Zakhchin is a subgroup of the Oirats

Oirats

Oirats are the westernmost group of the Mongols who unified several tribes origin whose ancestral home is in the Altai region of western Mongolia. Although the Oirats originated in the eastern parts of Central Asia, the most prominent group today is located in the Republic of Kalmykia, a federal...

 residing in Khovd Province, 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...

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Zakhchin means 'Border people'. They are so called because they are originated form the border garrison (mainly from Torghud, Dörbet, Ööld) of Dzungar Empire. They originally speak the Zakhchin dialect of the Oirat language

Oirat language

Oirat belongs to the group of Mongolic languages. Scholars differ as to whether Oirat is a distinct language or a major dialect of the Mongolian language...

, but actually pure Oirat language is used by elder generations, younger generations use a dialect being under a strong Khalkh influence.

History

The Zakhchin were conquered by Manchus in 1754 and controlled by Zasagt Khan aimag's Tsevdenjav gün, then moved to Zereg and Shar Khulsan. One khoshuu with 4(+1) sums were designated for them and noble Maamad zaisan became the chieftain.

The sums were:

• Bichgiin meeren's sum (in modern Mankhan, Khovd province)
• Güüj zan's sum (in modern Altai and part of Must, Khovd province)
• Baljinnyam zahiragch sum (in modern Zereg and parts of Mankhan in Khovd province)
• Jantsandorj's sum or Hoit (North) sum (in modern Mankhan, Khovd province)
• Guniikhen (in modern Uyench, Khovd province)

Administrative center was in Hoit sum's Tögrög Hüree.

During Bogd Khaanate Mongolia, Zakhchin was subject to Dörbet Ünen Zorigt Khan aimag. The south khoshuu is called goviinkhon (people of Gobi), while the north is called shiliinkhen (people of mountain range).

Clans

Zakhchin has 16 tamga (seal) and 30 clans . Some of them are:

• Donjooniikhon
• Damjaaniikhan
• Shurdaankhan
• Baykhiinkhan
• Emchiinkhen
• Khereid
• Tsagaan Yas
• Aatiinkhan
• Dumiyenkhen
• Burd Tariachin
• Adsagiinkhan
• Tavagzaaniikhan
• Nokhoikhon
• Khotonguud
• Khurmshtiinkhan
• Mukhlainkhan

Famous Zakhchins in modern Mongolia

• Esen taishi, was only non-Altan Urag
  Altan Urag
  Altan Urag is a Mongolian folk rock band. Formed in 2002, the band's musical style combines traditional Mongolian and contemporary influences....
  
   khan of Mongolian Khanate
• Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who is current President of Mongolia
  President of Mongolia
  The President of Mongolia is the head of state of Mongolia. The Constitution of Mongolia implements a parliamentary system, so while much of the President's role is ceremonial, he or she does wield significant political power.-Election:...
  
  
• Damdingiin Demberel, who is current speaker of State Parliament
• Rinchinnyamyn Amarjargal
  Rinchinnyamyn Amarjargal
  Rinchinnyam Amarjargal was Prime Minister of Mongolia from July 30, 1999 to July 26, 2000. He is a leading member of the Democratic Party.- Early years and education :Amarjargal was born in Ulaanbaatar in 1961...
  
  , who is former Prime Minister of Mongolia
  Prime Minister of Mongolia
  The Prime Minister of Mongolia is the highest member of the Mongolian government's executive arm, and heads the Mongolian cabinet. The Prime Minister is appointed by Parliament, and can be removed by a vote of no confidence.-Powers:...
  
  
• Chimediin Saikhanbileg, who is former Education minister
• Gombosurengiin Munkhbayar, who is current Mayor of Ulaanbaatar
  Ulaanbaatar
  Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million....
  
  city