Torghut
Encyclopedia
The Torgut are one of the four major subgroups of the Four Oirats
. The Torghut ruling dynasty traced its descent to the Kereit ruler Wang Khan
's bodyguards.
They might be kheshig
s of the Great khans before Kublai khan
. The Torgud clan first appear as an Oirat tribe in the middle 16th century. After the collapse of the Four Oirat Alliance, A bulk of Torghuts under Kho Orluk
separated from other Oirats and moved west to Volga in 1630, forming the core of the Kalmyks. A few Torghut nobles followed Toro Baikhu Guushi Khan into Koke Nuur, becoming part of the Upper Mongols
. In 1698, 500 Torghuds went on pilgirimage to Tibet
but were unable to return. Hence, they were resettled in Ejen by Kangxi Emperor
of the Qing Dynasty
. In 1699 15,000 Torghud households returned from Volga to Zungaria where they joined the Khoits. After the fall of the Zungars, one of their princes, Taiji
Shyiren, fled to Volga region with 10,000 families in 1758. The name probably originates from the Mongolian language word "torog" meaning "silk."
Due to harsh pressures of Russia
n governors, most of Torguts migrated back to Dzungaria
and western Mongolia
, departing en masse on January 5, 1771. While the first phase of their movement became the Old Torguts, the Qing called the late Torgud immigrants "New Torguts". The size of the departing group has been variously estimated at 150,000 to 400,000 people, with perhaps as many as six million animals (cattle, sheep, horses, camels and dogs).. Beset by raids, thirst and starvation, approximately 85,000 survivors made it to Dzungaria
, where they settled near the Ejin River
with the permission of the Manchu Emperor.
However, a group of around 70,000 Torguts were left behind in Russia, since (according to legend) the Volga River
was not frozen and they could not cross it to join their comrades. This group became known as the Kalmyk
, or "remnant", although the name may predate these events. However, the Muslims called the Oirats as Qalmyc before. In any case, the remnant were quite successful, doubling their numbers by 1930. The Torghud-Kalmyk archers under Russian notable general Mikhail Kutuzov clashed with the French
army of legendary Napoleon in 1812. In 1906, the Qing put western Mongolia
's New Torghuds under the Altai district. One New Torghud prince opposed independence in Mongolia and fled to Xinjiang in 1911-12. However, the others were reincorporated into Mongolia's Khovd Province.
Torghut Mongol forces assisted the Russians in the Soviet Invasion of Xinjiang
.
Torghut descendants number more than 150,000 in Xinjiang
, China
and more than 10,000 in Khovd Province, Mongolia. There are around 170,000 Kalmyks in Russia
.
Four Oirats
The Four Oirats or the Alliance of the Four Oirat tribes was the confederation of the Oirat tribes, which marked the rise of the Western Mongols in Mongolian history.Despite the universal currency of the term Four Oirats among Eastern Mongols and Oirats and numerous explanations by...
. The Torghut ruling dynasty traced its descent to the Kereit ruler Wang Khan
Wang Khan
Wang Khan, also Ong Khan, was the title given to the Kerait ruler Toghrul by the Jurchen Jin Dynasty of China. Like the rest of their tribe he may have been Nestorian Christian...
's bodyguards.
They might be kheshig
Kheshig
Kheshig were the imperial guard for Mongol royalty in the Mongol Empire, particularly for the rulers like the Genghis Khan and his wife Borte. Their primary purpose was as a body guard for the emperors and rulers and to protect them during the day and night...
s of the Great khans before Kublai khan
Kublai Khan
Kublai Khan , born Kublai and also known by the temple name Shizu , was the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from 1260 to 1294 and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China...
. The Torgud clan first appear as an Oirat tribe in the middle 16th century. After the collapse of the Four Oirat Alliance, A bulk of Torghuts under Kho Orluk
Kho Orluk
Kho Orluk , was an Oirat prince and Tayishi of the Torghut-Oirat tribe. Around 1616, Kho Orluk persuaded the other Torghut princes and lesser nobility to move their tribe en masse westward through southern Siberia and southward along the Emba River to the grass steppes north of the Russian garrison...
separated from other Oirats and moved west to Volga in 1630, forming the core of the Kalmyks. A few Torghut nobles followed Toro Baikhu Guushi Khan into Koke Nuur, becoming part of the Upper Mongols
Upper Mongols
The Upper Mongols , also known as the Köke Nuur Mongols or Qinghai Mongols are the Mongol people of Oirat and Khalkha origin who settled around the Qinghai Lake...
