Overview
Hong Taiji turned his father's khanate into an empire. He ruled the Later Jin as khan from 1626, and from 1636 as emperor of the Qing, to Manchus and Han, and as great khan to the Mongols.
Rise to Power
He was chosen khan by the Manchu princes after Nurhaci's death in 1626.
Rule and Achievements
- Invaded Joseon Korea in 1627 and again in 1636, making it a tributary
- Defeated Ligdan Khan, the last Chinggisid great khan, and in 1635 received the Yuan imperial seal from Ligdan's family
- Renamed his people Manchu in 1635 and the state Qing in 1636, when the southern Mongol nobles acclaimed him Bogd Sechen Khan
- Set up the Mongol office in 1636, renamed the Lifan Yuan in 1638, to govern the Mongols
Legacy
He died in September 1643, a year before the Qing took Beijing. His son Fulin succeeded him as the Shunzhi Emperor. The Qing honoured him as Taizong.