Artash

Overview

Artash was a member of the Irgen Gioro clan of the Plain Blue Banner during the early Qing Dynasty, residing in the Muxi area.

The official clan genealogy of the Qianlong era, *The General Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, Volume 12, records that at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, he led seven villages to submit to the Qing. Nurhaci married him to a woman from the imperial clan and established a Zuo-ling (military command) for his eldest son, Ashan, to manage it.

The imperial marriage is recorded by the individual, while the management of the Zuo-ling was the responsibility of the eldest son; therefore, it cannot be confused with Artash's personal command of the same Zuo-ling.

Ashan later received numerous merits and titles for his contributions in battles in Liaodong, Yizhou, and Pi Island, and served as a Du-tong (military commander). His title underwent periods of punishment, restoration, and succession by his descendants.

The Pi Island campaign involved leading the left-wing naval force across the sea; the naval organization cannot be omitted and simply described as a land battle.

The ranks of Duke, Marquis, Viscount, Baron, and Light Cavalry Captain belonged to the hierarchy of meritorious officials, while Du-tong was a substantive military and political official of the Eight Banners. These must be explained separately; Ashan's highest title cannot be attributed to his father.

Artash's second son, Adahai, was a Zharguchi; his third son, Jirhai, served as a commander-in-chief; and his fourth son, Galai, served as a deputy commander-in-chief and captain.

The role of the Zharguchi in the early Later Jin system was related to adjudicating lawsuits and governing affairs, and should not be omitted due to unfamiliarity with the Chinese translation.