Dzungar genocide

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Dzungar genocide

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The mass extermination of the Oirat Mongol Dzungar people by the Qing dynasty (1755–1758).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Dzungar genocide (Chinese: 準噶爾滅族; pinyin: Zhǔngáěr mièzú) was the mass extermination of the Dzungar people, a confederation of Oirat Mongol tribes, by the Qing dynasty. The Qianlong Emperor ordered the genocide after the rebellion in 1755 by Dzungar leader Amursana against Qing rule, after the dynasty first conquered the Dzungar Khanate with Amursana's support. The genocide was perpetrated by Manchu, Han, and Khalkha Mongol troops of the Qing army, supported by Turkic oasis dwellers of Altishahr, now known as Uyghurs, who rebelled against Dzungar rule. The Dzungar Khanate was a confederation of several Tibetan Buddhist Oirat Mongol tribes that emerged in the early 17th century, and the last great nomadic empire in Asia. Some scholars estimate that about 70–80% of the Dzungar population, or around 420,000 to 480,000 people(with other estimates putting it at 600,000 to as high as 800,000), were killed by a combination of warfare and disease during or after the Qing conquest in 1755–1757.

Career & Major Achievements

After wiping out the native population of Dzungaria, the Qing government then resettled Han, Hui, Uyghur, and Sibe people on state farms in Dzungaria, along with Manchu Bannermen, to repopulate the area. The Qing dynasty went to war against the Dzungars in the Dzungar–Qing War. The Dzungars lived in the area stretching from the west end of the Great Wall of China to present-day eastern Kazakhstan and from present-day northern Kyrgyzstan to southern Siberia (most of which is located in present-day Xinjiang). They were the last nomadic empire to threaten China, which they did from the early 17th century through the middle of the 18th century. During this time, the Dzungar pioneered the local manifestation of the ‘Military Revolution’ in Central Eurasia after perfecting a process of manufacturing indigenously created gunpowder weapons.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

They also created a mixed agro-pastoral economy, as well as complementary mining and manufacturing industries on their lands. Additionally, the Dzungar managed to enact an empire-wide system of laws and policies to boost the use of the Oirat language in the region. After a series of inconclusive military conflicts that started in the 1680s, the Dzungars were subjugated by the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1644–1911) in the late 1750s. Michael Clarke argued that the Qing campaign in 1757–58 "amounted to the complete destruction of not only the Zunghar state, but of the Zunghars as a people". After the Qianlong Emperor led Qing forces to victory over the Dzungars in 1755, he originally planned to split the Dzungar Khanate into four tribes headed by four Khans, the Khoit tribe was to have the Dzungar leader Amursana as its Khan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1644: 1644 Milestone — After a series of inconclusive military conflicts that started in the 1680s, the Dzungars were subjugated by the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1644–1911) in the late 1750s.
2. 1755: 1755 Milestone — The Qianlong Emperor ordered the genocide after the rebellion in 1755 by Dzungar leader Amursana against Qing rule, after the dynasty first conquered the Dzungar Khanate with Amursana's support.
3. 1757: 1757 Milestone — Michael Clarke argued that the Qing campaign in 1757–58 "amounted to the complete destruction of not only the Zunghar state, but of the Zunghars as a people".

Notable Quotes by Dzungar genocide

“to sweep away barbarians is the way to bring stability to the interior”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dzungar genocide

True or False: “The Dzungar people were solely composed of Oirat Mongol tribes.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While primarily Oirat Mongol, the Dzungar Khanate was a confederation that also included other elements and faced resistance from various groups.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Dzungar genocide