Overview
Nurhaci founded the state that became the Qing. A Jurchen chief of the Aisin Gioro clan, he united the Jurchen tribes over three decades and ruled as khan, a title he took from Mongol practice before he declared a dynasty.
Rise to Power
He began his rise in 1583, avenging the deaths of his father and grandfather. In 1606 Mongol princes gave him the title Kündülen Khan, and in 1616 he proclaimed himself khan of the Jin (Aisin gurun), known as the Later Jin.
Rule and Achievements
- Had the Manchu script adapted from the Mongolian script in 1599
- Organised his people and allies into the Eight Banners
- Issued the Seven Grievances against the Ming in 1618 and destroyed the Ming armies at Sarhu in 1619
- Took Liaodong and moved his capital to Liaoyang (1621) and then Shenyang (1625)
Legacy
He was defeated by Yuan Chonghuan at Ningyuan in early 1626, his first serious defeat, and died that September. His son Hong Taiji succeeded him. The Qing honoured him as Taizu.