Ketle

Overview

Ketle was a member of the Tuseli clan. The official genealogy of the Manchu clans of the Eight Banners, Volume 50, records him as a member of the Plain Yellow Banner, residing in Saharcha, and submitting to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Tuseli is the clan name, Plain Yellow Banner refers to their organizational affiliation, and Saharcha is their ancestral home; these three respectively indicate their family, banner affiliation, and geographical background.

Ketle's own military rank is not recorded; the main account focuses on his son, Chetune. Chetune served as a military officer, participated in the campaign in Sichuan, and repeatedly distinguished himself. He later died in battle at Yehuling and was posthumously awarded the title of Qiduwei and concurrently a Yunqiwei. Because Chetune had no heir, his hereditary title was inherited by his elder brother's son, Arda; after Arda's death, it passed to his son, Suosoli, and then to Suosoli's nephew, Hetune. The genealogy uses these kinship terms to clarify the succession and the direction of the transfer; Arda should not be written as Chetune's son.

The Military Academy officer was a junior military officer within the Military Guard system, responsible for commanding his subordinate guards, providing personal protection, and accompanying them on campaigns. The title of Qiduwei concurrently holding the title of Yunqiwei was a hereditary post awarded for merit, indicating a combination of ranks, not two separate local administrative positions. The locations of Saharcha, the battlefield of Yehuling, and the birth, death, and appointment dates of each individual still require further investigation.