Dodo (prince)
Encyclopedia
Dodo was a Manchu prince and military general of the early Qing Dynasty
. His title was "Prince Yu of the First Rank" (和碩豫親王).
clan, the imperial clan of the Qing Dynasty
. He was the 15th son of Nurhaci
, khan
of the Later Jin Dynasty (precursor of the Qing Dynasty). His mother was Nurhaci's primary spouse Lady Abahai
, who also bore Dodo's full brothers Ajige
and Dorgon
.
(多羅貝勒) at the age of 13 and was put in charge of the Plain White Banner
, and started administrating affairs in the Rites and War ministries
. In 1628, Dodo followed Hong Taiji
on the conquest of Chahar
, Mongolia
, and was granted the title of eerkechuhuer (額爾克楚虎爾) for his achievements. The following year, he followed Hong Taiji again on the conquest of the Ming Dynasty
, crossing the Great Wall
and closing in on the Ming capital of Beijing
.
In 1631 Dodo was involved in besieging the Ming army at Daling River. He lost his footing and fell from his horse during a battle and almost died at Jinzhou
. The following year he participated in a campaign against Ligdan Khan
of Chahar, and in 1635 he was appointed commander-in-chief for the first time at the Battle of Daling River.
In 1636 Dodo was promoted to the status of "Prince Yu of the First Rank" (和碩豫親王). He followed Hong Taiji on the campaign against the Joseon Dynasty
and defeated the enemy at Mount Nanhan. Two years later, he was demoted two grades to doroi beile for bringing prostitutes with him in his army. In 1641, Dodo participated in the Battle of Songjin
and led the Qing army in besieging Jinzhou
in the first part of the battle. He led an ambush to wipe out the remnants of the enemy at Mount Song in the final battle and joined Hooge
's forces in besieging Mount Song and captured the Ming general Hong Chengchou
. He was promoted one grade to "Prince of the Second Rank" (多羅郡王) for his achievement.
after the Ming general Wu Sangui
opened Shanhai Pass
for the Qing armies. They defeated rebel forces under Li Zicheng at Shanhai Pass and occupied the Ming capital of Beijing
, after which Dodo was reinstated as a "Prince of the First Rank" (和碩親王) and appointed "Great General Who Pacifies the Nation" (定國大將軍). Together with Kong Youde (孔有德) and Geng Zhongming (耿仲明), Dodo led an army of 200,000, comprising both Manchu and Han Chinese
soldiers, to attack the remnants of Li Zicheng's rebel army, defeating and driving the enemy from Henan
to Shaanxi
.
In the first month of 1645 Dodo conquered Tong Pass and Xi'an
, and in the second month he attacked the Southern Ming Dynasty
(remnants of the fallen Ming Dynasty). In the fourth month, Dodo captured the city of Yangzhou
and executed its defending official Shi Kefa
, after which he ordered a massacre
to be conducted. By the following month Dodo's army had crossed the Yangtze River
and occupied Southern Ming's capital of Nanjing
and captured its ruler, the Hongguang Emperor
. In the sixth month Dodo conquered Zhejiang
and returned to Beijing, after which he received the title of "Prince Deyu of the First Rank" (和碩德豫親王).
In 1646 Dodo was appointed "Great General Who Spreads Might" (揚威大將軍) and emerged victorious from suppressing a rebellion by the Sonid Mongols. A year later he conferred the title of "Uncle Who Assists in Governance and Prince Deyu of the First Rank" (輔政叔 和碩德豫親王).
. Dorgon was attacking Jiang Xiang (姜瓖) in Shanxi
when he heard that Dodo was severely ill, so he immediately turned and rushed back to Beijing
, but when he arrived at Juyong Pass
, he received news that Dodo had died. Dorgon was so grieved that he changed into plain robes and cried as he raced back to Beijing.
posthumously demoted Dodo to the status of a "Prince of the Second Rank" for his affiliation with Dorgon
, whom the emperor perceived to have had the intention of usurping the throne. In 1671 during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor
, Dodo was granted a posthumous name "Tong" (通), so his title became "Prince Yutong of the Second Rank" (多羅豫通郡王). In the first lunar month of 1778, the Qianlong Emperor
posthumously restored Dodo to the status of a "Prince of the First Rank" and created a place for Dodo in the Qing ancestral temple. Seven months later, a shrine was built for Dodo in the Mukden Palace
.
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. His title was "Prince Yu of the First Rank" (和碩豫親王).
Family background
Dodo was born of the Manchu Aisin GioroAisin Gioro
Aisin Gioro was the family name of the Manchu emperors of the Qing Dynasty. The House of Aisin Gioro ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which established a republican government in its place. The word aisin means gold in the Manchu language, and "gioro" is the name of the place in...
clan, the imperial clan of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. He was the 15th son of Nurhaci
Nurhaci
Nurhaci was an important Jurchen chieftain who rose to prominence in the late sixteenth century in what is today Northeastern China...
