Botobo

Overview

Botobo was a member of the Sordor clan, belonging to the Bordered White Banner's bondservant class. His family had lived in Ulaborji City for generations and submitted to the Qing dynasty at its beginning. Volume 50 of the official Qing dynasty genealogy, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that after his submission, a Zuo-ling (military command) was established, which he commanded. The bondservant status indicated a specific subordinate status, while the Zuo-ling was the basic organizational unit of the Eight Banners and its managing official title; therefore, the bondservant status and the position of managing subordinates could coexist.

Botobo's son, Dobe, served as a Zuo-ling and participated in battles in Shandong and at Shanhaiguan and Qingdu after the Qing army entered the pass. He was awarded the rank of Qiduwei and was promoted to Second-Class Qingche duwei three times by imperial decree. After Dobe's death, his eldest son, Heshuose, inherited the Third-Class Qingche duwei title, and his third son, Guangkai, inherited the Yunqiwei title and served as a First-Class Guard. Heshuose's branch passed to Zhapuzhan through Alai; when Zhapuzhan inherited the title, the imperial decree's additional grant was removed, and he inherited the Yunqiwei title and served as a Second-Class Guard. Guangkai's branch was succeeded by Guanyinbao. This system of succession involved two branches inheriting corresponding ranks, preventing the linking of all individuals into a single father-son line. The guards were responsible for the affairs of the prince's household and were a substantive position, not synonymous with the inherited Yunqiwei rank. The location of Borji City, the dates of succession for each branch, and the specific households under their jurisdiction still require verification.