QOTD

QOTD: “The Eight Banner system as it existed in the late nineteenth century was fundamentally little changed from when it was first set up by the founders of the dynasty, Nurhaci and Hong Taiji, prior to the invasion of Ming dynasty (1368-1644) China. Nurhaci created the system in 1615 when he divided all the scattered Jurchen tribes in the mountains of eastern and northern “Manchuria” that he had dominated into eight groups called “banners” (qi), each with a number of companies (zuoling). Twenty years later, when Hong Taiji bestowed the new name ‘Manzhou” (from the Manchu “Manju”) upon his people, they became the Eight Banner Manchus” (Bagi Manzhou).” Manchus and Hans by Edward J.M Rhoads