Zhalin

Overview

Zhalin was a member of the Saimile clan of the Plain White Banner. Volume 36 of the official Qing dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that the family had lived in the Heilongjiang region for generations, but the date of their submission is unknown. Zhalin originally held the position of Canling. Canling was a banner-level official below Dutong and Fudutong, different from Zuoling, who managed the lower-level ranks. Since the date of submission is unknown, it cannot be attributed to the Tiancong or Shunzhi reigns.

His son, Berbuhor, and great-grandson, Satu, both served as the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department. The Imperial Household Department managed imperial affairs, and the Grand Steward was at the leadership level. The fact that later generations held positions in the Imperial Household Department does not prove that Zhalin himself held this position, nor can it be used to confirm his status as a bondservant. Ancestors' banner affiliation, personal positions, and descendants' positions must be described separately.

His fourth-generation descendant, Yunde, served as Treasurer; Dorchin as a Cavalry Commander; and Duolunchuo as a Zuoling. His fifth-generation descendants included Zuoling, Second-Class Imperial Guards, and Third-Class Imperial Guards; and his sixth-generation descendant, Gebaktu, served as a Deputy Cavalry Commander. The treasurer was in charge of the treasury, the cavalry captains were part of the banner troops, and the guards participated in the imperial guard system. "Former" and "current" reflect the status recorded at the time of the book's compilation, not their current position. Ancestral home, term of office of the commander, and the resumes of descendants of the Imperial Household Department are pending verification.