Episode 29 – Hong Taiji

The imperial portrait of Hong Taiji, modelled after that of his father, Nurhaci.

In this episode we look at the character of Hong Taiji, the second Khan of the Jin Dynasty. We explore some of the ways in which he remodelled his father’s empire, changed his approach to the Chinese within his society and understand the reason why he chose to rename his empire and his people. From 1636 the Jin Dynasty became known as the Qing Dynasty, with the Jurchen people adopting the name Manchu.

Link to Gertraude Roth Li’s bio.
Link to a YouTube video on Hong Taiji for those who wish to study him a bit further.

Episode 28 – The Banner System & Ningyuan City

The Eight Banners: the original White, Red, Yellow and Blue as well as the Border Banners of the same colours.

This episode we look at the Eight Banner system that made the Jurchen people under Nurhaci such a devastating military force. We note how policies began changing due to necessity, as Nurhaci sought to consolidate the lands and people under his control, as well as continue the empire’s expansion. We end with a pivotal moment for the Jin Dynasty, the Battle of Ningyuan.

Link to documentary on Nurhaci

Episode 27 – Nurhaci

Nurhaci (ᠨᡠᡵᡤᠠᠴᡳ) is a name from the now critically endangered Tangusic language of Manchuria which possibly means “skin of the great boar” or “person brave like a wild boar”. History knowns him as Khan of the Great Jin (努爾哈赤), the precursor to the Qing Dynasty of China. Nurhaci’s story and those of the Jin and Qing Dynasties forever change China’s history and with it the lives of Zheng Zhilong, his son Zheng Chenggong and Taiwan.