The
Deliberative Council of Princes and Ministers , also known as the
Council of Princes and High Officials and
Assembly of Princes and High Officials, or simply as the
Deliberative Council , was an advisory body for the
emperors of the early
Qing dynasty (1644–1912). Derived from informal deliberative groups created by
Nurhaci (1559–1626) in the 1610s and early 1620s, the Council was formally established by his son and successor
Hong Taiji (1592–1643) in 1626 and expanded in 1637. Staffed mainly by
Manchu dignitaries, this
aristocratic institution served as the chief source of advice on military matters for Hong Taiji and the
Shunzhi (r. 1643–1661) and
Kangxi (r. 1661–1722) emperors. It was particularly powerful during the regencies of
Dorgon (1643–1650) and
Oboi (1661–1669), who used it to enhance their personal influence.