Gūwalgiya was one of the most powerful Manchu clans. It is often listed by historians as the first of the eight prominent Manchu clans of the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

. After the demise of the dynasty, some of its descendants sinicized their clan name to the Han

Chinese surname Chinese surnames are used by Han Chinese and Sinicization, Sinicized ethnic groups in Greater China, Korea, Vietnam and among overseas Chinese communities around the world such as Singapore and Malaysia. Written Chinese names begin with surnames, ...

''Guan'' ().

History

Origins and Early History

The Gūwalgiya clan can be traced back to the Jurchen people in the early 13th century, specifically the Jianzhou Jurchen tribes. The Name "Gūwalgiya" originally had been referred to a geographical location and later on was adopted as a clan name. The clan is believed to have originated from the Yalu River region (present-day Liaoning Province), around the area known as Sā'ěrhǔ (萨尔浒). During the late 16th century, Gūwalgiya Gāha, the son of Gūwalgiya Sōngāli, became the chieftain of Sā'ěrhǔ (萨尔浒) and allied with

Nurhaci Nurhaci (14 May 1559 – 30 September 1626), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Taizu of Qing, was the founding khan of the Jurchen people, Jurchen-led Later Jin (1616–1636), Later Jin dynasty. As the leader of the House of Aisin-Gi ...

, the founder of the Later Jin dynasty. This alliance was an important piece in the establishment of the Later Jin and later the

Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

. The Gūwalgiya clan played an important role in Nurhaci's military efforts, especially during the Battle of Sarhū. Their involvement in the war earned them a prominent position among the rising Manchu nobility.

Structure and Branches

The Clan is composed of several branches, each contributing to its legacy. Suwan Gūwalgiya is well known for its power and historical significance. It produced many influential leaders and military figures during the

. These leaders played a vital role in the clan's influence in the Manchu nobility. Yehe Gūwalgiya was recognized for its important military role. It has participated in several major conflicts that changed the political situation in

Northeast Asia Northeast Asia or Northeastern Asia is a geographical Subregion#Asia, subregion of Asia. Its northeastern landmass and islands are bounded by the Pacific Ocean, North Pacific Ocean. The term Northeast Asia was popularized during the 1930s by Ame ...

. Their strategic thinking and combat skills helped the clan succeed in these conflicts. Hada Gūwalgiya made significant contributions to the administration of the

. They helped organize the government and establish a stable rule over new territories that the

Qing The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

had taken control of. Ula Gūwalgiya played a vital role in military defense and local governance. They were responsible for protecting the clan's interests and ensuring their influence in various military campaigns. Shushu Gūwalgiya is known for its cultural contributions. They played a vital role in preserving and promoting cultural traditions. Throughout history, several prominent figures from the branch emerged as scholars, and cultural icons.

Notable Military efforts

The Gūwalgiya clan has a rich military history, participating in several key conflicts that were an vital role in the establishment of the

The Battle of Sarhu (1619)

Among the Gwalgiya clan's most significant conflicts was the Battle of Sarhu (1619). It was a war between

, ruler of the Later Jin, and the combined forces of the Ming and various Jurchen tribes. The Gūwalgiya clan, under the leadership of Gūwalgiya Gaha, played an important role in this battle. Their military forces used smart strategies and strong fighting skills, which were an vital piece in helping

to victory. The victory at Sarhū not only strengthened

's power but also changed the fight against the

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

Notable figures

Males

* Fiongdon (; 1562–1620), close associate of

** Huisai (; d. 1651), Fiongdon's grandson *** Fuzhen (d. 1909), Huisai's descendant * Oboi (1610–1669), Fiongdon's nephew; served as one of the Four Regents of the Kangxi Emperor * Nardu (; d. 1676), Oboi's nephew * Bahai (d. 1696), early Qing dynasty general * Wenxiang (1818–1876), late Qing dynasty statesman * Ronglu (1836–1903), late Qing dynasty mandarin, major confidant of

Empress Dowager Cixi Empress Dowager Cixi ( ; 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908) was a Manchu noblewoman of the Yehe Nara clan who effectively but periodically controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty as empress dowager and regent for almost 50 ...

