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Mapping Hejing County: Tracing Historical Routes and Settlements


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Authors

Bulag, Uradyn E. 
Fuerwa, Dorjraa 

Abstract

In this video, Münkhe delves into his research on the map of the Jungar Khanate, Torghut Khanate, and its significance for understanding the historical landscape of the region. The earliest map of Hejing County dates to the Daoguang era (1782–1850) and is currently housed in the Museum of Hejing. During this period, Liu Jintang, serving as a provincial governor(巡抚) dispatched to Xinjiang, mandated the creation of maps for each region in southern Xinjiang. Notably, Zhang Qiyu assisted Liu Jintang in mapping most regions in Xinjiang, including eight cities in the south. Once completed, Liu Jintang circulated the maps for review to ensure place names aligned with regional minority languages. The final map featured 152 place names in minority languages, now accessible for public reference. In the republican era, another map of Hejing was produced, adding approximately 22 place names. This map encompassed all locations within Hejing County, mirroring the scale established by the Torghuts following their migration from the Volga region to Xinjiang. The Torghuts’ southern migration route was divided into four banners: Khan, East, Middle, and West. However, due to the Dungan rebellion (1862–1877), the Torghuts of Bayangol fled to regions such as Khovdo and Uliyastai, significantly reducing Bayangol’s population. Following the rebellion's conclusion, Buyantsogt Khan of Bayangol convened the displaced Torghuts and resettled them in Hejing County. Additionally, he relocated other Torghuts from his four banners to cultivate land in Khar Modon, Baruun Khar Modon, and the Haidag River basin to support these impoverished Torghuts. For instance, each banner was tasked with digging channels to divert water from the river, a practice that continued to develop during the Republican era. Senchin Gegen, the uncle of Manchugjav Khan, expanded these channels and cultivated extensive lands during this period. Before 1731, a notable map with over 240 Mongolian names emerged, confirming its association with the Jungar Khanate. This map intricately detailed the towns and regions of southern Xinjiang, reflecting the taxation system where Uyghurs paid taxes to the Jungar Khanate. Notably, regions from Lake Balkhash to the contemporary capital city of Kazakhstan bore Mongolian names, shedding light on the historical linguistic landscape of the area. Further insights are gleaned from the “Bag Satsliin Bichig” of the Ili region, a significant script used in the Oboo ritual. This script meticulously records Mongolian place names from Altai to Ili, providing crucial evidence for correcting modern Kazakh and Chinese names. Another valuable map, seized from a Manchu military officer during the Manchu-Turpan war, also displays Mongolian names of the Jungar regions, offering additional historical context to the region. Münkhe’s research also uncovered two new Torghut maps from Taiwan, including one depicting the eastern banner of Bayangol and another showcasing the Beis Banner. Additionally, Zaya Pandita’s “Sarni Gerel Gemeh Orshiv” script features approximately 200 Mongolian places’ names, adding another layer of historical insight to the region’s cartography.

Description

Keywords

Historical Maps, Jungar Region, Torghuts, Bayangol

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Publisher

Kalmyk Cultural Heritage Documentation Project, University of Cambridge

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Sponsorship
Sponsored by Arcadia Fund, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.