The Qing Dynasty was dynasty with largest territory in ancient China. From founding of Jin in 1616 to defeat of Dzungars in 1757, Qing Dynasty built a large empire covering 13 million square kilometers. The expansion of Qing dynasty went through three stages: in first stage, Nurhaci and Huang Taiji unified Northeast Region, conquered Korea in east, and conquered Monan Mongolia in west; Zhonghe Hongguang, Yongli and other southern Ming regimes pacified San Francisco uprising and unification of Taiwan, third stage - with signing of "Nerchinsk Treaty" with Russia in 1689, almost a 100-year war with Dzungaria, Mongolia, Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang were included in territory. The war between Qing Dynasty and Dzungars was one of most epic territorial wars in world. This article presents this war from context of historical development.

1. Galdan's defeat: he met an even more powerful Kangxi

After collapse of Mongol Empire, headquarters gradually split into three parts, namely: Mobei Khalkha Mongolia (Outer Mongolia), Monan Mongolia (Inner Mongolia) and Moxy Oirat Mongolia. Among them, Oirat Mongolia, called Oala in historical records of Ming Dynasty, was very powerful in Ming Yingzong period, defeated 500,000-strong Ming army at Battle of Tumubao, and captured Ming Yingzong. At end of Ming Dynasty, Monan Mongolia became stronger and Oirats were forced to move west, so it became known as Moxy Mongolia. There are four main tribes in Oirat Mongolia: Dzungars, Kheshuota, Turkhut and Durbert, among which Kheshuota is its leader.

In 1635, Huang Taiji defeated Lindan Khan of Monan Mongolia, received Jade Seal of Mongolian Golden Family, and ascended throne of Great Mongol Khan. Since then, all Mongolian tribes have declared submission to Qing dynasty, including Dzungars and Heshuote tribe. After that, Dzungar tribe quickly strengthened: in 1675, its leader Galdan defeated leader of union, Okyer Tukhan, and then in 1678 officially established Dzungar Khanate. The emergence of Dzungar Khanate had a huge impact on structure of Central Asia and East Asia. Under yoke of Dzungars, Turkhut tribe was forced to move west to Volga, and Heshuote tribe moved east to join Qing dynasty. . Dzungar was in collusion with Russia for a long time, fought against Kazakh Khanate in west and fought for land against Qing dynasty in east.

The Eurasian continent is currently entering golden age of staking. The Qing Dynasty and Russia engaged in most heroic competition for territorial expansion in human history. In 1657, Russia expanded its territory to Pacific coast, and then continued to expand into Mongolia, Central Asia and Western regions. The Qing dynasty also completed unification of Han region at end of 17th century. Since then, rivalry between two sides has become public. In 1688, Kangxi defeated Russians at Battle of Yaks and forced Russians to negotiate a border between two countries. However, during negotiating process, Galdan took opportunity to send troops to occupy Khalkha-Mongol territory, causing Khalkha-Mongol Mongol army, which resisted Russia, to retreat, causing Tsarist Russia to occupy territory east of Lake Baikal. This sudden situation forced Qing dynasty to make concessions in the negotiations.

In 1689, Qing dynasty and Russia signed Treaty of Nerchinsk, and then Kangxi was able to untie his hands to punish Galdan. However, after Galdan sent troops to Khalkha Mongolia, rear was divided. As a result of Galdan's attack, Tsevang Arabtan became independent. Galdan was unable to defeat Tsevangarabutan, so he tried to expand to east. In 1689, Galdan led a large army and marched straight ahead, traveling thousands of miles from western regions to fight against Qing Dynasty. This incident thoroughly angered Kangxi, who immediately prepared for a full-scale war and negotiated with Russia, demanding non-intervention from her. Subsequently, Kangxi personally led a 100,000-strong army to attack Galdan in five ways, and both sides fought at Ulan-Buton. Eventually, heavy artillery of Qing Dynasty captured Galdan and created "Camel City", but Galdan failed.

Map of Battle of Ulan-Buton

In Battle of Ulan Butong, Galdan is badly wounded. After that, Chewang Alabatan also led an army to attack Galdan from rear, and Galdan was attacked from both sides. In 1695 Galdan again sent troops to Khalkha Mongolia and Kangxi again led his own conquest. In this battle, Gerdan's 30,000 cavalry was no match for Kangxi's 200,000, and Tsewang Arabutan also took opportunity to capture Hami, cutting his way. Galdan eventually committed suicide by taking poison in March 1697. Gerdan is one of most famous figures in Mongolian history. His goal is to create a single yellow Mongolian country. Unfortunately, he met an even more powerful Kangxi.

Two, second round of competition: from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to Mongolian Plateau

After Gerdan's death, Tsevang Alabatan (Tsevang for short) became Great Khan of Dzungar Khanate. He expressed his surrender to Kangxi, and both sides made a temporary peace. At this time, Dzungar Khanate began to attack Kazakh Khanate. In 1699, Dzungar defeated Kazakh Khanate and divided it into three khanates: Dayuz, Middle Yuzi and Small Yuzi, all of which surrendered to Dzungar. At same time, Chewang again sent troops to fight Russia, which stalled Russian expansion into Central Asia for a while. The Zhungir Khanate reached its peak during this period, but it simply angered Kangxi again.

