Abatai

Abatai (Manchu: ; 27 July 1589 – 10 May 1646) was a Manchu prince and military general during the early Qing dynasty. He was born into the Manchu Aisin Gioro clan, the imperial family of the Qing dynasty, specifically within the Plain Blue Banner. His father was Nurhaci, the khan of the Later Jin dynasty, which preceded the Qing dynasty. Abatai's mother was from the Irgen Gioro clan and was a concubine of Nurhaci.

Throughout his military career, Abatai participated in several campaigns. In 1611, he led Later Jin forces in attacking the tribes of Weji. In 1623, he led the assault on the tribes of Jarut. His military reputation was mixed; in 1629, he was disciplined for abandoning colleagues during a raid on Ming Empire territories. He was also held responsible for the loss of Yongping and other Ming cities during 1629 and 1630.

In 1631, Abatai was appointed to the Manchu Board of Works. His performance during the siege of Dalian in 1633 was scrutinized, and he was reprimanded for incompetence. However, he improved his conduct and, along with his younger half-brother Ajige, reputedly engaged in and won 56 military engagements. His achievements in battle earned him substantial rewards in 1636.

In 1641, Abatai was stripped of his ranks due to withdrawing without permission during the siege of Jinzhou. Following this, he led a raiding force into northern China and extended his military operations 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). The following year, he was appointed to lead military forces in Shandong. He died in 1646.

Abatai's family included his primary consort from the Nara clan, with whom he had several children, including his first daughter (1604–1629), who married Li Yongfang and died in 1634, and his second daughter who was titled Princess of the Fourth Rank. His children also included several sons: Šanggiyan, Prince Xianque of the Fourth Rank; Bohoto, Prince Wenliang of the Fourth Rank; Bolo, Prince Duanzhongding of the First Rank; and Yolo, Prince Anhe of the First Rank. Additionally, he had a secondary consort from the Borjigit clan, with whom he fathered Kongguli, his fifth son. He also maintained relationships with mistresses from the Mangnot, Gongginat, and Ulanghaigimot clans.

Abatai's ancestry traces back to the Nurhaci lineage within the Manchu imperial family. His paternal lineage is of significant historical importance, establishing his position within the Qing noble hierarchy.

References include works by Du Jiaji (2008), Arthur W. Hummel Sr. (1943), and Zhao Erxun (1928).