| 姓： | 爱新觉罗 | ||||||||||||
| 名： | 皇太极 | ||||||||||||
| 网笔号： | 应天兴国弘德彰武宽温仁圣睿孝敬敏昭定隆道显功文皇帝 | ||||||||||||
| 庙号： | 太宗 | ||||||||||||
| 陵墓： | 昭陵 | ||||||||||||
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性别：男
民族：女真族（今满族前身）
出生日期：明万历二十年（1592年）十月二十五日。
努尔哈赤第八子，母孝慈高皇后叶赫纳拉氏。
明天启六年（1626年）在沈阳继后金汗位。次年改元天聪。他对内大力推行封建化的改革，加强中央集权；对外相继征服了蒙古和朝鲜，并多次带兵攻打明朝，将西部国界扩张至锦州、宁远一线。十年四月改元崇德，改国号大清，正式称帝。
生卒时日：1592——1643，享年52岁，在位17年。
谥号：应天兴国弘德彰武宽温仁圣睿孝文皇帝。
寝陵：昭陵（沈阳北陵）
庙号：（清）太宗。
姓名：皇太极
属相：龙
年号：天聪，崇德
庙号：太宗
谥号：文皇帝
出生日期：明万历二十年十月二十五日（1592年11月28日）
出生地：费阿拉城
死亡地：沈阳清宁宫
陵寝：昭陵（沈阳北陵）
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）
在位年数：17年
享年：52
父：太祖努尔哈赤
母：叶赫那拉孟古，后尊为孝慈高皇后
排行：太祖第八子
初婚：22岁，博尔济吉特哲哲为皇后
配偶：15人，皇后博尔济吉特哲哲
子女：11子，14女
继位之“初”，加强集权
皇太极继位之初，后金面临的形势十分严峻。由于多次对外掠夺，处境孤立，受到明朝、蒙古、朝鲜的包围。内部由于贵族分权势力的矛盾，冲突日益严重。他虽继承了汗位，但实际上是同代善、阿敏、莽古尔泰三大贝勒“按月分值”政务。权力分散，事事掣肘，徒有“一汗虚名”。为了加强中央集权，推进封建化的改革，皇太极采取各个击破的手段，打击、削弱分权势力，提高汗权。天聪四年，皇太极以阿敏弃守滦州、永平（今河北卢龙）、迁安、遵化四城的罪名，将其终身幽禁。五年，莽古尔泰同皇太极发生口角时，竟拔刀相向。皇太极借机以“御前露刃”之罪，革去莽古尔泰大贝勒衔。至此，四大贝勒，仅剩他和代善两人。六年，皇太极终于废除了与三大贝勒俱南面坐、共理政务的旧制，改成自己南面独坐，取得了汗的独尊地位。另外，皇太极仿照明制，逐步建立国家统治机构，以取代八旗制度所行使的国家权力。三年，建立了由满汉文人组成的“文馆”，职掌“翻译汉字书籍”，“记注本朝政事”，为皇太极推行汉化运筹帷幄。五年，设立吏、户、礼、兵、刑、工六部，分掌国家行政事务。十年，又将“文馆”扩充为内国史院、内秘书院、内弘文院，统称“内三院”，负责撰拟诏令、编纂史书、掌管和起草对外文书与敕谕、讲经注史、颁布制度等。稍后，又建立了都察院，改蒙古衙门为理藩院。皇太极通过这套政权机构，把权力集中到自己的手中。
发展经济，国内改革
