Abatai

Abatai (Manchu: ; 27 July 1589 – 10 May 1646) was a Manchu prince and military general of the early Qing dynasty. Although an inconsistent and dissolute malcontent, he nevertheless showed considerable ability as a military leader and administrator.

Abatai was born in the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, the imperial clan of the Qing dynasty. He was the seventh son of Nurhaci, the khan of the Later Jin dynasty, the precursor of the Qing dynasty. His mother, who was from the Irgen-Gioro (伊爾根覺羅) clan, was a concubine of Nurhaci.

Abatai led Later Jin forces to attack the tribes of Weji in 1611 and those of Jarut in 1623. He was disciplined for abandoning his colleagues during a raid on territories of the Ming Empire in 1629. He was also held responsible for the loss of Yongping and other conquered Ming cities in 1629 and 1630.

In 1631, Abatai was appointed to the Manchu Board of Works. He was reprimanded for incompetence at the siege of Dalian in 1633 but reformed his conduct, and with his younger half-brother Ajige, he reputedly fought and won 56 engagements. He was handsomely rewarded in 1636 for his achievements in battle.

In 1641, Abatai was stripped off his ranks for withdrawing without permission during the siege of Jinzhou in 1641. He then led a raiding force into northern China, advancing into Zhili, Shandong and Jiangsu from 1642 to 1643.

In 1644, Abatai was granted the title "Prince Raoyu of the Second Rank" (饒餘郡王), and in the following year he was placed in command of the military in Shandong. He died in 1646.

• Father: Nurhaci, founder of the Qing dynasty.
• Mother: Lady Irgen-Gioro (伊爾根覺羅氏), a concubine of Nurhaci.
• Spouse: Lady Nara (納喇氏), bore Abatai four sons.
• Children:
  • Šanggiyan (尚建), Abatai's eldest son. He was made a gushan beizi.
  • Bohoto (博和託), Abatai's second son. He was also a gushan beizi.
  • Bolo (1613–52), Abatai's third son. He was made "Prince Duanzhong of the First Rank" (端重親王)
  • Yolo (岳樂; 19 October 1625 - 15 March 1689), Abatai's fourth son. He was made "Prince An of the First Rank" (安親王).
  • Hedu (和度), Abatai's fifth son.
  • Daughter, name unknown. She married the Han Chinese General Li Yongfang (李永芳). The offspring of Li received the "Third Class Viscount" (三等子爵; sān děng zǐjué) title. Li Yongfang was the great great great grandfather of Li Shiyao 李侍堯.
  • Daughter, name unknown. She married Inggūldai (英俄爾岱).

The "Dolo efu" 和碩額駙 rank was given to husbands of Qing princesses. Geng Zhongming, a Han Chinese bannerman, was awarded the title of Prince Jingnan, and his son Geng Jingmao managed to have both his sons Geng Jingzhong and Geng Zhaozhong 耿昭忠 become court attendants under the Shunzhi Emperor and get married to Aisin Gioro women, with Prince Abatai's granddaughter marrying Geng Zhaozhong 耿昭忠 and Haoge's (a son of Hong Taiji) daughter marrying Geng Jingzhong. A daughter 和硕柔嘉公主 of the Manchu Aisin Gioro Prince Yolo 岳樂 (Prince An) was wedded to Geng Juzhong 耿聚忠 who was another son of Geng Jingmao.