Death of Hong Taiji

Background. Hong Taiji was the second khan of the Later Jin and the founding emperor of the Qing dynasty. He consolidated the empire founded by his father Nurhaci and laid the groundwork for the conquest of the Ming dynasty, although he died before this was accomplished.

Death. Hong Taiji died on 21 September 1643 just as the Qing was preparing to attack Shanhai Pass, the last Ming fortification guarding access to the north China plains. The supplied passages do not confirm the specific location of his death.

Succession. Because Hong Taiji died without naming an heir, the Qing state faced a succession crisis. The Deliberative Council debated between Dorgon and Hooge, but chose the five-year-old Fulin as a compromise. Fulin was officially crowned emperor on 8 October 1643 under the era name Shunzhi.