在经济上，由于努尔哈赤晚年在辽东实行“抗拒者被戮，俘取者为奴”的奴隶制政策，汉人纷纷逃亡和暴动，生产凋敝，后金社会动荡不安。为了缓和社会矛盾，皇太极执政伊始，便提出“治国之要，莫先安民”的方针，把原先努尔哈赤所推行的汉人每十三壮丁编为一庄，按满官品级分给为奴的政策改为每备御止给壮丁八人、牛二头，以备使令，其余汉人分屯别居，用汉官管理，使大量汉族奴隶取得了“民户”地位，成为后金政权下的个体农民。天聪五年，皇太极颁布《隶主条例》，其中规定“凡奴隶主犯有私行拓猎、擅杀人命、隐匿战利品、奸污属下妇女、冒功滥荐、压制申诉等罪，许奴仆告发，准其离主”。这一条例，限制了满洲贵族的某些特权，有利于奴仆争取改变自己的身份和地位。为了促进农业生产，皇太极注意体恤民力，凡有妨农务的工程，一律不复兴筑，使百姓能“专勤南亩，以重本务”。经过几年的努力，农业有了较大发展，粮食基本上能够自给，社会矛盾得到缓和。
屡败朝鲜，四面结盟
皇太极在国内大力实行改革时，并没有放弃努尔哈赤对外进行侵略扩张的政策。他认为要战胜明朝，首先要征服蒙古和朝鲜，这既可以解除后顾之懮，又可以利用他们的力量，共同对付明朝。天聪元年一月，皇太极不宣而战，命阿敏、济尔哈朗、阿济格等人，率三万大军入侵朝鲜，迫使朝鲜签订《江都和约》。1636年，皇太极又以朝鲜“屡败盟誓”，“助明害我”为由，亲率十万大军入侵朝鲜，包围南汉山城。国王李倧被迫投降，称臣纳贡，允诺与明朝断绝往来，并将王子送沈阳为人质。对蒙古，皇太极采取“慑之以兵，怀之以德”的政策。首先争取与察哈尔林丹汗不和的科尔沁、喀喇沁等部的归附。天聪二年，达成共同征讨林丹汗的协议。经过几次征战，林丹汗势力大衰。八年，林丹汗在青海大草滩出痘病死。九年初，皇太极命多尔衮等率一万人渡黄河西进，至托里图，俘获了林丹汗子额哲及其部众一千余户，统一了漠南蒙古。为了笼络蒙古封建上层分子，皇太极用联姻、赏赐、封王封爵、定外藩功臣袭职例、崇奉喇嘛教、与西藏僧俗头领建立联系等手段，取得了蒙古诸部的支持和效忠。
统一漠南
为了弥补女真;满洲人数太少的根本弱点，为了清除北方、东北方向来的威胁，为了斩断明国右臂，皇太极加紧进行统一漠南蒙古各部的征抚工作。一方面屡派使者，招诱巴林等部归附，另一方面，集中兵力对付察哈尔部林丹汗。天聪六年(明崇祯五年，1632)四月初一，皇太极率军离沈阳，西征林丹汗，适值辽河水涨，人马浮水而过，两昼夜始渡完。沿途蒙古各部贝勒纷纷遵奉率兵从征谕旨前来相会，到十二比来会者有喀喇沁、土默特、喀喇车里克、伊苏忒、扎鲁特、敖汉、奈曼、阿禄、巴林、科尔沁等部及北边蒙古诸部奥巴等数十位贝勒，均献酒献马，汗设大宴相待。
四月十六日，金汗召集各贝勒，嘉奖踊跃遵命之贝勒，训斥怠缓之人。皇太极谕：“朕以察哈尔不道，整旅往征，先期谕令尔等率本部兵来会。今尔等所领之兵，多寡不齐，迟速亦异，惟科尔沁部土谢图额驸奥巴率来军士甚多，又不惜所蓄马匹，散给部众，疾驰来会”，“足见立心诚意，忧乐相同，朕甚嘉之”。至于舅舅吴克善的行动，则使“朕心不甚欢乐”。扎鲁特部诸贝勒，“尚属实心效力”，敖汉、奈曼诸贝勒，亦“较优，然也未为尽善”。巴林诸贝勒似尚畏惧察哈尔，且“吝惜马匹，怠缓不前”，阿禄诸贝勒“深受林丹汗之欺凌，乃此次并不思仗朕之力以复仇，而不多发兵马”，“仅以一旅之师勉强应命”，“应俟班师日议罪”。各贝勒皆叩首受命。这次训谕，对激励和鞭策蒙古踊跃从征，起了很大作用。