, khan
Khan (title)
Khan is an originally Altaic and subsequently Central Asian title for a sovereign or military ruler, widely used by medieval nomadic Turko-Mongol tribes living to the north of China. 'Khan' is also seen as a title in the Xianbei confederation for their chief between 283 and 289...
of the Later Jin Dynasty (precursor of the Qing Dynasty). His mother was Nurhaci's primary spouse Lady Abahai
Lady Abahai
Lady Abahai was the primary consort of Nurhaci, founder of the Qing Dynasty. She bore Nurhaci three sons - Ajige, Dorgon, and Dodo. She was erroneously identified with Nurhaci's son and successor, Hong Taiji, in earlier sources....
, who also bore Dodo's full brothers Ajige
Ajige
Ajige was a prince and general of the Qing Dynasty. He was born of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan as the 12th son of Nurhaci, khan of the Later Jin Dynasty ....
and Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
.
Hong Taiji's reign
In 1620 Dodo was conferred the title of "Lord of the First Rank" (和碩額真). He became a doroi beileQing Dynasty nobility
The Qing Dynasty of China developed a complicated peerage system for ranking nobility. All titles were to be inherited by a noble's eldest son, but always one grade lower. There were instances, however, where an emperor approved of a title being hereditary . This was regarded as an honour by the...
(多羅貝勒) at the age of 13 and was put in charge of the Plain White Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
, and started administrating affairs in the Rites and War ministries
Three Departments and Six Ministries
The Three Departments and Six Ministries system was the main central administrative system adopted in ancient China. The system first took shape after the Western Han Dynasty , was officially instituted in Sui Dynasty , and matured during Tang Dynasty...
. In 1628, Dodo followed Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji
Hong Taiji , also transliterated as Huang Taiji based on the Chinese language transcription of his name, was the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.Hong Taiji was the first Emperor of the Qing dynasty after acceding to the title in 1636...
on the conquest of Chahar
Chahar (province)
Chahar , also known as Chaha'er, Chakhar, or Qahar, was a province of China in existence from 1912 to 1936, mostly covering territory in what is part of eastern Inner Mongolia. It was named after the Chahar Mongolians....
, Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, and was granted the title of eerkechuhuer (額爾克楚虎爾) for his achievements. The following year, he followed Hong Taiji again on the conquest of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, crossing the Great Wall
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...
and closing in on the Ming capital of Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.
In 1631 Dodo was involved in besieging the Ming army at Daling River. He lost his footing and fell from his horse during a battle and almost died at Jinzhou
Jinzhou
Jinzhou , is a prefecture-level city of Liaoning province, China. It is a geographically strategic city located in the "Liaoxi Corridor" , which connects land transportation between North China and Northeast China. Jinzhou is China's northernmost seaport and the coastal economic center of West...
. The following year he participated in a campaign against Ligdan Khan
Ligdan Khan
Ligdan Khutugtu Khan was the last in the Borjigin clan of Mongol Khans who ruled the Mongols from Chakhar. His unpopular reign generated violent opposition due to his harsh restrictions over the Mongols...
of Chahar, and in 1635 he was appointed commander-in-chief for the first time at the Battle of Daling River.
In 1636 Dodo was promoted to the status of "Prince Yu of the First Rank" (和碩豫親王). He followed Hong Taiji on the campaign against the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
and defeated the enemy at Mount Nanhan. Two years later, he was demoted two grades to doroi beile for bringing prostitutes with him in his army. In 1641, Dodo participated in the Battle of Songjin
Battle of Songjin
The Battle of Songjin in 1640 was fought at Songshan and Jinzhou , hence the name "Song-Jin". It spelled the end of the Ming Dynasty. Hong Chengchou's 130,000 elite troops, which was sent to break the siege of Jinzhou, were crushed by the Eight banner armies of the Qing Dynasty at Songshan...
and led the Qing army in besieging Jinzhou
Jinzhou
Jinzhou , is a prefecture-level city of Liaoning province, China. It is a geographically strategic city located in the "Liaoxi Corridor" , which connects land transportation between North China and Northeast China. Jinzhou is China's northernmost seaport and the coastal economic center of West...
in the first part of the battle. He led an ambush to wipe out the remnants of the enemy at Mount Song in the final battle and joined Hooge
Hooge, Prince Su
Hooge was a prominent Manchu prince. He was the eldest son of Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty. He was the founder of the House of Prince Su .-Life:...
's forces in besieging Mount Song and captured the Ming general Hong Chengchou
Hong Chengchou
Hong Chengchou or Hung Cheng-chou was a Military commander from Fujian at the end of the Ming Dynasty.-Biography:...
