Hanzha Clan

Overview

The Hanzha clan is a Manchu surname listed in Volume 56 of the officially compiled *Comprehensive Genealogy of Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, and their ancestral home was Bayan and Lo. The main biography, written by Hazina, details her status as a bondservant of the Bordered Blue Banner, but the year of her submission is unknown. Bondservants were a specific social class and organizational category within the Eight Banners, not simply a profession, and it cannot be concluded that her descendants could only perform household chores.

Hazina's son, Han You, served as a ceremonial official, and her grandson, Taibitu, served as a deputy general in Huamachi, dying in battle while leading troops against Wang Fuchen and being posthumously awarded the title of Yunqiwei. Taibitu had no heir, and the title was later inherited by his younger brothers, Bash and Shuosexiang. The title of ceremonial official was a ceremonial official title, the deputy general was a high-ranking military officer in the Green Standard Army, and Yunqiwei was a hereditary title awarded for merit; these three records show that the different members belonged to different institutions and had different responsibilities.

The death and posthumous title of Taibitu cannot be attributed to Hazina himself. Bash and Shuose inherited their hereditary titles, and it cannot be concluded that both of them succeeded as deputy generals of Huamachi. The specific location of Bayan and Luo, the prefecture to which Hazina belonged, the term of office of Taibitu and the date of his death still need to be verified. The original genealogy does not record the modern Chinese surname corresponding to the original surname.