Balda

Overview

Balda appears in Volume 58 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* under the entry for the "Orcholo Clan." He was a member of the Plain Yellow Banner, and his family had lived in the Suwan region for generations. He is listed among those who surrendered at the beginning of the dynasty. The original text records his banner affiliation and ancestral home, but does not specify Balda's official position.

His great-grandson, Kecher, served as a defense officer; Tuoerhai served as an infantry officer; and Langtu served as a captain. His great-great-grandsons, Mahu and Martu, both served as defense officers, and Changbao served as a scribe. His fourth-generation descendant, Zhaozhu, served as a defense officer, and Helin served as a scribe. His fifth-generation descendant, Yichanga, served as a defense officer when the genealogy was being compiled. The continuous appearance of the title "defense officer" across multiple generations indicates the military nature of this branch, but the genealogy does not explicitly state that these positions were inherited from the same vacancy.

The "Plain Yellow Banner" was Balda's personal banner affiliation; the entire family should not be referred to as a "garrison officer clan" simply because relatives held local defense officer positions. Suwan is a place name used in historical genealogies, and it still needs to be verified by historical maps. It cannot be used as an administrative division with the same name today without explanation.