皇太极下令，日夜兼程，直取林丹汗住地，一举荡平察哈尔。四月二十二日，大军过兴安岭，行军已达一千三百多里(从沈阳算起)。但是，连一个察哈尔人也未看到，原来镶黄旗固山额真达尔哈家的两名旧蒙古人，于十八日夜间潜盗良马六匹，飞奔察哈尔，通知金兵大举来攻。“林丹汗闻之大惧，遍谕部众，弃本土而奔，遣入赴归化城(今年蒙呼和浩特)，驱富民及牲畜尽渡黄河。察哈尔国人仓卒逃遁，一切辎重，皆委之而去。”皇太极知悉此情，谕领兵诸贝勒大臣：“察哈尔知我整旅而来，必不敢交锋，追愈急，则彼遁愈远，我军马疲粮竭，不如且赴归化城暂住”。于是大军向归化城前进。五月二十三日，至木鲁哈喇克沁，分兵两翼，左翼以贝勒阿济格为帅，率科尔沁土谢图额驸奥巴及巴林、扎鲁特、喀喇沁、土默特、阿禄等部兵一万，往掠大同、宣府边外一带察哈尔部民；右翼命济尔哈朗、岳托、德格类、萨哈廉、多尔衮、多铎、豪格等贝勒领兵二万，往掠归化城黄河一带部民；汗与大贝勒代善、贝勒莽古尔泰统大军继进。二十七日获悉，林丹汗闻金兵入境，惊慌失措，“尽携部民、牲畜、财物，渡黄河以遁，所遗止穷民耳”。这一天，大军行驰七百里，西至黄河木纳汉山，东至宣府，自归化城南及明国边境，“所在居民逃匿者，悉俘之，归附者，编为户口”。
一些蒙古人逃入明境沙河堡，皇太极致书堡中明将，索取逃人，称：“我北征察哈尔，穷追四十一日，擒其哨卒讯之，云已星夜逃去”，“我欲收其部民，因还兵克归化城”，“近闻察哈尔所遗人畜财物，为尔等收留，当一一归还于我。否则，自取祸患。”明将大惊，立即送还逃入蒙古及欲赏与林丹汗之财物，计有男妇三百二十名、牲畜一千余及所赏纳缎布帛六千余匹。宣府守将亦将犒赏察哈尔汗所财物存在张家口者，全部献出，计缎布及虎豹狐獭等皮共一万二千五百匹(张)。明宣府巡抚、总兵又遵金汗谕旨，议和通市，赠献黄金、白银、蟒缎、布匹、茶叶数千(匹、两、包)。六月二十四日，大军扎营于张家口外喀喇把尔噶孙，“列三十营，联络四十里”。分略各路大兵，“所至村堡，悉焚其庐舍，弃其粮糗，各籍所俘获，以闻于上，共计人口牲畜十万有余”。
皇太极认为此战目的基本达到，遂统军东返，于七月二十四日回到沈阳。此行往返万余里，历时三个月零二十六天，虽未生擒林丹汗，但已给其以致命打击，逼其丢弃本土远逃，察哈尔部分崩瓦解。林丹汗率残部星夜逃往西藏，“臣民素苦其暴虐，抗违不行”，原有三十余万部众，途中逃散者十之七八。到天聪八年，无处安身东逃西遁的林丹汗，病死于青海大草滩，余部纷纷回归，投顺于金汗。天聪九年二月，多尔衷等贝勒奉谕统兵一万，往寻林丹汗之子额哲，于四月降额哲及其母苏泰太后，并获元朝历代传国玉玺。林丹汗之妻囊囊太后，窦土门福晋，以及其他贝勒、寨桑，纷率所部来归。漠南蒙古各部悉隶金汗之下。
皇太极深知，只靠一二次征剿和随从效力，并不能使各部蒙古长期归顺于己，也不能仅仅依靠盟誓，而须以武力作后盾，用制度、法令来约束各部，使他们听从金汗统辖和指挥。天聪三年正月，他颁敕谕于科尔沁、敖汉、奈曼、喀尔喀，喀喇沁，“令悉遵我朝制度”。三月，他又遣使臣赍敕，“谕归顺各部蒙古诸贝勒，申定军令”，规定凡遇出师之时，宜踊跃争赴，协力同心，不得迟期。若征察哈尔，凡管旗之诸贝勒，年七十以下十三以上，俱须从征，违者，罚马一百匹驼十头。迟三日不至约会之地，罚马十匹。若征明国，每旗大贝勒一员、台吉二员，率精兵百人从征，违者，罚马一千匹、驼百头。于相约会集之地掳掠者，罚马百匹、驼十头。
