Jurchen

Jurchen, a historical Mongolic people, probably of Manchu stock, who ruled over North China (Kin, or "Golden" Dynasty) till their overthrow by the Mongols. The Jurchens originated the pigtail fashion, which was at first a badge of servitude, but which after 1627 became an honourable national trait amongst the Chinese, though never adopted either by their Manchu or Mongol rulers. Specimens of the Jurchen language are preserved in the collections prepared for the use of the Interpreters' College, Pekin, where it appears to have been studied till the year 1658.