Galdan: From the Living Buddha to the Great Khan of Dzungaria
Author: Wen Reading History (I hope you will support and pay more attention to Wen Reading History)
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In the vast history of the Mongolian Plateau, there is a figure who has left a deep mark on his legendary life and complex identity, and he is Galdan. From being recognized as a Buddhist "reincarnated spirit child" to becoming the head of the Dzungar tribe to the fierce confrontation with the Qing Dynasty, Galdan's life is full of legends. This article will be titled "Galdan: From Living Child to Dzungar Great Khan", detailing his upbringing, political and military activities, and influence on later generations.
First, the spirit child came into the world, and the Buddha has a deep relationship
Galdan, whose full name is Gulos Galdan, was born into a prominent family, the Khiros family. The family has a long history, and there have been celebrities such as Yasen, who created the "Tsukijo Change". The birth of Galdan was endowed with a strong religious color.
In 1643, the living Buddha Wensar III, a senior monk of the Gelug sect of Tibet, preached Buddhism in the Dzungar tribe and was highly trusted by the local leaders and people. When Winsa III was about to return to Lhasa, Kaldan's mother, Yum Hagasi, stopped his horse's head and begged the Living Buddha to give her a son. At the pious request of her mother, Winsa III agreed to be her son in the afterlife. Soon after, Vinsa III passed away, and Yumhagarth gave birth to Galdan a year later. Lhasa quickly confirmed the identity of Galdan's reincarnated spirit boy and canonized him as the "Wensar IV" Living Buddha.
This status not only gave Galdan a high religious status, but also laid a solid foundation for his later political career. In Lhasa, Galdan received rigorous Buddhist education and martial arts training, studying under the 4th Panchen Lama and the 5th Dalai Lama, where he developed both civil and military skills. This experience not only gave him a deeper understanding of Buddhism, but also cultivated his tenacity and leadership skills.
2. Inherit the family business and unify Oirat
In 1656, Galdan returned to Dzungaria, just as the family was strife. His elder brother, Sang, became a leader after quelling the rebellion, but was assassinated soon after. With the consent of the Fifth Dalai Lama, Galdan returned to China and, with the assistance of the Ozirtu Chechen Khan, the leader of the Hoshut and the leader of the Oirat League, captured and killed the rebel leader and stabilized the situation. In 1671, Galdan established himself as Dzungar Khan and began his path to unification.
Galdan first unified the Western Mongol tribes, and then raised troops to attack the Black Mountain faction in Yarkand and the Baishan faction in Kashgar, conquering the Chagatai Khanate. He also conquered the Chagatai Khan of the Turpan Khanate in 1681, further consolidating the Dzungar sphere of influence. Under Galdan's leadership, the Dzungar tribe gradually transformed from a loose tribal confederation into a powerful khanate.
The Galdan issued a series of decrees that abolished the power and traditional titles of the tribal chiefs and concentrated power in their own hands. He completed the transition from a union system to state power by strengthening the Otok organization and decentralizing the power of the tribal chiefs. Kaldan's rule not only consolidated the internal unity of the Dzungar tribe, but also laid the foundation for its future expansion.
3. Expansion to the east and confrontation with the Qing Dynasty
After unifying the Oirat tribes, Galdan's ambitions did not stop. He aspired to unify the Mongol tribes and achieve greater hegemony. However, at this time, he faced a threat from the Qing Dynasty. As the ruler of the Central Plains, the Qing Dynasty had a deep influence on the Mongolian region. In order to realize his expansion plans, Galdan had to confront the Qing Dynasty.
In 1688, Galdan personally led a large army to the east and soon occupied the Mobei region. In the name of Tushetu Khan's disrespect for the Dalai Lama, he launched a large-scale attack on the Khalkha Mongol Tushetu Khan. However, the Mongol princes did not buy him, and they believed in another living Buddha who was supported by the Qing court. Galdan's attack met with stubborn resistance from the Mongol princes, but with his strong military strength, he still occupied the Mobei region.
Kaldan's expansion caused alarm in the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Kangxi decided to personally lead an army to conquer Galdan. In 1690, a fierce battle broke out between the two sides at Ulan Butong. The Qing army, armed with heavy artillery, defeated Galdan's "camel city" tactics. Although Galdan fought valiantly, he was ultimately defeated by the well-armed Qing army. This battle became a turning point in his confrontation with the Qing Dynasty.
Fourth, internal strife, the decline of the country
At the same time as the external expansion, there were also undercurrents within the Dzungar Khanate of Kaldan. His nephew, Arabutan, grew into a powerful leader. According to Dzungar law, Arabutan should be the rightful heir to the throne of chief. In order to avoid the loss of power, Galdan gradually suppressed the conspiracy Alabutan. However, his suspicion and cruelty eventually led to a split within the family.
In 1688, Galdan assassinated his younger brother Sonob Arabutan, which made him feel that his safety was not guaranteed. He led 5,000 troops to flee to the area of the Bortala River to recuperate, and took advantage of the war between Galdan and the Qing Dynasty to control the entire area from the upper reaches of the Irtysh River in the north to Ubusu Lake in the east, including the vast territory of Xinjiang such as Turpan and Kucha.
After the defeat in the Battle of Ulan Butong, Galdan did not give up his attack on the Qing Dynasty. In 1695, he again led his army into the Khalkha Mongols. However, this time he encountered an even more formidable enemy, the 100,000-strong army led by Emperor Kangxi himself. A fierce battle ensued between the two sides at Chaomodo, and Galdan's eldest concubine Anu was killed in the battle. His 30,000 cavalry could not withstand the Qing Dynasty's 200,000 army, and he was finally defeated.
Fifth, there is no way out, and the sad end
After the Battle of Chaomodo, Galdan's power was greatly damaged. He faced a double attack from the Qing Dynasty and the conspiracy of Alabutan. A year after his escape, on March 13, 1697, Galdan committed suicide by poisoning (also said to have been killed) in Acha'a Mutata, Altai. His death marked the decline of the Dzungar Khanate and further Qing control of the Mongol region.
Galdan's life is full of legends. He grew from a child identified as a Buddhist "reincarnated spirit child" to a powerful tribal leader and Great Khan of the Khanate. His military prowess and political skill enabled him to unify the Oirat tribes and expand his sphere of influence in a short period of time. However, his lack of strategic vision and extreme thirst for power ultimately led to his defeat and death.
6. Influence and reflection of later generations
Although Galdan's death put an end to his legendary career, his place in Mongolian history cannot be overlooked. His expansionist actions and confrontation with the Qing dynasty had a profound impact on the political landscape of the Mongol region. His failure also provides us with a profound reflection: a leader must keep a clear head and a long-term vision in the pursuit of power and expansion of power. Otherwise, no matter how powerful the military force and the most clever political skill are, it will be difficult to escape the fate of defeat.
In addition, Galdan's life reflects the complex relationship between religion and politics. He was both a living Buddha of Buddhism and the head of the Dzungar tribe, and this dual status gave him more resources and means in political struggles. However, religious beliefs and the desire for power often produced conflicts and contradictions, which also laid the groundwork for his future failures.
To sum up, Galdan's life is legendary and complicated. He grew from a child identified as a Buddhist "reincarnated spirit child" to a powerful tribal leader and Great Khan of the Khanate, experiencing numerous glories and setbacks. His story not only makes us feel the vicissitudes and changes of history, but also gives us a deeper understanding and reflection on human nature, power and faith.