天聪八年正月，皇太极借外藩蒙古科尔沁、敖汉、阿禄、喀喇沁、奈曼、四子部落等部贝勒来朝的机会，具体定其法例。他谕告诸贝勒：“尔蒙古诸部落，向因法制未备，陋习不除”，今与诸贝勒约定：凡贝勒夺有夫之妇配与他人者，罚马五十匹、驼五只，其纳妇之人，罚七九之数，给与原夫。奸有夫之妇，拐投别贝勒者，男妇俱论死，取其妻子牲畜，尽给原夫，如贝勒不执送，罚贝勒马五十匹、驼五只。盔甲、绵甲、马鬃尾无牌印，以及盔缨、纛缨、纛幅不遵金国制度者，俱罪之。
同年十月，遣使者阿什达尔汉前往蒙古，在硕翁科尔大会敖汉、奈曼、巴林、扎鲁特、翁牛特、四子、吴喇忒、喀喇沁、土默特、塔赖各部管事大小诸贝勒，分定各部地界，严禁各部互相侵越，第二年天聪九年二月，又编审内外喀喇沁蒙古壮丁，除盲人及手足残废者外，年六十岁以下、十八岁以上，俱照例编审，共编壮丁一万六千九百五十三名，其中喀喇沁左翼旗、喀喇沁右翼旗、土默特三旗壮丁共九千一百二十三名，仍隶于满洲八旗之内，另外七千八百三十丁，加上旧蒙古，正式编立蒙古八旗，分由阿代、达赖、恩格图、布彦代、伊拜、苏纳、吴赖、扈什布等八人为同山额真，各旗均设梅勒章京、甲喇章京各二员。
漠南蒙古各部的统一及蒙古八旗的编立，为金国扩大了兵源，增加了兵马，加强了满蒙联盟，消除了来自北方的威胁，对金国的巩固和强大，以及对明国的征讨，均起了重大作用，从此以后，金国汗便可全力攻明了。
开科取士，招募人才
皇太极深知满族要想入主中原，必须取得汉族地主阶级的支持。因此，他十分重视汉族地主知识分子和明朝降官降将的作用，对他们采取招降收买政策。天聪三年，首次考试儒生，网罗了两百名汉族文人。此后又多次举行考试，分别优劣，量才录用。五年，大凌河战役后，对大批降将赐以庄田、奴仆、马匹，并委以官职。天聪七、八年间，孔有德、耿仲明、尚可喜、沉志祥等明朝将领纷纷自愿来投，皇太极对他们封王封侯，宠荣备至。随着蒙古的臣服，明朝将领的降顺，皇太极逐步建立蒙古八旗和汉军八旗，大大增强了军事力量。
沈阳称帝，明将投降
天聪十年四月，皇太极在沈阳称帝，从此全力以赴地对明朝发动侵略。是年秋，他命阿济格统兵南侵，掠夺人畜十八万。崇德三年，又命多尔衮、岳托率军南侵。攻破城池五十多处，虏获人口四十六万，金银百余万两。为了从正面打开山海关，自五年三月起，发动了锦州战役。明廷派蓟辽总督洪承畴率十三万大军往援锦州祖大寿。皇太极指挥作战，后明军因塔山粮草被夺而决定分成两路突围。承畴等人突围未成，困守松山城，松山副将夏承德密约降清，以为内应。1642年二月十八日松山城陷，洪承畴被俘，祖大寿在锦州投降。至此，明朝在关外仅剩宁远一孤城。
猝然长逝，身后谥号
公元1643年八月初九，皇太极在清宁宫中猝然病死（“端坐无疾而终”，应是心肌梗塞或脑溢血之类的疾病），葬沈阳昭陵（通称沈阳北陵）。庙号太宗，谥号“应天兴国弘德彰武宽温仁圣睿孝敬敏昭定隆道显功文皇帝”。