Kangxi

It should start with Tibet. Tibet is holy land of Yellow Sect, and Galdan officially founded khanate only through canonization of a lama. In 1642, Heshuot Khanate of Qinghai invaded Tibet and united entire Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The Heshuot Khanate also belonged to Oirat Mongolia, but its leader announced his surrender to Qing dynasty. In 1707, Chewang secretly supported Sangye Gyatso in Tibet to raise a rebellion against Heshuote Khanate, but was suppressed by Heshuote Khan and failed. In 1717, Sewang sent Taiji Dace Lindong Duoba to lead 6,000 soldiers from Ili to capture Lhasa and destroy Heshuote Khanate. Then, in 1718, Qing dynasty also sent troops to Tibet and was defeated by Seling Dongduobu. In 1720, Kangxi sent another tripartite army on a campaign and finally drove Dzungar troops out of Tibet. After that, Kangxi Emperor ordered troops stationed in Khalkha region to attack Dzungar, fully entered Urumqi and settled in Turfan. At this time, Kazakh Khanate also began to attack Dzungar, facing siege from all sides, preparing for worst and preparing to flee to Russia.

Early Kangxi area

At a critical moment, Kangxi died, and then troops stationed in western regions of Tibet retreated one by one. In 1722, Yongzheng succeeded to throne and Yongzheng imposed a lifetime ban on General Yinti and carried out a widespread purge that led to decline of military in early Yongzheng period. Thereafter, Xie Wang regained his strength and supported Luo Bu Zang Danjin to start a rebellion in Qinghai in 1723, but it was quickly put down by Qing Dynasty. In 1724, Yongzheng appointed Xining Minister of Affairs in Qinghai, and then appointed Minister of Affairs of Lhasa in 1728, making Qinghai-Tibet a territory of Qing Dynasty. Shortly after Kangxi's death, Xie Wang also died in 1727. After his son Galdan Selin succeeded to throne, war between Qing and Dzungars also shifted again from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to Mobei.

The territory of empire during Kangxi period

From 1729 to 1734, there were four large-scale confrontations at Mobei between Yongzheng and Galdan Seling, namely Battle of Keshetu, Battle of Tongbo, Battle of Eden Chul, and Battle of Guang at Xianxi. In previous battles, both sides won and lost to each other and were at a standstill, but Battle of Guangxian Temple became decisive battle between two sides. In 1732, Galdans led 30,000 soldiers around Qing army garrison and directly attacked Khalkha Mongolia. After Qing army learned of this news, they raided Galdan Seling's camp and both sides fought, and finally Galdan Seling was defeated. After this battle, Dzungars and Qing Dynasty entered into a peace agreement. Both sides signed a peace agreement in 1734 that would limit two empires to Mount Mobei Hangai, Qing dynasty to east and Dzungar to east. West.

Secondly, final collapse of Dzungar Khanate

After signing of peace agreement, both sides lived in peace for 30 years. In 1745, Galdan Tseling died, and his son Tsevanduodzhina Muzal, first weak king in history of Dzungar Khanate, ascended throne. During his reign, he absurdly ignored state affairs and caused civil strife in Dzungar, which lasted a long time and greatly undermined vitality of khanate. At this time, Russia is also trying to liquidate Dzhungar and annex it, and Kazakhs are also sharpening knives, ready to take a share. If Qing dynasty does not act again, Dzungar will be occupied by Russia.

In 1754, Amursana encouraged over 20,000 people to defect to Qing Dynasty. Qianlong believed that time had come to destroy Dzungar Khanate, so he decided to send troops to western regions. In 1755, Qianlong mobilized 50,000 soldiers to attack Dzungar in two ways. Departing along way from Uliasutai, because of long-standing hand-to-hand combat in Dzhungar, all large local tribes hoped that Qing army would be able to achieve peace in region, so they surrendered one by one. Soon Dzungar Khanate announced its death.

Qianlong

After fall of Dzungar Khanate, Qing Dynasty initially decided to divide Dzungar Khanate into four parts, and Amur Sana, who surrendered to Qing Dynasty, was also one of them. However, then Amur Sana tried to unite Dzungars and restore Dzungar Khanate. After Qianlong Emperor learned of this, he again entrusted four major khanates and prepared for a second expedition to western regions. In 1757, Qing army again attacked Ili, and tribes of Amur san rebelled one by one and surrendered to Qing dynasty. So Qing army easily occupied Ili, and Amursana fled to Russia.

The whole map of war between Qing Dynasty and Dzungars

After decline of Dzungars, southern region of Xinjiang was still not part of territory of Qing Dynasty. The southern region of Xinjiang was originally land of Chagatai Khanate, but was later replaced by Yarkand Khanate. In later period of Yarkand Khanate, there were two main religious forces in country, namely Black Mountain sect and White Mountain sect, and their leaders were called "hezhuo". In 1680, with support of Galdan, Baishan faction drove out Heishan faction and achieved religious control over Yarkand. After 1692, internal unrest in Yarkand Khanate continued, and Dzungar Khanate took opportunity to annex Yarkand Khanate and imprisoned Dahe Zhuoboronida and Zhuoho from Baishan school. The Qing Dynasty only destroyed Dzungar Khanate, and Zhuo and Zhuo were released and expressed their surrender to Qing Dynasty. However, Daxi and Zhuo rebelled against Qing dynasty after returning to southern Xinjiang. In 1757, Qing army began to move into southern Xinjiang to put down rebellion. By 1759, Size and Zhuo Rebellion had been crushed, and southern Xinjiang was incorporated into Qing Dynasty.

Ping size and Zhuo

The appeasement of Daxi and Zhuo was last battle in Qing Dynasty's war for unification of China, which returned Southern Tien Shan Route to Chinese territory. After western regions were pacified, Qianlong changed its name to "Xinjiang", meaning "homecoming". In 1762, Qing Dynasty formally appointed General Yi in Xinjiang and carried out certain land reforms.. Since then, Kazakh, Kokand, Bukhara, Andijan, Badakhshan, Ayukhan (Afghanistan), Bollor, Ganjut (Kanzhut) and other tribes belonged to China. Central Asia was included in sphere of influence of Qing dynasty.

Map of Qing Dynasty