Dartai

Overview

Dartai was a member of the Tongjia clan, Plain White Banner, and the sixth younger brother of Huerhan, a bodyguard of Darhan. Volume 19 of the official *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* records that he initially managed a Zuo Ling (military unit), and due to his competence, he was promoted to Cavalry Captain. He was further promoted three times by imperial decree to Second-Class Light Cavalry Captain, and later served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

A Zuo Ling managed the household registration and military records of the lower-level banner people. Cavalry Captain and Light Cavalry Captain were hereditary titles based on merit. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites was the deputy head of the central ceremonial administration. These three pieces of information respectively reflect lower-level management, conferment of titles, and civil service appointments, and cannot be simply translated as a general military officer title. His son, Jituka, inherited the position and served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Zuo Ling. Having no heir, the position was passed to his brother's grandson, Turbing'e. Turbing'e distinguished himself in military service at places like Shimenkan and Huangcaoba in Yunnan, contributing to the military experience of his descendants. Later, when Xiteng'e inherited the position, the imperial decree's promotion was revoked, resulting in a change in the inherited rank. The original genealogy also lists the descendants of treasurers, guards, scribes, and storehouse clerks, indicating that the branch's official positions were not limited to the Ministry of Rites. The records of these branches' official appointments and successions should be preserved separately from Dartai's own experiences.