Suksaha

Suksaha (Manchu: ; Chinese: 蘇克薩哈; pinyin: Sūkèsàhā; died 1667) was an official of the early Qing dynasty belonging to the Nara clan. His death occurred in 1667. He was a military officer who participated in the Manchu conquest of China and subsequently served as one of the Four Regents during the early reign of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722).

Born into the Nara clan of the Plain White Banner, Suksaha was from a tribe that shared the same affiliation as Gintaisi. His name in the Manchu language means "calf" or "big leg." He was the son of Suna. Suksaha was multilingual, speaking Manchu, Mongolian, and Chinese.

He distinguished himself through military engagements against Joseon Korea and Ming China in the 1630s and 1640s. Notable battles included those at Songshan and Jinzhou in 1641, which contributed to the surrender of Ming commander Hong Chengchou to Qing forces in 1642. During the Manchu conquest of China, led by Prince Regent Dorgon (1612–1650), who headed the Plain Yellow Banner, Suksaha was recognized for his military successes and was appointed to the Deliberative Council, the primary policy-making body of the early Qing. Following the accession of the Shunzhi Emperor, Suksaha became an advisor to the Empress Dowager Zhaosheng.

In 1661, after the death of the Shunzhi Emperor, a modified imperial will designated four regents for the six-year-old Kangxi Emperor. These regents were Soni, Oboi, Suksaha, and Ebilun. Their appointment aimed to prevent the concentration of power among imperial relatives and was a response to previous court purges of Dorgon’s supporters during the Shunzhi reign. Suksaha was the youngest among the four regents.

During Kangxi’s early reign, Suksaha played a significant role, including overseeing the execution of Ming loyalist Zheng Zhilong. Over time, he became embroiled in political disputes, particularly with Oboi, who sought to increase his influence by discrediting other regents. Suksaha and Oboi became political rivals, with Suksaha opposing Oboi’s consolidation efforts. This rivalry intensified after the death of Soni in August 1667, when Suksaha requested retirement due to old age and illness.

Subsequently, at Oboi’s likely advice, the Kangxi Emperor ordered an investigation into Suksaha's motives. On September 2, 1667, the Deliberative Council ordered Suksaha and his male relatives’ arrest. Two days later, Suksaha was found guilty of twenty-four "grave crimes" and sentenced to death by slow slicing. The indictment included allegations of schemes and conspiracy, and many of his male relatives and members of the imperial guard were implicated. Although initially sentenced to death by slow slicing, his sentence was later commuted to hanging. Several years afterward, the court recognized that the initial sentencing process was hasty and revoked the punishment for his sons and male kin. His son, Su Changshou, was allowed to inherit his noble title following his father's disgrace.