Bayara

Overview

Bayara was a member of the Manchu Gejile clan, belonging to the Plain White Banner. His family had lived in Yalan for generations and submitted to the Qing dynasty at its beginning. Volume 45 of the official Qing dynasty genealogy, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records the origins of two hereditary titles under his name: Youdehei and Shuqiu. Youdehei initially led troops into Xilin as a non-official, earning the title of Qiduwei. Later, due to his merits in the Liaodong campaign, he was granted a hereditary title and appointed zuoling (a military rank).

After Youdehei's death, his brother Heerduo inherited the title, but was later dismissed. The title of Qiduwei was then inherited by Youdehei's son, Lifune. This branch underwent changes in title conferment and succession, until Lingbao inherited the title, at which point the conferment was deducted. Shuqiu, on the other hand, earned the title of Qiduwei for his merits in the Heilongjiang campaign. This title was later inherited by Ibahan, who participated in campaigns in Yunnan, Burma, Jiangxi, and Huguang, serving as a vanguard commander.

Qiduwei and Qingche duwei were hereditary titles for meritorious officials, while zuoling and Vanguard Commander were actual military and political positions. The two succession lines each have their own records of military achievements, imperial favors, and dismissals, and cannot be combined into a single official rank list for Bayara. In particular, Ibahan's entry into Burma is a matter of his descendants' experience, and it cannot be inferred that his ancestors also participated. The specific locations of Yalan and Shilin, and Bayara's own official appointments, await verification.