一后四妃，出自蒙古，均为蒙古最高姓氏博尔济吉特氏 孝端文皇后，博尔济吉特氏，（博尔济吉特氏是蒙古黄金家族的姓氏，皇后、宸妃和庄妃都是蒙古科尔沁部人）名哲哲。正宫皇后。生三女，下嫁额哲、奇塔特、巴雅思祜朗。
孝庄文皇后，博尔济吉特氏，名布木布泰，永福宫庄妃，孝端文皇后侄女，海兰珠之妹。生一子，顺治帝。三女，下嫁弼尔塔哈尔、色布腾、铿吉尔格。
敏惠恭和元妃，博尔济吉特氏，名海兰珠。关睢宫宸妃，孝端文皇后侄女。生一子，不满一岁而殇。 她也是皇太极最宠爱的妃子。
懿靖大贵妃，博尔济吉特氏,名娜木钟。麟趾宫贵妃。生一子，博穆博果尔。一女，下嫁噶尔玛索诺木。
康惠淑妃，博尔济吉特氏，名巴特玛。衍庆宫淑妃。
元妃，钮祜禄氏。弘毅公额亦都的女儿。生一子，洛博会。
继妃，乌拉纳拉氏。生二子，豪格、洛格。一女，下嫁旺第。
侧妃，叶赫纳拉氏。生一子，硕塞。
侧妃，扎鲁特博尔济吉特氏。生两女，下嫁夸扎、哈尚。
庶妃，纳拉氏。生一子，高塞。二女，下嫁辉塞、拉哈。
庶妃，奇垒氏。察哈尔部人。生一女，下嫁吴应熊。
庶妃，颜扎氏。生一子，叶布舒。
庶妃，伊尔根觉罗氏。生一子，常舒。
庶妃，生一子，韬塞。
庶妃，生一女，下嫁班第。
子女身世与封号
皇太极生有11子14女。
子
爱新觉罗•豪格，长子，肃武亲王。
爱新觉罗•洛格，早殇
爱新觉罗•洛博会，早殇。
爱新觉罗•叶布舒，四子，辅国公。
爱新觉罗•硕塞，五子，承泽裕亲王。
爱新觉罗•高塞，六子，镇国悫厚公。
爱新觉罗•常舒，七子，辅国公品级。
第八子，早殇。
爱新觉罗•福临，九子，清世祖，顺治帝。
爱新觉罗•韬塞，十子，辅国公。
爱新觉罗•博穆博果尔，十一子，襄昭亲王。
女
长女：敖汉固伦公主，母继妃乌喇那拉氏，嫁蒙古敖汉部郡王班第。
次女：固伦温庄长公主，名马喀塔，母孝端文皇后，先嫁蒙古察哈尔部林丹汗之子额哲，再嫁额哲弟阿布奈。
三女：固伦端靖长公主，母孝端文皇后，嫁蒙古科尔沁部奇塔特。
四女：固伦雍穆长公主，名雅图，母孝庄文皇后，嫁蒙古科尔沁部弼尔塔哈尔。
五女：固伦淑慧长公主，名阿图，母孝庄文皇后，先嫁正黄满洲旗人索尔哈，再嫁蒙古巴林部色布腾。
六女：固伦公主，母侧妃博尔济吉特氏，嫁满洲旗旗人夸札。
七女：固伦淑哲公主，母孝庄文皇后，嫁镶黄满洲旗旗人喇玛思。
八女：固伦永安长公主，母孝端文皇后，嫁蒙古科尔沁部巴雅斯护朗。
九女：母侧妃博尔济吉特氏，嫁博尔济吉特氏哈尚。
十女：县君，母庶妃纳喇氏，嫁满洲旗人瓜尔佳氏辉塞。
十一女：固伦端顺长公主，母懿靖大贵妃，嫁博尔济吉特氏噶尔玛索诺木。
十二女：乡君品级，母氏阙，嫁博尔济吉特氏班第。
十三女：母庶妃纳喇氏，嫁满洲旗人瓜尔佳氏哈拉。
十四女：和硕恪纯长公主，母庶妃察哈尔奇垒氏，嫁吴三桂之子吴应熊（为平定三藩）
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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).
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