Borjigit, Demoted Empress

Borjigit, Demoted Empress (birth and death dates unknown, fl. 17th century CE) refers to the first empress of the Shunzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

She was a Khorchin Mongol, a branch of the Mongol Borjigit clan that claimed descent from Hasar, a younger brother of Genghis Khan. Her personal name is unknown. Lady Borjigit was the daughter of Wukeshan (吳克善), older brother of the Shunzhi Emperor's mother Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. She was chosen to be Empress by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang, and was instated in 1651 after the Shunzhi Emperor started personal rule. The regent Dorgon also encouraged the marriage between Shunzhi and Lady Borjigit. However for unclear reasons Shunzhi disliked Lady Borjigit so much that he vehemently demanded that she be replaced. Lady Borjigit was said to be beautiful and intelligent, but spoiled, extravagant and arrogant. In 1653 Lady Borjigit was demoted from the status of Empress to Consort Jing (靜妃).

See also

• Ranks of Imperial Consorts in China#Qing
• Qing Dynasty nobility

Succession