Muketan Baturu

Overview

Muketan Baturu was a member of the Daijia clan of the Bordered Blue Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. Volume 29 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his family originally lived in Hangjia. At the beginning of the dynasty, he followed his father and led his people to surrender. Later, he pursued rebels; his father and four elder brothers died in battle, but he continued the pursuit. There are also records of him being wounded and fighting while stationed in Yaozhou. The original genealogy states that he was awarded the rank of Third-Class Baron for his merits, entering the ranks of the Sixteen Ministers.

Later, during battles in the Dalinghe and Jinzhou areas, he led his banner's troops to the city moat, dismounting his cavalry and fighting on foot, leading the charge and dying in battle. Emperor Taizong posthumously awarded him the rank of First-Class Baron, and Emperor Shizu bestowed upon him the posthumous title "Loyal and Brave," erecting a monument beside his tomb. The title of Baron was conferred upon meritorious officials, while the posthumous title was a posthumous honor; the two are different from military command positions. The Baturu section preserves his full name as originally recorded, without further etymological speculation.

His eldest son, Aiyintamu, inherited the title and continued to distinguish himself, while his third son, Nasang'a, received the title of Yunqiwei, forming hereditary titles in different branches of the family. The original genealogy also listed the civil and military official positions of Wencha, Weng'ai, and Zhalai, none of which could be attributed to Muketan Baturu. The location, date of death, sixteen ministers system, and succession chains of each branch of Hangjia are yet to be verified. This article is compiled based on verifiable military records and posthumous titles.