Tang Ali

Overview

Tang Ali was a member of the Saharcha clan of the Bordered Yellow Banner. Volume 41 of the official Qing dynasty compilation, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his family had lived in Yilanfeiertaha village for generations. At the beginning of the dynasty, he led a hundred men to surrender, was awarded the rank of Qiduwei, and was assigned to a zuoling (military command). For his merit in conquering Liaodong, he was promoted to Third-Class Qingche duwei. The Saharcha clan was an independent surname for this section and could not be followed by the Ningguta clan of the previous section; nor could a hundred men be changed to a hundred households.

His son, Kakamu, inherited the title but was initially demoted. Upon entering the pass, he was appointed acting Deputy Commander-in-Chief, managing the rear guard, and received additional honors. Later, he served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, received awards for his performance, and his hereditary title was changed through imperial edicts and disciplinary actions, eventually becoming General of Jiangning and concurrently zuoling. "Acting" indicates a formal appointment, "Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel" is a central government civil service position, and "General of Jiangning" is a high-ranking military garrison position; these cannot all be interpreted as the same hereditary title.

When the hereditary title passed from Layanga and Debao to Tolundai, the portion awarded by imperial edicts was deducted, but the Third-Class Qingche duwei was retained. Grandchildren and later descendants held positions such as Vanguard Commander, zuoling, and Bi Tie Shi, which were actual appointments and not part of Tang Ali's personal experience. The modern location of Ilan Fertah village, the dates of Kakamu Commission and performance evaluations, various punishments, and succession details await verification from the original printed text and archives.