. He was promoted one grade to "Prince of the Second Rank" (多羅郡王) for his achievement.
Shunzhi Emperor's reign
In 1644 Dodo entered China properChina proper
China proper or Eighteen Provinces was a term used by Western writers on the Qing Dynasty to express a distinction between the core and frontier regions of China. There is no fixed extent for China proper, as many administrative, cultural, and linguistic shifts have occurred in Chinese history...
after the Ming general Wu Sangui
Wu Sangui
Wu Sangui was a Ming Chinese general who was instrumental in the succession of rule to the Qing Dynasty in 1644...
opened Shanhai Pass
Shanhai Pass
Shanhai Pass , or Shanhaiguan, along with Jiayu Pass and Juyong Pass, is one of the major passes of the Great Wall of China It is located in Shanhaiguan District, Qinhuangdao, Hebei. In 1961, Shanhaiguan became a site of China First Class National Cultural Site.It is a popular tourist destination,...
for the Qing armies. They defeated rebel forces under Li Zicheng at Shanhai Pass and occupied the Ming capital of Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, after which Dodo was reinstated as a "Prince of the First Rank" (和碩親王) and appointed "Great General Who Pacifies the Nation" (定國大將軍). Together with Kong Youde (孔有德) and Geng Zhongming (耿仲明), Dodo led an army of 200,000, comprising both Manchu and Han Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
soldiers, to attack the remnants of Li Zicheng's rebel army, defeating and driving the enemy from Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
to Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
.
In the first month of 1645 Dodo conquered Tong Pass and Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, and in the second month he attacked the Southern Ming Dynasty
Southern Ming Dynasty
The Southern Ming Dynasty was the Ming loyalist regime that continued in Southern China from 1644 to 1662 following the capture of Beijing by rebel armies and the death of the last Ming emperor in 1644....
(remnants of the fallen Ming Dynasty). In the fourth month, Dodo captured the city of Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
and executed its defending official Shi Kefa
Shi Kefa
Shi Kefa , style names Xianzhi and Daolin , was a government official and calligrapher of the late Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. Shi Kefa was born in Xiangfu and claimed ancestry from Daxing County, Shuntianfu . He was mentored by Zuo Guangdou...
, after which he ordered a massacre
Yangzhou massacre
The Yangzhou massacre took place in 1645 in Yangzhou, China, during the Qing Dynasty. Mass killings of residents in Yangzhou were conducted by Qing troops under the command of Prince Dodo after they conquered the city from forces loyal to the Southern Ming regime of the Hongguang Emperor.The...
to be conducted. By the following month Dodo's army had crossed the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
and occupied Southern Ming's capital of Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
and captured its ruler, the Hongguang Emperor
Zhu Yousong, Prince of Fu
The Hongguang Emperor , was the first emperor of the Southern Ming Dynasty. He reigned briefly in Southern China from 1644-1645. His era name, Hongguang, means "Great light".-Biography:...
. In the sixth month Dodo conquered Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
and returned to Beijing, after which he received the title of "Prince Deyu of the First Rank" (和碩德豫親王).
In 1646 Dodo was appointed "Great General Who Spreads Might" (揚威大將軍) and emerged victorious from suppressing a rebellion by the Sonid Mongols. A year later he conferred the title of "Uncle Who Assists in Governance and Prince Deyu of the First Rank" (輔政叔 和碩德豫親王).
Death
Dodo died of smallpox in 1649 at the age of 36. Dodo was said to have a very close relationship with his brother DorgonDorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
. Dorgon was attacking Jiang Xiang (姜瓖) in Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
when he heard that Dodo was severely ill, so he immediately turned and rushed back to Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, but when he arrived at Juyong Pass
Juyongguan
Juyongguan or Juyong Pass is located in an -long valley named "Guangou" which is inside Changping County more than from Beijing City. It is one of the three greatest passes of the Great Wall of China. The other two passes are Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan....
, he received news that Dodo had died. Dorgon was so grieved that he changed into plain robes and cried as he raced back to Beijing.
Posthumous demotion and restoration
In 1652 the Shunzhi EmperorShunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
posthumously demoted Dodo to the status of a "Prince of the Second Rank" for his affiliation with Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
, whom the emperor perceived to have had the intention of usurping the throne. In 1671 during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor ; Manchu: elhe taifin hūwangdi ; Mongolian: Энх-Амгалан хаан, 4 May 1654 –20 December 1722) was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.Kangxi's...
, Dodo was granted a posthumous name "Tong" (通), so his title became "Prince Yutong of the Second Rank" (多羅豫通郡王). In the first lunar month of 1778, the Qianlong Emperor
Qianlong Emperor
The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
posthumously restored Dodo to the status of a "Prince of the First Rank" and created a place for Dodo in the Qing ancestral temple. Seven months later, a shrine was built for Dodo in the Mukden Palace
Mukden Palace
The Mukden Palace or Shenyang Gugong , also known as the Shenyang Imperial Palace, is the former imperial palace of the early Qing Dynasty of China....
