| Researches on Manchu Origins | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 滿洲源流考 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 满洲源流考 | ||||||
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| Mongolian name | |||||||
| Mongolian script | ᠮᠠᠨᠵᠢᠢᠨ ᠭᠠᠷᠠᠯ ᠦᠦᠰᠯᠢᠢᠨ ᠲᠠᠯᠠᠠᠷᠺᠬᠢ ᠰᠦᠳᠠᠯᠭᠠᠠ | ||||||
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| Manchu name | |||||||
| Manchu script | ᠮᠠᠨᠵᡠᠰᠠᡳ ᡩᠠ ᠰᡝᡴᡳᠶᡝᠨ ᡳ ᡴᡳᠮᠴᡳᠨ ᠪᡳᡨᡥᡝ | ||||||
| Abkai | Manjusai da sekiyen-i kimqin bithe | ||||||
| Möllendorff | Manjusai da sekiyen-i kimcin bithe | ||||||
Researches on Manchu Origins, also known asManzhou Yuanliu Kao, is an important history book published by theQing dynasty government in 1777. TheQianlong Emperor sponsored its compilation with the goal of legitimizing Qing rule, as well as identifying the Qing as a successor to theJin dynasty (1115–1234).[1] The Manzhou Yuanliu Kao also bolstered Qianlong's conception of theManchu people as awu, or martial, race.[2]
It consists of 4 parts: Manchu tribes, territory, topography (mountains and rivers), and culture.Pamela Kyle Crossley analyses it as the apex of the Qing dynasty's attempt at "documentary institutionalisation" of Manchu heritage and from it, Manchu ethnic identity.[3] Researches on Manchu Origins contained a list of corrections of transcribedJurchen language words found in theHistory of Jin in Chapter 135, using theManchu language to correct them, in Chapter 18.[4]
Manzhou Yuanliu Kao was compiled from the perspective of the Manchu ruling class, breaking away from the historical record of librarians by theHan-centric view. It is a document that shows the ethnicity that they have had since ancient times, from theJurchen tribes to the Manchu tribes. The lineages of Jurchens and Manchus are continued inBuyeo,Samhan,Baekje,Silla, Sushen,Balhae,[5][6] and Jurchen by era.
The Aisin-Gioro traced its ancestry toBukūri Yongšon, a legendary warrior of the thirteenth century. EmperorHongtaiji claimed that Bukūri Yongšon was conceived from a virgin birth. According to the legend, three heavenly maidens, Enggulen, Jenggulen, and Fekulen, were bathing at a lake called Bulhūri Omo near thePaektu Mountain. A magpie dropped a piece of red fruit near Fekulen, who ate it. She then became pregnant with Bukūri Yongšon. However, this legend belongs to another Manchu clan, the Hurha (Hurka).[7][8]