Bujantai

Bujantai (Manchu: ; Chinese: 布占泰; 1575–1618) was a Jurchen beile (chieftain) of the Ula tribal confederation during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

**Early Life and Ancestry**

Bujantai descended from Nacibulu (納奇卜祿), the ancestor of the Nara lineages of the Ula and Hada tribes. According to tradition, Nacibulu attracted Mongol attention and, upon resisting their capture, challenged them with the name "Nara," which is understood to have given rise to the Nara clan's name. Nacibulu established his settlement near modern Jilin on the Sungari River, often referred to simply as the Ula River. He became a prominent hunter and trapper, attracting followers to his community.

Subsequent generations saw the rise of his descendants, notably two brothers, Kesina (克什納) and Gudui Juyan (古對珠延), who became ancestors of the Hada and Ula branches of the Nara clan, respectively. Buyan (布延), grandson of Gudui Juyan, fortified the settlement and declared himself beile of the Ula tribe. Two of his grandsons, Mantai (滿泰) and Bujantai, succeeded as beile of the Ula.

**Political and Military Activities**

In the late 16th century, Bujantai played a significant role in the alliances and conflicts involving the Hūlun coalition, which included several tribes and Mongol groups. Under the leadership of the beile Bujai of the Yehe tribe and Narimbulu, the coalition was formed to oppose Nurhaci, the emerging Jurchen leader. Bujantai commanded the Ula contingent but was captured by Nurhaci after the defeat at Mount Gure in October 1593. Nurhaci chose not to execute him and held him as a retainer for three years before releasing him with escort. Following his release, Bujantai was installed as beile of the Ula by Nurhaci, succeeding his brother.

To strengthen alliances, Bujantai formed matrimonial ties with Nurhaci's family. He sent a sister as a wife to Nurhaci's brother, Šurhaci, in 1597, and in 1601 arranged for his niece, who would become Empress Xiao Lie Wu, to marry Nurhaci. In 1603, he also received a daughter of Šurhaci as a wife and sought a further alliance by requesting a wife from the Mongol tribe of Minggan.

Despite these familial ties, conflicts persisted. In 1607, Bujantai led the Ula in war against Nurhaci but was defeated, losing some towns. Bujantai subsequently promised Nurhaci that a wife would secure peace, resulting in him receiving a daughter of Nurhaci's, which maintained a truce for four years.

In 1612, Bujantai attempted to bribe the Yehe beile, Bujai, into giving him a daughter promised to Nurhaci. During this period, Bujantai insulted Nurhaci's daughter by shooting arrows at her, which incited Nurhaci's wrath. Nurhaci responded with a military expedition in 1613, defeating the Ula tribe. Bujantai fled to the Yehe tribe under the beile Gintaisi, who provided him refuge. Bujantai died before the fall of the Yehe tribe to Nurhaci.

**Family**

Bujantai's father was Bugan.

His consorts and issue included:

- A wife of the Aisin Gioro clan, personal name Eshitai (1584–1656), daughter of Surhaci

- A wife of the Aisin Gioro clan, personal name E'enzhe (1584–1639), daughter of Surhaci

- A wife of the Aisin Gioro clan, personal name Mukushen (1595–1659), daughter of Nurhaci

- Mordaja (茂墨尔)

- Gaduhun (噶都浑)

- Hongkuang (洪匡)

- An unknown first son named Dalamu (達拉穆)

- Seven other sons

- Lady Ulanara of the Yehe Nara clan, married Dudu, Prince Anping of the Third Rank of the Aisin Gioro clan, and had issue including six sons and one daughter

- Lady Ulanara, married Šoto, Prince of the Third Rank

- Ulanara Jihai, married Sahaliyan, Prince Yingyi of the First Rank, son of Daišan.

**References**

- Kennedy, George A. (1943). "Bujantai." In Arthur W. Sr. Hummel (ed.), *Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period*. United States Government Printing Office.

- Crossley, Pamela Kyle (2002). *The Manchus*. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-0-631-23591-0.