Empress Xiaoliewu

Empress Xiaoliewu (1590 – 1 October 1626), of the Ula-Nara clan, personal name Abahai, was a wife of Nurhaci.

Abahai was erroneously identified with Hong Taiji, Nurhaci's eighth son and successor, in earlier sources.

Life Family background Father: Mantai (; d. 1596); held the title of beile

Tianqi era Soon after Abahai's banishment, Nurhaci started to miss her. By 1622, he was considering bringing her back. Around late 1622 to early 1623, Abahai returned and her status was restored.

Tiancong era When Nurhaci died on 30 September 1626, Abahai was forced to commit suicide by her stepson, Hong Taiji. According to legend, she was forced to accept being buried alive beside Nurhaci to prove her love for him. Other sources claim that she was strangled by Hong Taiji's servants as she stood as a threat to his ascension. Either way, Abahai committed suicide on 1 October 1626, the day after Nurhaci's death, on the order of Hong Taiji. She was 36 years old.

Shunzhi era During the early reign of the Shunzhi Emperor, while Dorgon served as regent for the underage emperor, Abahai was posthumously honored as "Empress Xiaoliewu", but the title was revoked in 1653.

Titles During the reign of the Wanli Emperor : Lady Ula-Nara Consort (; from November/December 1601) Great Consort (; from unknown date) During the reign of the Shunzhi Emperor : Empress Xiaoliewu (; from 1650 to 1653)

Issue Ajige , Prince Ying of the First Rank (; 28 August 1605 – 28 November 1651), Nurhaci's 12th son Dorgon , Prince Ruizhong of the First Rank (; 17 November 1612 – 31 December 1650), Nurhaci's 14th son Dodo , Prince Yutong of the First Rank (; 2 April 1614 – 29 April 1649), Nurhaci's 15th son

In popular culture Portrayed by Eva Lai in The Rise and Fall of Qing Dynasty (1987) Portrayed by Siqin Gaowa in Xiaozhuang Mishi (2003) Portrayed by Cheng Lisha in Taizu Mishi (2005) Portrayed by Tao Huimin in Da Qing Fengyun (2006) Portrayed by Kara Wai in The Legend of Xiaozhuang (2015) Portrayed by Chen Xinyu in Rule the World (2017)