahai may be also a part of his era name in Manchu language (Abkai sure, or Tienzong 天聰). According to another view, Hong Taiji was mistakenly, referred to as Abahai in Western scholarly literature, the result of a confusion with Nurhaci's favorite concubine. He was first Khan of the Later Jin and then Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, after he changed its name. His title as Great Khan was Bogd Khaan (Manchu: Gosin Onco Hūwaliyasun Enduringge Han). His reign names were Tiāncōng (Chinese: 天聰, Manchu: ᠠᠪᡴᠠᡳ ᠰᡠᡵᡝ Abka-i sure) 1627–1636; and Chóngdé (Chinese:崇德, Manchu: ᠸᡝᠰᡳᡥᡠᠨ ᡝᡵᡩᡝᠮᡠᠩᡤᡝ Wesihun erdemungge, Mongolian: Degede Erdemtü) 1636–1643. His temple name was Tàizōng 太宗.
His posthumous name evolved to become longer and longer:
1643: Yingtian-xingguo-hongde-zhangwu-kuanwen-rensheng-ruixiao Wen Emperor (應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝文皇帝)
1662: Yingtian-xingguo-hongde-zhangwu-kuanwen-rensheng-ruixiao-longdao-xiangong Wen Emperor (應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝隆道顯功文皇帝)
"Prosperous Way and Manifestation of Might" was added
1723: Yingtian-xingguo-hongde-zhangwu-kuanwen-rensheng-ruixiao-jingming-longdao-xiangong Wen Emperor (應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝敬敏隆道顯功文皇帝)
"Reverence and Diligent" was added
1735: Yingtian-xingguo-hongde-zhangwu-kuanwen-rensheng-ruixiao-jingming-zhaoding-longdao-xiangong Wen Emperor (應天興國弘德彰武寬溫仁聖睿孝敬敏昭定隆道顯功文皇帝)
"Illustrious stability" was added
Consolidation of powerHong Taiji was the eighth son of Nurhaci, whom he succeeded as the second ruler of the Later Jin dynasty in 1626. Although it was always thought of as gossip, he was said to be involved in the suicide of Prince Dorgon's mother, Lady Abahai in order to block the succession of his younger brother. This is speculated because at the time of Nurhaci's death, there were 4 Lords/Beile with Hong Taiji as the lowest rank, but also the most fit one. Originally, at the end of Nurhaci's reign, Hong Taiji got hold of the two White Banners, but after Lady Abahai's death, he switched his two banners with Dorgon and Dodo's two Yellow banners (Nurhaci gave his two Yellow Banners to the two). In the end, Hong Taiji had control over the 2 strongest/highest class banners- the Plain/Bordered Yellow Banner and the most influence. From there, he slowly got rid of his competitor's powers. Later, he would also receive the Plain Blue Banner from one of Šurhaci's sons, which was the 3rd strongest banner as it was controlled by Nurhaci's brother. Those 3 banners would officially become the Upper Three Banners during the early part of the Qing Dynasty.
His reignDuring his reign, he started using officials of the Han ethnicity. Originally during Nurhaci's reign, Han people were heavily discriminated as Nurhaci despised them. Hong Taiji started incorporating Han people into the country and government. He realized that they would still be the majority and the Manchus would still be the minority, which means to control the Han people, they would need to live together or else the Qing Dynasty would be a repeat of the Yuan Dynasty.
ExpansionHe continued the expansion of the state in the region later known as Manchuria, pushing deeper into Mongolia and raiding Korea and Ming China. His personal military abilities were widely praised and he effectively developed the military-civil administration known as the Eight Banners or Banner system. This system was well-suited to accept the different peoples, primarily Chinese and Mongols, who joined the Manchu state either following negotiated agreements or military defeat.
In 1636, Hong Taiji invaded the Joseon Dynasty (see the Second Manchu invasion of Korea), as the latter did not accept that Hong Taiji had become emperor. With the Joseon Dynasty surrendered in 1637, Hong Taiji succeeded in making them cut off relations with the Ming Dynasty and force them to submit as protectorate of the Qing Empire. Also during this period, Hung Taji took over Inner Mongolia in three major wars, each of them victorious. In 1640 he completed the conquest of the Evenks, when he defeated and captured their leader Bombogor.
