Dorgon

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Dorgon (Manchu: ; simplified Chinese: 多尔衮; traditional Chinese: 多爾袞; pinyin: Duō'ěrgǔn) (17 November 1612–31 December, 1650), also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui (和碩睿親王), 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 [now Xinbin, Liaoning province], China. He is the fourteenth son of the Manchu leader Nurhaci. His mother was the Lady Abahai; Dodo and Ajige were his full brothers, and the Emperor Huang Taiji was his half-brother. Dorgon became one of the most powerful of the princes, and was instrumental in moving Manchu forces into Beijing in 1644. During Huang Taiji's reign he took part in many military campaigns, including conquests of the Mongols and of Korea.

Struggle to Power

After Huang Taiji's death, Dorgon was involved in a power struggle with Hooge, eldest son of Huang Taiji, for the throne. In the end, they compromised, and Dorgon supported the dead emperor's ninth son, his nephew Fulin (Emperor Shunzhi), to ascend the throne. He was made regent because Shunzhi was only six at the time of his ascension, and thus became the de facto ruler of the country. He was rumored to have married Xiaozhuangwen Grand Empress Dowager, although this claim has been repeatedly disputed, and has become one of the four great mysteries of the Qing Dynasty. He was later given the title the Uncle of the Emperor, Prince Regent (皇叔父攝政王), which then becomes "Father of the Emperor, Prince Regent" (皇父攝政王).

Death

After he suddenly died on a hunting trip on 31 December 1650 at the age of 38 in Kharahotun [now Chengde, Hebei province] , Dorgon received the posthumous rank of Emperor, the only time this happened in the Qing Dynasty. He was given the title "Maode Xiuyuan Guangyie Dinggong Anmin Lizheng Cheng Jingyi Huangdi" (懋德修遠廣業定功安民立政誠敬義皇帝). His temple name was Chéngzōng (成宗). Even the Emperor Shunzhi bowed three times before Dorgon's coffin.

Banned & Restores Title

However, in 1651, forces once opposed to Dorgon, led by former co-regent Jirgalang (Prince Zheng) produced a long list of his crimes, which included: Secretly preparing forbidden material such as yellow robes (strictly used by the Emperor); Plotting to take the throne from Shunzhi; Calling himself the Father of the Emperor; Killing Hooge and taking his concubines for himself, etc. It is believed that Dorgon had been engaged in a fierce power struggle with the young Emperor Shunzhi as the Emperor reached maturity. So as the opposition forces gained power, the Emperor Shunzi posthumously stripped Dorgon of all his titles and even flogged his corpse. He was rehabilitated during the reigns of Kangxi Emperor and Qianlong Emperor and acknowledged as a loyal Prince of the Qing Dynasty.

Dorgon had no male offspring.