.
Parents and siblings
- Father: NurhaciNurhaciNurhaci was an important Jurchen chieftain who rose to prominence in the late sixteenth century in what is today Northeastern China...
- Mother: Lady AbahaiLady AbahaiLady Abahai was the primary consort of Nurhaci, founder of the Qing Dynasty. She bore Nurhaci three sons - Ajige, Dorgon, and Dodo. She was erroneously identified with Nurhaci's son and successor, Hong Taiji, in earlier sources....
, from the UlanaraNara (clan)Nara is a major Manchu clan. The Hūlun Four States -- Hada , Ula , Hoifa and Yehe -- were ruled by this clan...
clan.
- Full siblings:
- AjigeAjigeAjige was a prince and general of the Qing Dynasty. He was born of the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan as the 12th son of Nurhaci, khan of the Later Jin Dynasty ....
- DorgonDorgonDorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
- Ajige
Spouses
- Primary spouses:
- Lady BorjigitBorjiginBorjigin , also known as the Altan urug , were the imperial clan of Genghis Khan and his successors....
(博爾濟吉特氏), daughter of Ming'antaiji (明安台吉). - Lady Borjigit, personal name Dazhe (達哲). Her mother was the primary consort of Manggusi (莽古斯), Prince of the Khorchin Mongols. However the identity of her father is disputed because her mother remarried after Manggusi died. She bore Duoni and Duo'erbo.
- Lady NaraNara (clan)Nara is a major Manchu clan. The Hūlun Four States -- Hada , Ula , Hoifa and Yehe -- were ruled by this clan...
(那拉氏), daughter of Yanda'erhan (衍達爾漢).
- Lady Borjigit
- Secondary spouses:
- Lady TunggiyaTunggiyaTunggiya is the name of a Manchu clan.-Notable members:* Kangxi Emperor's birth mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang.* Kangxi Emperor's second wife, Empress Xiaoyiren.* Daoguang Emperor's second wife, Empress Xiaoshencheng....
(佟佳氏), daughter of Yakeqin (雅克秦), a qingche duweiQing Dynasty nobilityThe Qing Dynasty of China developed a complicated peerage system for ranking nobility. All titles were to be inherited by a noble's eldest son, but always one grade lower. There were instances, however, where an emperor approved of a title being hereditary . This was regarded as an honour by the...
. She bore Chani and Dong'e. - Lady Irgen-Gioro (伊爾根覺羅氏), daughter of Adahai (阿達海), an imperial guard commander.
- Secondary spouse, name unknown. She requested to be buried together with her husband his death.
- Lady Tunggiya
- Tertiary spouses:
- Lady TunggiyaTunggiyaTunggiya is the name of a Manchu clan.-Notable members:* Kangxi Emperor's birth mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang.* Kangxi Emperor's second wife, Empress Xiaoyiren.* Daoguang Emperor's second wife, Empress Xiaoshencheng....
(佟佳氏), daughter of Sudasai (素達塞), a military commander. She bore Feiyanggu. - Lady NaraNara (clan)Nara is a major Manchu clan. The Hūlun Four States -- Hada , Ula , Hoifa and Yehe -- were ruled by this clan...
(那拉氏), daughter of Feiyanggu.. She bore Zhulan. - Lady GuwalgiyaGuwalgiyaGuwalgiya was one of the most powerful Manchu clans. Kangxi's administrator Oboi came from this clan....
(瓜爾佳氏), daughter of Ganchuhan (甘楚漢). She bore Bakedu. - Lady Guwalgiya (瓜爾佳氏), daughter of Taketai (塔克泰). She bore Zhakedu.
- Lady Tunggiya
- Concubines:
- Lady NaraNara (clan)Nara is a major Manchu clan. The Hūlun Four States -- Hada , Ula , Hoifa and Yehe -- were ruled by this clan...
(那拉氏), daughter of Faha (法哈). - Lady Liang (良氏), daughter of Liang Guozhu (良國柱).
- Lady Nara
Children
- Zhulan (珠蘭; 1635 - 1665), Dodo's eldest son.
- Duoni (多尼; 1636 - 1661), Dodo's second son.
- Bakedu (巴克度; 1640 - 1668), Dodo's third son.
- Chani (察尼; 1641 - 1681), Dodo's fourth son.
- Duo'erbo (多爾博; 1643 - 1672), Dodo's fifth son.
- Zhakedu (扎克度; 1644 - 1689), Dodo's sixth son.
- Dong'e (董額; 1647 - 1706), Dodo's seventh son.
- Feiyanggu (費揚古; 1649 - 1723), Dodo's eighth son.