At the same time, Hong Taji upgraded the weapons of the Empire. He realized the advantage of the Red Cannons and later also bought the Red Cannons into the army. Though the Ming Dynasty still had more Cannons, Hong Taji now possessed the cannons of equal might and Asia's strongest cavalry.
Huang Taji's plan at first was to make a deal with the Ming Dynasty. If the Ming Dynasty was willing to give support and money that would be beneficial to the Qing's economy, the Qing Dynasty in exchange would not only be willing to not attack the borders, but also admit itself as a country one level lower than the Ming Dynasty; however, since all the Ming Court were reminded of the Jin Empire during the Song Dynasty, the court heavily refused the exchange. This ultimately forced Huang Taji to take the offensive.
The Change from Jin to QingIn 1635, Hong Taiji changed the name of his people from Jurchen (Manchu: Jušen) to Manchu, or Manju in the Manchu language. The original meaning of Manju is not known and so the reasons for its adoption remain opaque. There are many theories as to the reason for the choice of name but two of the most commonly cited are its sounding similar to the Manchu word for "brave" and a possible connection with the Bodhisattva Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, of whom Nurhaci claimed to be an incarnation.
The dynastic name Later Jin was a direct reference to the Jin dynasty founded by the Jurchen people, who ruled northern China from 1115 to 1234. As such, the name was likely to be viewed as closely tied to the Jurchens and would perhaps evoke hostility from Chinese who viewed the Song dynasty, rival state to the Jin, as the legitimate rulers of China at that time. Hong Taiji's ambition was to conquer China proper and overthrow the Ming dynasty, and to do that required not only a powerful military force but also an effective bureaucratic administration. For this, he used the obvious model, that of the Ming government, and recruited Ming officials to his cause. If the name of Later Jin would prove an impediment to his goal among many Chinese, then it was not too much to change it. Whatever the precise motivation, Hong Taiji proclaimed the establishment of the Qing dynasty in 1636. The reasons for the choice of Qing as the new name are likewise unclear, although it has been speculated that the sound – Jin and Qing are pronounced similarly in Manchu – or wuxing theory – traditional ideas held that fire, associated with the character for Ming, was overcome by water, associated with the character for Qing – may have influenced the choice. Another possible reason may be that Hong Taiji changed the name of the dynasty from (Later)Jin to Qing in 1636 because of internecine fraternal struggle and skirmish between brothers and half brothers for the throne. According to Taoist philosophy, the name Jin has the meaning of metal and fire in its constituent, thereby igniting the tempers of the brothers of the Manchu Royal household into open conflicts and wars. Huangtaiji therefore adopted the new name of Qing 清, the Chinese character of which has the water symbol [3 strokes] on its left hand side. The name, which means clear and transparent, with its water symbol was hoped to put out the feud among the brothers of the Manchu Royal household.
The banners statusBefore Hong Taiji was emperor, he controlled the 2 White banners. Upon Nurhaci's death, Hong Taiji immediately switched his 2 White Banners with Nurhaci's 2 Yellow Banners, which should have been passed on to Dorgun and his brothers. As the emperor, he is the holder of 3 banners out of 8. He controlled the Upper 3 Banners or the Elite banners of the time which at the time were the Plain/Bordered Yellow Banner and Plain Blue Banner. Later the Plain Blue Banner was switched by Dorgun to Plain White Banner as the 3rd Elite Banner. At the end of his reign, Huang Taji gave the 2 Yellow Banners to his eldest son-Haoge. Daisan, who was the 2nd son of Nurhaci, and his son controlled the 2 Red Banners. Dorgun and his 2 brothers controlled the 2 White Banners and Surachi's son-Chiurhala- controlled the remaining and Striped Blue Banner again.
DeathHong Taiji died on 21 September, possibly of stroke, just a few months before his army would seize control of Beijing. He actually issued an order for Xiao Zhuang Wen to follow him into the afterlife, however Dorgon forced him to change the decree. Since he was dying, he did not want to waste anymore time and changed his follower to Imperial Consort Chen. He therefore did not live to see his ambition of conquering Ming China come about, although his son, the Shunzhi Emperor, succeeded him and became the first of the Qing dynasty emperors to govern China. That the Qing state succeeded not only in conquering China but also in establishing a capable administration was due in large measure to the foresight and policies of Hong Taiji. His body was buried in Zhaoling, located in northern Shenyang.
