Mandubulu

Overview

Mandubulu was a member of the Ulanara clan of the Plain Blue Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. He was the grandson of Burxi, the second son of Buyan. His family had lived in Ulanara for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Volume 23 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he served as a city garrison commander. His son, Marhan, participated in the battle against Chahar Burni and was awarded the title of Yunqiwei for his merits, which was inherited by his son, Galtai. His great-grandson, Haoshan, served as a defense commander, and his great-great-grandson, Hailasun, served as a director of local administration, while Fuldun served as a scribe. The city garrison commander was a garrison officer of the Eight Banners, responsible for the corresponding city defense and garrison affairs. Defense was also a military position within the Eight Banners. The original genealogy does not specify the city where Mandubulu served. The director of local administration was a specific official position within the local administrative system, and its meaning must be understood in conjunction with its location and the people it governs; Hailasun's duties cannot be simply attributed to him as a general official under the prefecture. The scribe was responsible for the copying, translation, and handling of Manchu and Chinese documents. The accompanying narration also mentions that Mandubulu's great-uncle Fudang'a branch: Hushibu distinguished himself in the battles of Jiangxi and Yunnan and was awarded the title of Yunqiwei. This branch and Marhan's rewards had different sources, and it is important to distinguish between the great-uncle's collateral branches and Mandubulu's direct line; they should not be combined into one official career for Mandubulu.