Sahaliyan

Sahaliyan, also rendered as Sahalin, was an imperial prince of the Qing dynasty of China. He was born on June 19, 1604, in Liaodong and died on June 11, 1636. He was the third son of Prince Lilie of the First Rank Daišan and a grandson of Nurhaci, the founding emperor of the Qing dynasty. Sahaliyan was posthumously honored with the title Prince Ying of the First Rank in recognition of his contributions during the Qing conquest of the Central Plain. Following the death of his son Adali, who was executed for treason, the peerage became extinct.

### Early Life

Sahaliyan’s mother was Lady Yehe Nara, who held the title of Second Primary Princess Consort Lilie of the First Rank. His birthplace was in Liaodong. From a young age, Sahaliyan received the favor of Hong Taiji, which contributed to his loyalty to the prince and later emperor. He was noted for his extensive education, being proficient in Chinese, Manchu, and Mongolian languages.

### Military and Political Career

Sahaliyan’s military career began early. In 1625, during the Tianming era, he led a campaign against the Chahar and Khorchin tribes with a force of approximately 5,000 soldiers. In 1626, he participated in the conquest of Khalkha tribes alongside his father Daišan. That same year, he was granted a noble title as a prince of the third rank, alongside other imperial princes such as Yoto. Despite hesitations, Sahaliyan accepted the title, citing a lack of confidence in his own abilities, but he supported the election of Hong Taiji as a Khan, laying the groundwork for this political transition.

### Role in Internal Affairs

In 1633, following the deposition of Manggūltai, Sahaliyan played a role in arresting Princess Mangguji, Nurhaci’s third daughter. Her interactions with Degelei and her requests to Degelei to murder her second prince consort led to her detention. Her strained relations with Hong Taiji, who viewed her and her brother as enemies, contributed to her downfall. In 1635, Princess Mangguji was murdered along with her second daughter.

### Death and Posthumous Honors

Sahaliyan died from illness on June 11, 1636, at the age of 32. His death prompted mourning in the court, particularly from Hong Taiji, who had him posthumously awarded the title Prince Ying of the First Rank. Hong Taiji also suspended court sessions for three days in his honor, a rare display reserved for distinguished imperial princes. His successors included his eldest son, Adali, and his second son, Lekdehun, who was granted the title Prince Shuncheng of the Second Rank.

In 1672, the Kangxi Emperor added the character “yi” (毅) to Sahaliyan’s posthumous title, resulting in Prince Yingyi of the First Rank. Subsequently, in 1755, the Qianlong Emperor ordered that Sahaliyan’s memorial tablet be placed in the Temple of Worthies to commemorate his role in the conquest of the Ming dynasty.

### Family

Sahaliyan was married to Ulanara Jihai, daughter of Bujantai. His primary consort was executed for treason alongside his first son. His children included:

- Adali (October 28, 1624 – September 30, 1643), his first son.

- A daughter recognized as a Princess of the Fourth Rank, married to He'erben of the Donggiya clan in 1633.

- Lekdehun (June 25, 1629 – May 4, 1652), his second son, who was granted the title Prince Shuncheng Gonghui of the Second Rank.

- A second daughter, also a Princess of the Fourth Rank, born in 1625 and married to Prince Tenggis of the Sunid Borjigin clan in 1640.

- Dulan (September 11, 1633 – June 9, 1675), his third son, who held the title Grace Defender Duke.

### Cultural Legacy

Legends about Sahaliyan include stories of an apparition seen after his death, involving Hong Taiji dreaming of him in a palace apparition, which has been part of court lore. In historical texts such as the "Chronicle of Great Ming," references to this apparition are noted, emphasizing Sahaliyan’s significance in Qing history.

### References

Further details on Sahaliyan can be found in Arthur W. Hummel Sr.’s "Eminent Chinese of the Ch’ing Period," and other historical texts documenting the Qing dynasty’s early history.