Empress Xiaozhuangwen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Empress Xiaozhuangwen |
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| Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng | |||||||||
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| Empress dowager of the Qing dynasty | |||||||||
| Tenure | 21 September 1643 – 5 February 1661 | ||||||||
| Successor | Empress Dowager Cihe and Empress Xiaohuizhang | ||||||||
| Grand empress dowager of the Qing dynasty | |||||||||
| Tenure | 5 February 1661 – 27 January 1688 | ||||||||
| Born | Borjigit Bumbutai (博爾濟吉特·布木布泰) 28 March 1613 (萬曆四十一年 閏二月 八日) |
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| Died | 27 January 1688 (aged 74) (康熙二十六年 十二月 二十五日) Cining Palace, Forbidden City |
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| Burial | Western Zhao Mausoleum, near Eastern Qing Tombs | ||||||||
| Spouse | |||||||||
| Issue | Princess Yongmu of the First Rank Princess Shuhui of the First Rank Princess Shuzhe of the First Rank Shunzhi Emperor |
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| House | Borjigit (博爾濟吉特) | ||||||||
| Father | Zhaisang | ||||||||
| Mother | Boli | ||||||||
| Empress Xiaozhuangwen | |||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 孝莊文皇后 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 孝庄文皇后 | ||||||
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Bumbutai (born March 28, 1613 – died January 27, 1688) was an important woman in Chinese history. She belonged to the Khorchin Mongol Borjigit clan. Bumbutai was one of the wives of Hong Taiji, an early ruler of the Qing dynasty.
She became known as Empress Dowager Zhaosheng when her son, Fulin, became emperor. Later, she was called Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng during the rule of her grandson, Xuanye. She was very respected for her smart political ideas. After she died, she was given the special title Empress Xiaozhuangwen.
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Early Life and Family
Bumbutai was born in 1613. Her family was very important among the Mongols. Her father, Zhaisang, was a prince. Her mother was Boli. She also had an elder sister, Harjol, who also married Hong Taiji.
Marriage to Hong Taiji
In 1625, when she was about 12 years old, Bumbutai married Hong Taiji. This marriage helped make the relationship between the Qing dynasty and the Khorchin Mongols stronger. Her aunt, Jerjer, had married Hong Taiji earlier.
Bumbutai had several children with Hong Taiji. She gave birth to three daughters:
- Princess Yongmu of the First Rank (born 1629)
- Princess Shuhui of the First Rank (born 1632)
- Princess Shuzhe of the First Rank (born 1633)
In 1636, Hong Taiji gave special titles to his main wives. Bumbutai was named "Consort Zhuang" of Yongfu Palace. Two years later, in 1638, she gave birth to Hong Taiji's ninth son, Fulin. Fulin would later become emperor.
Empress Dowager and Grand Empress Dowager
Supporting Her Son, the Shunzhi Emperor
When Hong Taiji died in 1643, Bumbutai's young son, Fulin, became the Shunzhi Emperor. Because she was the mother of the new emperor, Bumbutai was given the title "Holy Mother, Empress Dowager Zhaosheng." Her aunt, Jerjer, who was Hong Taiji's empress, also became an empress dowager.
Since the Shunzhi Emperor was very young, Hong Taiji's half-brother, Dorgon, was chosen to rule as a prince regent. This meant Dorgon helped govern the country until the emperor was old enough. Bumbutai mostly stayed out of politics during her son's rule.
Guiding Her Grandson, the Kangxi Emperor
In 1661, the Shunzhi Emperor died. His third son, Xuanye, became the new emperor. Since Xuanye was Bumbutai's grandson, she was honored with the title "Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng." The Kangxi Emperor was also very young when he became ruler. Four regents were chosen to help him rule.
Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng played a very important role in her grandson's life. She advised him to learn from the regents. After the Kangxi Emperor's mother died, Bumbutai took charge of raising him. She taught him many important things.
When the Kangxi Emperor grew up, he started to rule on his own. He felt that one of the regents, Oboi, had too much power. In 1669, Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng helped her grandson make a plan to remove Oboi from power. Oboi was tricked, arrested, and lost his position.
Bumbutai was known for being humble. She did not like living in the fancy Forbidden City. She also refused to have big birthday parties because she thought they would cost too much money.
In late 1687, Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng became very sick. The Kangxi Emperor personally took care of her. She passed away on January 27, 1688.
Important Titles She Held
Bumbutai held many important titles throughout her life:
- Lady Borjigit (from 1613)
- Secondary consort (from 1625)
- Consort Zhuang (from 1636), a high-ranking consort
- Empress Dowager Zhaosheng (from 1643), when her son became emperor
- Grand Empress Dowager Zhaosheng (from 1661), when her grandson became emperor
- Empress Xiaozhuangwen (from 1688), a special title given after her death
Her Children
Bumbutai had four children who grew up:
- Princess Yongmu of the First Rank (born 1629)
- She married Birtakhar of the Khorchin Borjigit clan in 1641.
- Princess Shuhui of the First Rank (born 1632)
- She married Suo'erha of the Khalkha Borjigit clan in 1643.
- She later married Sabdan of the Barin Borjigit clan in 1648.
- Princess Shuzhe of the First Rank (born 1633)
- She married Lamasi of the Jarud Borjigit clan in 1645.
- Fulin (born 1638), who became the Shunzhi Emperor in 1643.
Portraits
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Official imperial portrait of Bumbutai, Empress Dowager Zhaosheng.
See also
- Ranks of imperial consorts in China#Qing
- Royal and noble ranks of the Qing dynasty
