China: Empress Xiao Zhuang (March 28, 1613 - January 27, 1688), Grand Empress Dowager and descendant of Genghis Khan's family. Hanging scroll painting, 17th century. The Empress Xiaozhuang, born Borjigit Bumbutai and honoured for most of her life by the title 'Grand Empress Dowager', was the concubine and consort of Emperor Huang Taiji, the mother of the Shunzhi Emperor and the grandmother of the Kangxi Emperor during the Qing Dynasty. She wielded significant influence over the imperial court during the rule of her son and grandson, and was known for her wisdom and political ability.

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The Empress Xiaozhuang (March 28, 1613 - January 27, 1688), known for most of her life by the title 'Grand Empress Dowager', was the concubine of Emperor Huang Taiji, the mother of the Shunzhi Emperor and the grandmother of the Kangxi Emperor during the Qing Dynasty in China. She wielded significant influence over the Qing court during the rule of her son and grandson. Known for her wisdom and political ability, Xiaozhuang has become a largely respected figure in Chinese history, strictly in contrast to the despotic reputation of Empress Dowager Cixi. Empress Xiao Zhuang Wen was a daughter of a prince of Borjigit clan of the Khorchin Mongols, Prince Jaisang, and thus was a descendant of Genghis Khan's younger brother Jochi Khasar. Her given name was Bumbutai.

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Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: 17th, art, arts, asia, asian, borjigit, bumbutai, century, china, chinese, clan, concubine, consort, dowager, dynasty, east, empress, grand, hanging, heaven, history, hong, huang, imperial, kangxi, khorchin, manchu, mandate, monarch, monarchy, mongol, mongolia, painting, portrait, qing, queen, royal, royalty, ruler, scroll, shunzhi, taiji, woman, xiao, xiaozhuang, zhuang