Karchi

Overview

Karqi was a member of the Irgen Gioro clan of the Plain Red Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. His family had lived in Fola for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Volume 14 of the official clan genealogy compiled during the Qianlong reign, *The General Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, does not record his official position. His grandson Huanta served as an Imperial Censor; Dadai and Zhuoying'e served as Defense Commanders; Ese served as a Cavalry Commander; Fudaqi served as a Bow Craftsmen's Assistant Commander; and Laba was a student of the Imperial Academy. These titles belonged to later generations and could not be transferred to him to hold multiple positions simultaneously.

Imperial Censors were involved in oversight affairs; Defense Commanders and Cavalry Commanders were military administrative officials; and students of the Imperial Academy were of an educational background—these were different in nature. The term "bow craftsmen" in "Bow Craftsmen's Assistant Commander" indicates an organization of related craftsmen. The original entry did not specify the affiliated government office, production responsibilities, or rank; therefore, it was not changed to a general garrison assistant commander, nor was a workshop head added. Official titles require interpretation; common titles with the same name cannot represent individual organizations.

Later generations also have records of doctors, scribes, military commanders, and clerks, with records showing positions in ceremonies, ministries, and military posts; however, the paternal lineage of each generation is not provided individually. A note states that Kalchi and Sahu of Laibu Village in the Plain Yellow Banner are of the same clan, but cannot be considered as confirmed close relatives, and their banner colors cannot be interchanged. The specific village location of Fola, its correspondence to Laibu Village, the eight-generation lineage, and the terms of office of each individual still require verification through the original inscriptions and archives.