Ata

Overview

Ata is a member of the Xitala clan recorded in Volume 43 of the Qing Dynasty official compilation, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*. He was of the same clan as Angguo Duli Bayan, belonging to the Plain White Banner's bondservant (baoyi). His family had lived in the Changbai Mountain region for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. "Of the same clan" indicates a connection in surname and lineage, but does not necessarily prove they were brothers; Changbai Mountain is a broad historical geographical name.

booi (banner bondservant) (baoyi) were a group within the Eight Banners with specific hierarchical relationships, possessing their own organizational structure and service system. Among Ata's descendants were those who managed bondservant personnel, including inner stewards and deputy inner stewards, as well as those who held positions in ministries and departments. His son, Zhage, and grandson, Tamin, both served as zuoling (military commanders); his great-grandson, Sangge, concurrently held the positions of Langzhong (official), Canling (military commander), and zuoling; and Aixing'a concurrently held the positions of Yuanwailang (official) and Inner Steward. Here, "concurrently" indicates that one person held multiple positions simultaneously; these titles cannot be split among several individuals.

This entry records that Ata's great-great-grandson, Laibao, served as Minister of Justice and concurrently as Director-General of the Imperial Household Department at the time of compilation. The Ministry of Justice was responsible for criminal and judicial matters, while the Imperial Household Department managed palace affairs; these two responsibilities belonged to the national administrative and palace management systems, respectively. It also records that the fourth-generation descendant, Cheng Lun, was a hereditary student, and Bash was appointed as an acting principal. "Hereditary student" refers to someone who entered school through hereditary privilege or obtained qualifications, while "acting principal" indicates being appointed to a temporary post, a term different from formal appointment. Ata's specific position, year of submission, and ancestral village location in Changbai Mountain remain to be verified.