* Guan Xiangying (; 1902–1946), Communist fighter, leader of the Communist Youth League of China * Kwan Shan (1933–2012), Hong Kong actor * John Kuan (born 1940),

Kuomintang The Kuomintang (KMT) is a major political party in the Republic of China (Taiwan). It was the one party state, sole ruling party of the country Republic of China (1912-1949), during its rule from 1927 to 1949 in Mainland China until Retreat ...

politician in Taiwan ; Prince Consort

Females

* Rosamund Kwan (born 1962), Hong Kong entertainer * Kathy Chow (1966–2023), Hong Kong actress * Guan Xiaotong (born 1997), Chinese actress Imperial Consort * Imperial Noble Consort ** Hanjiuchun, Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi (1683–1768), the

Kangxi Emperor The Kangxi Emperor (4 May 165420 December 1722), also known by his temple name Emperor Shengzu of Qing, personal name Xuanye, was the third emperor of the Qing dynasty, and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His reign of 61 ...

's consort, the mother of 18th daughter (1701) * Imperial Concubine ** Imperial Concubine Jian (d. 1780), the

Jiaqing Emperor The Jiaqing Emperor (13 November 1760 – 2 September 1820), also known by his temple name Emperor Renzong of Qing, personal name Yongyan, was the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty and the fifth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. He was ...

's concubine, the mother of first daughter (1780–1783) ** Imperial Concubine An (1785–1837), the

's first class female attendant Princess Consort * Primary Consort **

Šurhaci Šurhaci (; ; 1564 – 25 September 1611), was a Jurchen leader, a member of the Aisin Gioro clan, he was a younger brother of Nurhaci, the founder of the Later Jin dynasty, the predecessor of the Qing dynasty. Under the Ming dynasty governme ...

's fourth primary consort (d. 1623), the mother of Jasahatu (1589–1609), Princess (1590–1649), sixth daughter (b. 1595), Turan (1596–1614), seventh daughter (b. 1597), Jaisanggū (1598–1625), Nuomudai (1601–1613), eighth daughter (b. 1602), ninth daughter and tenth daughter (b. 1603) **

's seventh primary consort, the mother of Fiyanggū (1605–1644) ** Yunreng's primary consort (d. 1718), the mother of Princess (1697–1735) ** Yunxu's primary consort, the mother of second daughter (1716–1726) ** Mianyu's first primary consort (d. 1835), the mother of first son (1835) ** Mianyu's second primary consort (d. 1852), the mother of Yixiang (1849–1886) ** Yiwei's primary consort (d. 1827) ** Yixin's primary consort (1834–1880), the mother of Princess Rongshou (1854–1924), Zaicheng (1858–1885), second daughter (1860–1864) and Zaijun (1864–1866) ** Youlan (1884–1921), Zaifeng's primary consort, the mother of

Puyi Puyi (7 February 190617 October 1967) was the final emperor of China, reigning as the eleventh monarch of the Qing dynasty from 1908 to 1912. When the Guangxu Emperor died without an heir, Empress Dowager Cixi picked his nephew Puyi, aged tw ...

(1906–1967), Pujie (1907–1994), Yunying (1909–1925), Yunhe (1911–2001) and Yunying (1913–1992) * Secondary Consort ** Fuquan's secondary consort, the mother of fourth daughter (1681 – 1682 or 1683), Baotai (1682–1730) and Baoshou (1684–1706) ** Yunki's secondary consort, the mother of Hongzhi (1700–1775), third son (1702–1707), Hong'ang (1705–1782), fifth son (1707) and fifth daughter (1708–1710) ** Yuntao's secondary consort, the mother of third daughter (1728) ** Yinxiang's secondary consort, the mother of Princess (1703–1776) and Hongchang (1706–1771) ** Yunxu's secondary consort, the mother of first daughter (1716–1717), first son (1718–1719), second son (1719–1720), third daughter (1722–1730), Lady (1722–1745), Hongqing (1724–1770), Hongshou (1727–1731) and fifth daughter (1729–1748) ** Yongzhang's secondary consort, the mother of Lady (1755–1777) * Concubine **

Dodo The dodo (''Raphus cucullatus'') is an extinction, extinct flightless bird that was endemism, endemic to the island of Mauritius, which is east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. The dodo's closest relative was the also-extinct and flightles ...

's concubine, the mother of Bakedu (1640–1668) **

's concubine, the mother of Zhakedu (1644–1689) ** Hooge's concubine, the mother of first daughter (1631–1692)

References

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