Author: Fırat Güney
Affiliation: Department of History, Boğaziçi University
Published by: Lectern Journal
Edited by: Ahmet Haktan Canpolat
Copyright: © 2025 by Manzara Dergi. All rights reserved.

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Abstract
This paper examines the emergence of Manchu ethnicity in the seventeenth century and its interrelation with the Eight Banners institution during the formation and consolidation of the Qing dynasty. Focusing on the transformation of Jurchen clans into a unified Manchu identity, it explores how the Banner system dissolved tribal affiliations, integrated diverse groups such as Mongols and Han Chinese, and established new social and legal distinctions between bannermen and commoners.

The analysis highlights the dual role of the Eight Banners as both a military and socio-political structure, emphasizing their significance in constructing Manchu identity through shared practices, legal frameworks, and cultural values known as the “Manchu Way.” By considering cases such as the Nikans and Hanjun bannermen, the study demonstrates the complexity and fluidity of ethnicity and status within the Banner system, challenging simplified notions of ethnic differentiation and underscoring the nuanced processes behind the rise of Manchuness and the consolidation of Qing imperial power.

Keywords: Manchu Ethnicity, Eight Banners, Qing Dynasty, Jurchens, Ethnicity and Status

Citation (Chicago Style):
Fırat Güney, “Rise of the Manchu Dragon: Ethnicity, Power, and the Eight Banners,” Lectern Journal, Vol. 1, Issue 1 (October 2025): 121–129, Istanbul: Manzara Dergi. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17594352

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