Dzungar Khanate

Quick Facts: Who was Dzungar Khanate?

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Dzungar Khanate

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The last nomadic empire of Oirat origin, dominating Dzungaria from the 17th to 18th centuries.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Dzungar Khanate, also known as the Zunghar Khanate or Junggar Khanate was the last nomadic empire of Oirat origin. At its greatest extent, it covered an area from southern Siberia in the north to Tibet in the south, and from present-day west of Mongolia and the Great Wall of China in the east to present-day Kazakhstan in the west. The core of the Dzungar Khanate is today part of northern Xinjiang, also called Dzungaria. In about 1620, the western Mongols, known as the Oirats, united in the Junggar Basin in Dzungaria. In 1678, Galdan received from the Dalai Lama the title of Boshogtu Khan, making the Dzungars the leading tribe within the Oirats.

Career & Major Achievements

The Dzungar rulers used the title of Khong Tayiji, which translates into English as "crown prince". Between 1680 and 1688, the Dzungars conquered the Tarim Basin, which is now southern Xinjiang, and defeated the Khalkha Mongols to the east. In 1696, Galdan was defeated by the Qing dynasty and lost Outer Mongolia. In 1717, the Dzungars conquered Tibet, but were driven out in 1720 by the Qing. From 1755 to 1758, Qing dynasty took advantage of a Dzungar civil war to conquer Dzungaria and wipe out the Dzungar people.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The defeat of the Dzungars led to the Qing conquest of Mongolia, Tibet, and the creation of Xinjiang as a political administrative unit. "Dzungar" is a compound of the Mongolian word jegün (züün), meaning "left" or "east" and γar meaning "hand" or "wing". It was also referred as Western Mongolia, in contrast to the Northern Yuan in the east. The region was separately described in contemporary European sources as the Kingdom of the Eleuths, from an infelicitous transcription of the name "Oirats" by French missionaries. The Oirats were originally from the forested region of northwestern Mongolia, where they lived during the early 13th century.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1620: 1620 Milestone — In about 1620, the western Mongols, known as the Oirats, united in the Junggar Basin in Dzungaria.
2. 1678: 1678 Milestone — In 1678, Galdan received from the Dalai Lama the title of Boshogtu Khan, making the Dzungars the leading tribe within the Oirats.
3. 1680: 1680 Milestone — Between 1680 and 1688, the Dzungars conquered the Tarim Basin, which is now southern Xinjiang, and defeated the Khalkha Mongols to the east.
4. 1696: 1696 Milestone — In 1696, Galdan was defeated by the Qing dynasty and lost Outer Mongolia.
5. 1717: 1717 Milestone — In 1717, the Dzungars conquered Tibet, but were driven out in 1720 by the Qing.
6. 1755: 1755 Milestone — From 1755 to 1758, Qing dynasty took advantage of a Dzungar civil war to conquer Dzungaria and wipe out the Dzungar people.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dzungar Khanate

True or False: “The Dzungar Khanate's territory at its greatest extent included areas reaching as far west as modern-day Kazakhstan.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The empire covered an area from southern Siberia in the north to Tibet in the south, and from present-day west of Mongolia... to present-day Kazakhstan in the west.

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