In the pass list for the palace examination in 1652, the candidates were separately listed according to their ethnic origins, namely Manchurian or Han Chinese. Mongolians were included in the Manchurian list and members of the Han Eight Banners came listed under the Han Chinese. Candidates in both lists were conferred degrees under the system of Three Categories (sanjia): Metropolitan Graduates with Honors (jinshi jidi) of the First Category and Metropolitan Graduatse (jinshi chushen) of the Second and Third Categories. In this examination, the top three candidates of Manchurian, in the order of excellence, were Maleji (?-1689), Jekune (?-1676), and Bahai (?-1696). The top three of Han Chinese were Zou Zhongyi (1623-1654), Zhang Yongqi, and Shen Quan (1624-1684). Successful candidates of the palace examination would first attend a banquet held by the Ministry of Rites and then receive gowns and caps worn by government officials. On the 4th day of the 4th month of that year, the two Principal Graduates of Manchurian and Han Chinese led all the other Metropolitan Graduates to the front of the Meridian Gate where they would submit memorials to express gratitude to the Emperor. The two Principal Graduates were both assigned to the Hongwen School of Hanlin Academy as senior compilers.
- Item No.
- 087232
- Period
- 1652
- Dimensions
- 28.3x10.5 cm
- Materials
- paper
