Origins and formal establishment Deliberative Council of Princes and Ministers

hong taiji, seen here in imperial regalia, formally established council of deliberative ministers in 1627.

historian robert oxnam has called origin of council complicated , confusing process. council originated in informal institutions created nurhaci (1559–1626) promote collegial rule among sons. in 1601, nurhaci had organized manchu society 4 banners doubled in number in 1615 become 8 banners. in 1622, gave 8 of sons (who called princes, or beile) control on 1 banner each , ordered them meet deliberate major policies, military matters. nurhaci s 8 sons known collectively princes deliberate on government (yizheng wang).

another precursor council group of 5 high officials , ten judges (jarguci), manchu, nurhaci put in charge of administrative , judicial tasks in 1615 or 1616. robert oxnam claims group referred high officials deliberate on government (yizheng dachen) , assisted princes in discussing policy. franz michael, however, claims mere technical advisors , point of view supported silas wu. in 1623, 8 high officials made deliberative officials, functions chiefly censorial , primary role let nurhaci know of conspiracies among princes.

nurhaci succeeded son hong taiji (r. 1626–1643), who, instead of following father s wish collegial rule, became strong ruler laid institutional foundation of qing dynasty. in 1627 placed 8 banners under command of 8 high officials (ma.: gusai ejen; ch.: dachen), told assist princes in policy deliberations. silas wu identifies reform bona fide origin of deliberative council, became hong taiji s main policymaking structure , consulted on foreign , military matters. in 1637, 1 year after had declared himself emperor of qing dynasty, hong taiji officially excluded imperial princes council. instead, council manned 8 lieutenant-generals (later called dutong 都統 in chinese) 2 deputies (fu dutong 副都統) each, put in charge of managing 8 manchu banners. limiting council membership manchu military leaders outside imperial clan, hung taiji enhanced personal power @ expense of other princes. nonetheless council remained bastion of collective aristocratic rule within qing government.