Dutali

Overview

Dutali was a member of the Manchu Niohele clan, belonging to the Bordered Yellow Banner. His family had lived in Shaji for generations and submitted to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Volume 46 of the official *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* records that he participated in the battles in Henan and Jiangnan as a non-official, and was the first to scale the city walls during the siege of Yangzhou, for which he was awarded the title of Yunqiwei (LongWei). He was later promoted to Third-Class Qingche duwei by three imperial edicts. His clan name, as recorded in this volume under the "Niohele Clan," did not automatically change to the more common surname Niohuru.

Dutali's son, Dunbai, inherited the title and participated in the battles against Mao Guangzu, Ruan Si, and Zhang Xing in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, for which he was promoted to Second-Class Qingche duwei. Later, this title was inherited by Dunbai's son, Dushi, and Dushi's son, Fuhai. When Fuhai inherited the title, the portion awarded by imperial edicts was deducted, leaving him as a Qiduwei. This title was then inherited by Mingru, who had no heir, and was succeeded by his uncle, Huashan.

Yunqiwei, Qiduwei, and Qingche duwei were all hereditary titles based on merit. Changes in rank could stem from individual military achievements, imperial edicts from previous generations, or deductions from previous appointments during inheritance; they cannot be universally interpreted as promotions or demotions. Mingru Zhihuashan's position was inherited through collateral branches, not from father to son. The precise location of Shaji, the dates of the Yangzhou battle, and the succession procedures for each generation are yet to be verified. The military achievements of Dutali and Dunbai are described separately.