Behind the veil of the Forbidden City's imperial harem

Shoukang Palace inside the Forbidden City.[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

Early Qing Dynasty members

Major royal family members in early Qing Dynasty:

Nurhaci (1559-1626), ruler of Later Jin Dynasty (predecessor of Qing) 1616-26

Hong Taiji (1592-1643), ruler of Later Jin and Qing (Later Jin was renamed during his reign) 1626-43

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang (1613-88)

Shunzhi Emperor or Fulin (1638-61), reigned 1643-61, and the first Qing ruler to live in the Forbidden City after Qing took over Beijing in 1644

Kangxi Emperor or Xuanye (1654-1722), reigned 1661-22

Yongzheng Emperor or Yinzhen (1678-1735), reigned 1722-35

Empress Dowager Xiaoshengxian (1693-1777)

Qianlong Emperor or Hongli (1711-99), reigned 1735-96