Narhun

Overview

Narhun was a member of the Shumulu clan of the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Manchus during the early Qing Dynasty. His family had lived in Hunchun for generations and submitted to the Qing during the Tiancong era. Volume 6 of the official clan genealogy compiled during the Qianlong reign, *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his great-grandson Aliken served as a defense officer; his great-great-grandson Wudachan served as an infantry officer; Shangjitu served as a defense officer; his fourth-generation descendants Heise served as a personal guard officer; Baise served as a defense officer; and Dese, Shentu, Ente, and Luomi served as guard officers.

*Tiancong* was the reign title used by Huang Taiji during the Later Jin period, generally corresponding to 1627-1636, indicating that the submission occurred before the conquest of China. Defense officer, infantry officer, personal guard officer, and guard officer were all military ranks, but belonged to different organizational systems such as banner camps, infantry, or personal guard; the personal guard officer managed corresponding personal guard personnel and was not equivalent to a general bodyguard rank.

His fifth-generation descendant, Mazhao, served as an acting commander in the campaign against the Dzungars and died in battle at Hetong Hurhanaor. He was posthumously awarded the title of Yunqiwei, which was inherited by his son Maisihan. The appointment indicates a temporary military post, while Yunqiwei is a posthumously awarded hereditary title; the son inherits the title but does not automatically become a commander. In this generation, Mardai served as a zuoling, and his sixth-generation descendant Hailan served as a defender. Hunchun provided the original residence area, while Hetongze was the battlefield for later generations; the two cannot be confused as family residences. The specific battle details and intermediate genealogy of Ma Zhao still await verification by the original printed edition.