Qilartu

Overview

Qilartu, also known as Qilartu, appears in Volume 56 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* under the entry for the Kaiyan Clan. He belonged to the Bordered Yellow Banner and was a native of Kaiyan, having submitted to the Qing dynasty at its beginning. He himself was appointed acting military officer during the campaign in Guizhou. On his return, he fought against Zheng Chenggong's army in Jiangning and was awarded the title of Yunqiwei (a military rank). Later, he campaigned in Maolu Mountain in Huguang, and then in Chahar Burni, where he distinguished himself at Dalu and was promoted to Qiduwei (a hereditary merit rank) and concurrently Yunqiwei.

His hereditary title was inherited by his second son, Daichan. Daichan was dismissed due to some incident, and it was then inherited by his son, Zhaobao. Zhaobao died without an heir, and it was then inherited by his uncle's son, Dayang'a. His eldest son, Dabali, also served as a military officer. The appointment, dismissal, and succession by collateral branches were all attributed to different members and cannot be considered as the eldest son's line of succession from beginning to end.

The term "appointed" indicates the nature of the position; "military officer" was the actual military rank, while "Qiduwei" and concurrently Yunqiwei were combined hereditary titles based on merit. Kaiyan is a Manchu surname derived from a place name, and its etymology cannot be guessed from the literal meaning. Jiangning, Maolushan, and Daluo were battlefields, while Kaiyan was the ancestral home. This entry contains detailed information about the war, but the exact dates, corresponding place names, and details about Dayang'a still require verification using the original printed edition and military records.