Gangge

Overview

Gangge is a member of the Xingjia clan recorded in Volume 43 of the Qing Dynasty's official compilation, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*. He belonged to the Bordered Red Banner and was of the same clan as Fuhu. His family had lived in Xingjia Village for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. This entry does not record Gangge's participation in the Zhaomodo battle; the relevant military achievements belong to his fourth-generation descendant, Balin. This generational distinction should be preserved during the compilation process. Balin participated in the Yunnan campaign as a Deputy Commander-in-Chief and later served in the campaign against Galdan. He distinguished himself in the Zhaomodo battle and was posthumously awarded the title of Qiduwei, which his son, Hada, inherited during the compilation. Deputy Commander-in-Chief was an actual official position in the Eight Banners military and political system, while Qiduwei was a hereditary title for meritorious officials. The word "posthumously awarded" indicates that the latter was a posthumous honor and cannot be changed to a new position Balin held during his lifetime. Gangge's great-grandson, Yaxing'a, served as a Vanguard Commander, and Dubei served as a Guard Commander; his great-great-grandson, Marqiha, and fourth-generation descendant, Dalin, served as Secretaries; his fifth-generation descendant, Xingshan, served as a Secretary, and Xingqi served as a Principal; his sixth-generation descendant, Xingzhu, was a Student. The Zhongshu (Secretariat) and Zhushi (Officials in Charge) were responsible for administrative documents or specific duties, while Shengyuan (Students) were associated with schools and the imperial examination system, but could not be listed as actual official positions. Therefore, this record includes several pathways to officialdom, including military, administrative, and scholarly pursuits. The exact details of Gangge's personal experience, the present location of Xingjia Village, and the year of his conferment of office for his military achievements in Baling are pending verification.