Alingga (,

Manchu The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria derives its name. The Later Jin (1616–1636) and ...

: ; ''c''.1670–1716), of the

Niohuru The Niohuru (Manchu: ; in Manchu) were a prominent Manchu clan during the Qing dynasty. The clan had inhabited the Changbai Mountains since as early as the Liao dynasty. The clan was well known during the Qing dynasty for producing a variety of ...

clan, was a Manchu noble of the

Bordered Yellow Banner The Bordered Yellow Banner () was one of the Eight Banners of Manchu military and society during the Later Jin and Qing dynasty of China. The Bordered Yellow Banner was one of three "upper" banner armies under the direct command of the emperor hi ...

. An official at court during the late reign of the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 1654– 20 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, born Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, reigning from 1661 to 1 ...

, Alingga played a major role in the succession struggle between the sons of the emperor. Born into a prominent imperial family as the son of

Ebilun Ebilun (Manchu:, Mölendroff: ebilun; ; died 1673) was a Manchu noble and warrior of the Niohuru clan, most famous for being one of the Four Regents assisting the young Kangxi Emperor from 1661 to 1667, during the early Qing dynasty (1644–1912 ...

, Alingga's sister was one of the Kangxi Emperor's highly ranked consorts, and his daughter married

Yunli Yunli (24 March 1697 – 21 March 1738), born Yinli, formally known as Prince Guo, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. Life Yinli was born in the Aisin Gioro clan as the 17th son of the Kangxi Emperor. His mother was Consort Qin (勤 ...

, the Prince Guo.

Biography

Alingga's birthdate is unknown. He was the seventh son of

, one of the main advisors to the

in the latter's early reign, Alingga grew up in a prominent household. He initially was an imperial bodyguard, then ''niru'' (佐領). Alingga became a top officer of the emperor's personal protection unit and the Manchu head of the Bordered Yellow Banner military force. His elder sister was

Noble Consort Wenxi Noble Consort Wenxi (died 19 December 1694), of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Niohuru clan, was a consort of the Kangxi Emperor. Life Noble Consort Wenxi's personal name was not recorded in history. Family background Noble Consort Wenxi' ...

(溫僖貴妃), a highly ranked imperial consort of the Kangxi Emperor. After she died, Alingga represented his family in mourning her. Alingga did not get along with his older brother Faka (法喀) and frequently attempted to cast sorcery spells against him. Alingga had inherited the first-class duke title originally bestowed upon Faka after the death of their father. Faka complained about Alingga's behavior to the emperor. The emperor, incensed at Alingga, dismissed him from his posts but retained his noble title. He was later restored as a first-class bodyguard and a leader of the Plain Blue Banner Mongol forces. He later was named an officer of the imperial guard, and minister responsible for ''

Lifan Yuan The Lifan Yuan (; ; Mongolian: Гадаад Монголын төрийг засах явдлын яам, ''γadaγadu mongγul un törü-yi jasaqu yabudal-un yamun'') was an agency in the government of the Qing dynasty of China which administered ...

''. In 1708, the 47th year of Kangxi's reign, Alingga became one of the most vocal supporters of

Yunsi Yunsi (29 March 1680 – 5 October 1726), born as Yinsi, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty in China. The eighth son of the Kangxi Emperor, Yunsi was a pivotal figure in the power struggle over the succession to his father's throne. Y ...

for the position of crown prince, and was criticized by the emperor, as Yunsi was not in imperial favor. Alingga died in 1716, the 55th year of Kangxi's reign. His daughter Lady Niohuru became wife to

, the Prince Guo. He was also father of Arsungga, a major official during the reign of the

Yongzheng Emperor , regnal name = , posthumous name = Emperor Jingtian Changyun Jianzhong Biaozhen Wenwu Yingming Kuanren Xinyi Ruisheng Daxiao Zhicheng Xian()Manchu: Temgetulehe hūwangdi () , temple name = Shizong()Manchu: Šidzung () , house = Aisin Gioro ...

. The Yongzheng Emperor reserved particular scorn for Alingga, possibly as a result of the latter's endorsement of Yunsi during the battle for succession. In 1735, the Yongzheng Emperor said to his assembled officials, "in today's court, the most treacherous, most selfishly bent on seeking their own gain; the worst of them are Alingga and Kuiju". The emperor accused Alingga of spreading rumors in order to support the cause of Yunsi assuming the position of crown prince. Additionally, the emperor placed on Alingga's tombstone the remarks "he was not a good subject, not a good younger brother, violent, and mediocre."Original in Chinese: 令夺官，遣往奉天守其祖墓；并将阿灵阿墓碑改镌‘不臣不弟暴悍贪庸阿灵阿之墓’，以正其罪

In popular culture

Alingga appeared as a character in numerous Chinese television series, including ''

Yongzheng Dynasty ''Yongzheng Dynasty'' is a 1999 Chinese historical television series starring Tang Guoqiang and Jiao Huang. The series, spanning 44 episodes, occupied the CCTV-1 prime time slot; after its premiere, there have been many re-runs of the show on telev ...

'', ''

Scarlet Heart ''Scarlet Heart'' (, lit. ''Startling by Each Step'') is a 2011 Chinese television series based on the novel ''Bu Bu Jing Xin'' by Tong Hua. It premiered in China on Hunan Broadcasting System (HBS) on 10 September 2011. The series tells the st ...

'', and ''

Palace II ''Palace II'' (Chinese: 宫锁珠帘, lit. ''Locked Beaded Curtain'') is a 2012 Chinese television series written and produced by Yu Zheng and directed by Lee Wai-chu. It is a sequel to the 2011 television series ''Palace''. The series was firs ...

''. Contemporary understandings of Alingga are basically derived from two sources - the ''

Draft History of Qing The ''Draft History of Qing'' () is a draft of the official history of the Qing dynasty compiled and written by a team of over 100 historians led by Zhao Erxun who were hired by the Beiyang government of the Republic of China. The draft was publis ...

'', which features a short biography of him, and various edicts issued by the

, who despised him. It is therefore difficult to ascertain what kind of life he truly led or his personal character, as the Yongzheng Emperor's opinions were likely affected by Alingga's allegiance to the emperor's political rivals.

References and notes

*''Draft History of the Qing'', Chapter 287, Biographies, 74 {{reflist 1716 deaths Manchu politicians Niohuru clan Year of birth uncertain