Expansion of the Manchu Eight Banners

Timeline

1. 1610–1615Hetu Ala · LiaodongIn unifying the Jianzhou tribes, Nurhaci integrated nurhu organizations into the Yellow, White, Red, and Blue banners, later adding four bordered banners to complete the Jianzhou Eight Banners system. In the 1610s, conquests of the Hada, Huifa, and other tribes continually brought new populations into the banners.
2. 1615–1618Liaodong · LiaodongIn conquering and pacifying Mongol tribes such as the Khorchin, the Later Jin incorporated surrendered Mongol populations into the banner system (the Mongol Eight Banners were formally established in Tiancong 9, i.e., 1635), expanding cavalry strength and influence over the Mongolian steppe.
3. 1618–1619Liaodong · LiaodongAfter the Battle of Fushun, many surrendered Han soldiers and populations joined the Later Jin, who organized them into Han Chinese nurhu. The Han Chinese Banner was established in Tiancong 5 (1631) and expanded into the Han Chinese Eight Banners in Chongde 7 (1642), forming a military structure of parallel Manchu, Mongol, and Han banners that supplied manpower and logistics for the Later Jin's continuing campaigns against Ming.