Bala

Overview

Balai was a member of the Hesheli clan of the Bordered Red Banner of the Manchus during the early Qing Dynasty. He was the son of Garzhu Feiyanggu, the eighth son of Muhulu, the governor of the Manchu garrison. His family had lived in Heduomuhalian for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at its beginning. The official genealogy of the Manchu clans of the Eight Banners, Volume 9, compiled during the Qianlong reign, records that his grandson Daita served as a defense commander, his great-grandson Nikali served as a captain in the Imperial Guard, and Feika served as a cavalry captain. Wohe was awarded the title of Yunqiwei for his meritorious service in the campaigns against Yunnan and Guizhou, and this title was passed down to his son Yaosebao.

Defense commanders, captains in the Imperial Guard, and cavalry captains were respectively within the management system of the banner camps and the Imperial Guard. Yunqiwei was a hereditary military title. Wohe's actual military rank and the title he received should be separated; Yaosebao's inheritance of the title did not automatically grant him the position of defense commander. The original book lists Wohe as a great-grandson, and it is incorrect to change the title to Balai's son or attribute his military achievements to his ancestor.

Yuansun Tuohai, Yakeshiku, and Ladu served as Yuanwailang (Assistant Gentlemen-in-Waiting), while Wunahan and Changdai served as Bitieshi (Brush-Staff). Fifth-generation descendant Zhaozhuna served as Tongpan (Prefectural Magistrate), and sixth-generation descendant Wuertai served as Bitieshi. Yuanwailang were civil officials, Tongpan participated in local affairs at the prefectural level, and Bitieshi handled documents and Manchu-Chinese writing. Fourth-generation descendant Lalonga is only recorded as a warehouse official, but the specific warehouse office is unknown. The modern correspondence between the names, the middle paternal lineage, and the original residence still needs verification based on the original inscription. Civil and military positions are not considered as a single hereditary continuation.