The Rise of Nurhaci and the Later Jin Dynasty

The early 17th century marked a pivotal era in Manchurian history as Nurhaci, the founding khan of the Later Jin Dynasty, consolidated power among the Jurchen tribes. By 1616, he had established a centralized state that would later evolve into the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China for nearly three centuries. Nurhaci’s military campaigns and political alliances laid the foundation for this expansion, but his final days in 1626 would trigger a ruthless succession struggle.

At the heart of this drama was Abahai (also known as Lady Abahai), Nurhaci’s favored consort. Young, intelligent, and the mother of three influential sons—Ajige, Dorgon, and Dodo—Abahai occupied a privileged position in the khan’s court. However, her proximity to power made her a target in the deadly game of succession.

The Five Days That Changed Everything

On the seventh day of the eighth lunar month in 1626, a gravely ill Nurhaci summoned Abahai to his side. For five critical days, she remained with him as his health deteriorated, becoming the sole witness to his final moments. Historians have long debated what transpired during those days. Did Nurhaci name a successor? Did he entrust Abahai with his political wishes? The answers died with them—but the implications did not.

Nurhaci had once favored his eldest son, Daišan, as heir. Historical records indicate that the khan had even declared, “After my death, my youngest sons and my chief consort shall be entrusted to Daišan’s care.” This statement strongly suggested Daišan’s future role as khan. Known for his military prowess and benevolent leadership, Daišan seemed the natural choice—until scandal upended his prospects.

The Scandal That Shook the Court

In 1620 (the fifth year of the Tianming era), Daišan and Abahai were accused of an illicit affair—an allegation that enraged Nurhaci. The khan temporarily exiled Abahai and stripped Daišan of his inheritance rights. Many historians believe this scandal was orchestrated by Hong Taiji (Nurhaci’s eighth son), an ambitious prince determined to eliminate his rivals.

Hong Taiji allegedly bribed a minor consort, Dayancha, to accuse Daišan and Abahai. The scheme was devastatingly effective: Daišan’s reputation crumbled, Abahai fell from grace, and Hong Taiji positioned himself as a leading contender for the throne. Yet Abahai’s exile was short-lived. Her three sons—particularly Dorgon, whom Nurhaci openly favored—ensured her eventual reinstatement. By 1626, she had regained her status, making her a formidable figure in the succession debate.

The Deadly Aftermath of Nurhaci’s Death

When Nurhaci died on the eleventh day of the eighth month, Hong Taiji moved swiftly to neutralize Abahai. If she claimed that Nurhaci had named one of her sons as heir, Hong Taiji’s ambitions would be crushed. His solution was brutal: force Abahai to commit ritual suicide (殉葬).

Under Jurchen tradition, only lower-ranking consorts were expected to follow their husbands in death. High-ranking wives—especially those with young children—were exempt. Abahai’s sons Dorgon and Dodo were still adolescents, making her an unlikely candidate for殉葬. Yet Hong Taiji and his allies, including the disgraced Daišan, insisted that Nurhaci had demanded her sacrifice.

Historical accounts describe Abahai’s resistance. She “protested and refused,” but Hong Taiji’s faction declared, “The late khan’s order cannot be disobeyed.” Cornered, Abahai relented. After pleading for her sons’ safety, she took her own life at age 37.

The Legacy of Abahai and the Rise of Hong Taiji

With Abahai gone, Hong Taiji secured the throne in 1626, later proclaiming himself emperor of the Qing Dynasty in 1636. His reign saw the consolidation of Manchu power and the eventual conquest of Ming China. Yet the shadow of Abahai’s death lingered.

Her sons, particularly Dorgon, would play pivotal roles in Qing history. Dorgon became regent for the young Shunzhi Emperor and oversaw the Qing takeover of Beijing in 1644. Some historians speculate that had Abahai lived, Dorgon might have claimed the throne much earlier—altering the course of the dynasty.

Modern Reflections on a Historical Tragedy

Abahai’s story remains a gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and the precariousness of power. It underscores the brutal realities of succession politics in imperial courts, where women—even those of high status—were often pawns in male-dominated power struggles.

Today, historians continue to debate Nurhaci’s true intentions and Hong Taiji’s ruthlessness. Was Abahai sacrificed for political expediency, or was there deeper justification? The answers may never be clear, but her tragic end serves as a poignant reminder of the high stakes of history.

In museums and historical dramas, Abahai is often portrayed as a tragic heroine—a woman whose loyalty and love for her children could not save her from the machinations of those around her. Her legacy endures not just in the annals of the Qing Dynasty, but as a symbol of the human cost of power.