Mandarhan

Overview

Mandarhan was a member of the Hesheli clan of the Bordered Blue Banner of the Manchus during the early Qing Dynasty. He was of the same clan as Tusitu and lived in Hada. The exact time of his submission to the Qing Dynasty is unknown. He once served as a military officer. The official clan genealogy of the Qianlong era, *The General Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, Volume 9, records that his son, Niuniu, also served as a military officer, and his grandson, Qishi, served as a scribe, showing a different path between the father and son's military service and the grandson's clerical work.

A military officer was a junior officer in the military system, managing his troops, training, and camp affairs. A scribe mainly handled official documents such as copying and translation. The Manchu word *bithesi* is related to *bithe* meaning "book" or "document," and should not be mistaken for a title. Qishi in the original text is a personal name, not seventy scribes.

The clan's inclusion of "of the same clan" indicates a family connection between Tusitu and Mandarhan, but does not specify a brotherly or father-son relationship. The "Man" in his name is not a separate Han surname. The original text and specific context of the title "Darhan" still need verification. Volume Ten records other Mandarhan and Mongol banners with the same name in the Yehe region, so the two banner affiliations cannot be mixed up based on the same name. This entry only confirms the original residence of Hada, the Bordered Blue Banner, the service of two generations of guards, and the position of one generation of clerk. The specific year of affiliation, the official office, and the modern old settlement are yet to be determined.