Darhan's bodyguard, Hurhan

Overview

Hu'erhan, a member of the Tongjia clan of the Plain White Banner, was a figure from the early Qing dynasty, residing in Yarhu. Volume 19 of the official Qing dynasty genealogy, *The General Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he surrendered to Nurhaci at the beginning of the dynasty, following his father, Hulahu. He was treated favorably by Nurhaci, adopted, and given the surname Gioro, becoming one of the Five Ministers. Later, he received the title of Darhan Guard.

The Five Ministers were an important political and administrative group around the highest ruler of the early Qing dynasty, not directly equivalent to the later Six Ministers. The title of Guard refers to close attendant duties. Darhan was a bestowed title and should be distinguished from Hu'erhan's given name. The original genealogy records his participation in the relocation of residents of Feiyue City, the conquest of the Ula and various tribes of the East Sea, and his combat during the Ming army's four-pronged attack. His hereditary rank rose to the third class of Viscount. The Viscount was a title of merit, distinct from the guard rank. His descendants inherited the hereditary title, and there were later tomb-sweeping ceremonies, reflecting the Qing court's commemoration of founding heroes. The bestowal of the surname Gioro is a specific event clearly defined in this article, and it cannot be inferred from this that all people with surnames containing Gioro have had the same adoption experience. The biographies of brothers and descendants should be distinguished separately.