Borjijite
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The Borjijite were the Imperial Clan of Genghis Khan of the Horqin Mongols. They were the strongest of the 49 Mongol banners well into the Qing Dynasty.
During the initial building of the Qing, the Aisin Gioro clan had the tradition of "diplomatic" marriages with Mongols to earn their support. Qing rulers would make Mongol ladies empresses and major concubines. As the Horqin were the strongest banner, the Manchus were anxious to make alliances the from the Borjijite clan. These marriages produced two empresses and three dowager empresses of the Qing Dynasty, from which a Xiao Zhuang Wen subsequently became a famous grand empress dowager. Hence, it is not surprising to note that from King Nurhaci to Emperor Shunzhi, all the Empresses and major concubines were Mongolians.
[edit] Prominent Borjijite Empresses
- Empress Xiao Duan Wen (Jere Borjijite) was made Empress in 1636, Empress of Emperor Hong Taiji. Daughter of Prince Manjusri. Known as a benevolent Empress and the most virtuous of all. Made 'Motherly Empress' Dowager Empress (Mu Hou Huang Tai Hou) in 1643 after the death Of Emperor Huangtaiji. She died in 1649 (Shunzhi 6th year).
- Empress Xiao Zhuang Wen (Bumubutai Borjijite) was historically considered the Mother of Qing dynasty. Concubine of Huangtaiji. Daughter of Prince Jaisang and niece of Empress Xiaoduanwen. Made the 'Enlightened Mother' Dowager Empress (Sheng Mu Huang Tai Hou) in 1643 after the death of Emperor Hong Taiji. She died in 1688 having helped Shunzhi Emperor run the country till his death and Kangxi Emperor for 25 years of his reign. She was an excellent politician who did not to interfere in politics, unlike the notorious Empress Dowager Cixi. However, when the conditions required, she rendered her efforts.
