Imperial Concubine Tian

Concubine Tian (simplified Chinese: 恬嫔; traditional Chinese: 恬嬪; pinyin: Tián Pín) was born on April 15, 1789, and died on August 21, 1845. She belonged to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Fuca clan and was a consort of the Daoguang Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

Family Background:

She was a member of the prominent Manchu Fuca clan. Her personal name is not recorded in historical documents. Her father was Chaqing'a, who served as a magistrate of Guangdong. Her paternal grandfather was Mujing'an, a fifth-rank literary official (员外郎), and a grandson of Maci. Her mother was Lady Aisin-Gioro. Her maternal grandfather was Keling'a, who held the position of second-class bodyguard (二等侍卫). She had at least one younger sister, who was the primary wife of Gioro Chunpei, the Master Commandant of Cavalry. She also had two younger brothers: Chengduan, who served as a fourth-rank literary official in the Ministry of Works, and Chengchun, a secretary of the Inner Court.

Life and Career:

Concubine Tian was born during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. In 1806, during the Jiaqing era, she entered the residence of Prince Zhi of the First Rank as a secondary consort (侧福晋). Following the ascension of the Daoguang Emperor in 1820, she was granted the title "Concubine Tian" (恬嫔). The character "恬" means "peaceful" in Chinese, and in Manchu, it connotes "composed." Initially, she resided in Chengqian Palace and later moved to Yanxi Palace in 1825, which was under the jurisdiction of Consort Zhen.

Throughout her time in the imperial court, Concubine Tian was described as a benevolent and virtuous individual. She was praised by palace staff; for example, when her head palace maid fell ill, she sent her to recover. In 1843, she participated in a banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager Gongci at Cining Palace, alongside other imperial consorts. Every New Year’s Day, she would burn incense in the back hall of Chuxiu Palace in honor of Empress Xiaoshencheng. Despite her earlier status as a secondary consort, she never rose above the rank of concubine.

Death:

On August 21, 1845, Yanxi Palace was set on fire. Concubine Tian was unable to escape and died at the age of 58. Following her death, her head eunuch was beaten 100 times and exiled to the Amur region. Her remains were interred at Mu Mausoleum of the Western Qing tombs.

Titles and Ranks:

- During the Qianlong Emperor’s reign (1735–1796): Lady Fuca.

- During the Jiaqing Emperor’s reign (1796–1820): Secondary Consort (侧福晋) from 1806.

- During the Daoguang Emperor’s reign (1820–1850): Concubine Tian (恬嫔), fifth rank consort.

References:

This biographical account draws on historical records of Qing imperial consorts and includes details about her family, titles, and life at court.