LegacyAs the emperor, he is commonly recognized as having abilities similar to the best emperors such as Yongle, Tang Taizong because of his effective rule, effective use of talent, and effective warring skills. According to half historian and half writer Jin Yong, Huang Taji had the broad and wise views of Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Emperor Guangwu of Han, Emperor Wen of Sui, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Emperor Taizu of Song, Kublai Khan, the Hongwu Emperor, and the Yongle Emperor. His political abilities were paralleled only by Genghis Khan, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Emperor Guangwu of Han
. In this sense, Huang Taji is considered by some historians as the true first emperor for the Qing Dynasty
. Some historians suspect Huang Taji was overall underrated and overlooked as a great emperor because he was a Manchu.
FamilyFather
Nurhaci
Mother
Empress Xiaocigao, daughter of Prince Yangginu of the Yehenara (葉赫部貝勒楊吉砮)
ConsortsEmpress Xiaoduanwen
Empress Dowager Xiao Zhuang, initially Consort Zhuang (莊妃)
Consort Chen of Guansui Palace (关睢宫宸妃), posthumously titled First Consort Min Hui Gong He (敏惠恭和元妃) (died 1641), personal name Borjigit Harjol (博爾濟吉特·海蘭珠)
Noble Consort of Linzhi Palace (麟趾宫贵妃), posthumously titled Great Noble Consort Yi Jing (懿靖大貴妃) (died 1674), personal name Borjigit Namuzhong (博爾濟吉特.娜木鍾)
Virtuous Consort of Yanqing Palace (衍庆宫淑妃), posthumously titled Virtuous Consort Kang Hui (康惠淑妃) (died 1667), personal name Borjigit Batemazhao (博爾濟吉特.巴特瑪璪)
First Consort (元妃; Yuan Fei), Hong Taiji's first wife, daughter of Prince Eidu of the Niuhuru
Successor Consort (继妃; Ji Fei), of the Ulanara clan
Side Chamber Consort Yehenara (葉赫那拉側妃)
Side Chamber Consort Zaruborjigit (扎魯特博爾濟吉特側妃)
Ordinary Consort Nara (納喇庶妃)
Ordinary Consort Hilei (奇壘庶妃)
Ordinary Consort Yanja (顏扎庶妃)
Ordinary Consort Irgen Gioro (伊爾根覺羅庶妃)
unnamed Ordinary Consort
unnamed Ordinary Consort
Sons1.Hooge (1609–1648).
2.Loge (1611–1621).
3.Gebohui (1611–1617).
4.Yebušu (1627–1690).
5.Šose (1628–1655).
6.Gaose (1637–1670).
7.Cangšu (1637–1699).
8.unnamed eighth son who died young (1637–1638).
9.Fulin (1638–1661).
10.Taose (1639–1695).
11.Bombogor (1642–1656).
Daughters1.State Princess Aukhan (敖漢固倫公主)(1621–1654) married in 1633 Bandi of the Mongolian Borjigit clan.
2.State Princess Wen Zhuang (固倫靖端長公主), personal name Makata (馬喀塔) (1625–1663), married Eje of the Chakhar Mongols in 1635. In 1661 Eje died and Makata married Eje's younger brother Abunai.
3.State Princess Jing Duan (固倫靖端長公主) (1628–1686) married Jitate of the Mongolian Borjigit clan in 1639.
4.State Princess Yong Mu (固倫雍穆長公主), personal name Yatu (雅圖) (1629–1678) married her cousin Birtakhar in 1641.
5.State Princess Shu Hui (固倫淑慧長公主), personal name Atu (阿圖) (1632–1700).
6.State Princess (1633–1649).
7.State Princess Shu Zhe (固倫淑哲長公主) (1633–1648).
8.State Princess Yong An (固倫永安長公主) (1634–1692).
9.Ninth daughter (1635–1652).
10.Tenth daughter (1635–1661).
11.State Princess Duan Shun (固倫端順長公主) (1636–1650).
12.Twelved daughter (1637–1678).
13.Thirteenth daughter (1638–1657).
14.Princess of the second rank Ke Chun (和碩恪純長公主) (1641–1704).
| << 前一君主: 太祖 承天廣運聖德神功肇紀立極仁孝睿武端毅欽安弘文 努爾哈赤 | 後金皇太極 Huang Taiji (1626年～1636年) | |
| 清代皇太極 Huang Taiji (1636年～1643年) | 後一君主 >>: 德祖 玄皇帝 朱百六 |