. In 1698, 500 Torghuds went on pilgirimage to Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
but were unable to return. Hence, they were resettled in Ejen by Kangxi Emperor
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor ; Manchu: elhe taifin hūwangdi ; Mongolian: Энх-Амгалан хаан, 4 May 1654 –20 December 1722) was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.Kangxi's...
of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. In 1699 15,000 Torghud households returned from Volga to Zungaria where they joined the Khoits. After the fall of the Zungars, one of their princes, Taiji
Taiji
Taiji 太極 is a Chinese cosmological term for the "Supreme Ultimate" state of undifferentiated absolute and infinite potentiality, contrasted with the Wuji 無極 "Without Ultimate"...
Shyiren, fled to Volga region with 10,000 families in 1758. The name probably originates from the Mongolian language word "torog" meaning "silk."
Due to harsh pressures of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n governors, most of Torguts migrated back to Dzungaria
Dzungaria
Dzungaria, also called Zungaria, is a geographical region in northwest China corresponding to the northern half of Xinjiang. It covers approximately , lying mostly within Xinjiang, and extending into western Mongolia and eastern Kazakhstan...
and western Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
, departing en masse on January 5, 1771. While the first phase of their movement became the Old Torguts, the Qing called the late Torgud immigrants "New Torguts". The size of the departing group has been variously estimated at 150,000 to 400,000 people, with perhaps as many as six million animals (cattle, sheep, horses, camels and dogs).. Beset by raids, thirst and starvation, approximately 85,000 survivors made it to Dzungaria
Dzungaria
Dzungaria, also called Zungaria, is a geographical region in northwest China corresponding to the northern half of Xinjiang. It covers approximately , lying mostly within Xinjiang, and extending into western Mongolia and eastern Kazakhstan...
, where they settled near the Ejin River
Ejin River
The Ejin River , also known as the Heihe River , is a major river system that originates on the northern Gansu side of the Qilian Shan mountains...
with the permission of the Manchu Emperor.
However, a group of around 70,000 Torguts were left behind in Russia, since (according to legend) the Volga River
Volga River
The Volga is the largest river in Europe in terms of length, discharge, and watershed. It flows through central Russia, and is widely viewed as the national river of Russia. Out of the twenty largest cities of Russia, eleven, including the capital Moscow, are situated in the Volga's drainage...
was not frozen and they could not cross it to join their comrades. This group became known as the Kalmyk
Kalmyk people
Kalmyk people is the name given to the Oirats, western Mongols in Russia, whose descendants migrated from Dzhungaria in 1607. Today they form a majority in the autonomous Republic of Kalmykia on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. Kalmykia is Europe's only Buddhist government...
, or "remnant", although the name may predate these events. However, the Muslims called the Oirats as Qalmyc before. In any case, the remnant were quite successful, doubling their numbers by 1930. The Torghud-Kalmyk archers under Russian notable general Mikhail Kutuzov clashed with the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
army of legendary Napoleon in 1812. In 1906, the Qing put western Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
's New Torghuds under the Altai district. One New Torghud prince opposed independence in Mongolia and fled to Xinjiang in 1911-12. However, the others were reincorporated into Mongolia's Khovd Province.
Torghut Mongol forces assisted the Russians in the Soviet Invasion of Xinjiang
Soviet Invasion of Xinjiang
The Soviet invasion of Xinjiang was a military campaign in the Chinese northwestern region of Xinjiang in 1934. White Russian forces assisted the Soviet Red Army.- Background :...
.
Torghut descendants number more than 150,000 in Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and more than 10,000 in Khovd Province, Mongolia. There are around 170,000 Kalmyks in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
Modern Notable Torguts in Mongolia
- Shiileg, a hero of the Mongolia
- Badam, a hero of the Mongolia
- Purevjal, a famous singer in Mongolia
- Luvsan, a labor hero of the Mongolia
- Otgontsagaan, a labor hero of the Mongolia
- Batlai, a labor hero of the Mongolia
- Tuvshin, a labor hero of the Mongolia
- Baadai, a labor hero of the Mongolia