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Text: Yanyan
Edited by Yeon-yeon
Preface
The Great Migration of the Mongolian Turghut tribe is a remarkable legend in history.
Why did they take the initiative to move west to Europe in the midst of turmoil, and why did they resolutely return to China a hundred years later? What kind of turmoil and decision-making are hidden behind this, and what forces are driving this feat across the Eurasian continent?
From the steppe to Europe, and then back to their homeland, what twists and turns and challenges has the fate of the Turkuts experienced?
1. The Steppe Eagle: The Origin and Westward Migration of the Turghut Division
In the vast steppes of the Mongolian Plateau, the story of the Turghut tribe begins with their ancestor Kereh. At the beginning of the 13th century, when Genghis Khan unified Mongolia, the Kerebu fought fiercely against it.
Although he was ultimately defeated at the hands of Genghis Khan, the bravery of the Kereh deeply impressed the steppe overlord. As a reward, Genghis Khan incorporated the Kereh into his Guards and gave them the name "Turgot", which means "Gongwei".
With the rise and fall of the Mongol Empire, the Turghut tribe underwent many changes. By the beginning of the 17th century, they had become one of the four major tribes of the Erut Mongols, and were called the "Four Guardats" along with the Dzungaria, Heshute, and Dulbert.
However, this period was also a time of constant strife between the Mongol tribes. The Dzungar tribes, led by their leader Halakula, grew stronger and began to covet the territories of other tribes.
In 1629, the Turghut chieftain and Erlek were faced with a difficult choice. The oppression of the Dzungar tribe is becoming more and more serious, and their living space is constantly being squeezed.
After careful consideration, He Erlek made an astonishing decision: to lead all 50,000 tents and about 250,000 people to move west. This decision, while fraught with risks, is also fraught with hope for the future.
Before leaving, he and Erlek sent a reconnaissance team to explore the way. They brought back exciting news: on the northern side of the Caspian Sea, there is a vast steppe with abundant water and grass, which is very suitable for nomadic life.
Thus, in the spring of 1629, the Turks began their westward migration. It's been an arduous journey. They have to cross the vast Kazakh steppe, facing harsh natural conditions, food shortages, and threats from other tribes.
However, with their indomitable will and superb riding and archery skills, the Turks managed to reach the Volga valley.
On the new pasturelands, the Turks quickly adapted to their environment and established their own khanate. Little did they know, however, that a stronger opponent was on the rise that would give them an even greater challenge.
2. The Tsar's Eagle: The entanglement of the Turks with Russia
Russia in the 17th century was in a period of rapid expansion. After the establishment of the Romanov dynasty, Tsarist Russia began a frenzied territorial expansion, expanding its territory to 400 times that of Muscovy.
It was against this historical background that the Turghut tribe came to the doorstep of Tsarist Russia. At first, the Russians adopted a relatively moderate policy towards the Mongols who had come from afar.
They allowed the Turks to be nomadic in the Volga Valley, and even acquiesced in the establishment of the Turkut Khanate. However, behind this superficial tolerance, there was the exploitation and exploitation of the Turks by Tsarist Russia.
The Russians soon discovered the military value of the Turks. The Mongols' traditional cavalry and archery skills and fighting spirit made them ideal cavalrymen.
As a result, in all the foreign wars of Tsarist Russia, we can see the Turghut cavalry charging at the forefront. However, this "preferential treatment" does not mean that the Turks have gained real freedom.
On the contrary, Tsarist Russia had an increasingly tight grip on the Turks. They interfered in the internal affairs of the Turgot Khanate, forcibly recruited young and middle-aged people into the army, and even tried to change the religious beliefs of the Turkuts, demanding that they renounce Tibetan Buddhism and convert to Orthodox Christianity.
By the middle of the 18th century, the situation had deteriorated further. After Catherine II ascended the throne, the oppression of the Turks reached its peak. She demanded that all Turkuts over the age of 16 participate in the war between the Russian army and Turkey, which was actually draining the population of Turkuts.
At the same time, she also tried to prop up the pro-Russian faction and establish a puppet regime to overthrow the power of the Great Khan of Turghut Wobasid. In this dire situation, the Turks began to have the idea of returning to their homeland.
Their eyes were set to the far east, where there were steppes where they once lived, and there were their compatriots. At this time, China had become a powerful empire under the governance of the three emperors of Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong.
3. The road back to the east: a difficult journey of thousands of miles
The year 1770 was a turning point for the Turks. After suffering heavy losses in the Russo-Turkish war, they faced the danger of extinction. Great Khan Wobasi realized that if he did not take any further action, an entire nation could perish in a foreign land.
After much deliberation, he made a surprising decision: to lead the whole clan back east. This decision is fraught with risk. They have to cross the vast grasslands, cross thousands of kilometers, and face the harsh natural environment and the resistance of hostile tribes.
More importantly, they were not sure whether the Qing Dynasty would accept them. However, for Worbasy and his people, this was the only option.
In December 1770, on a cold winter night, Worbasil and about 170,000 people quietly left their homeland, where they had lived on the banks of the Volga River for more than 140 years. In order to avoid attracting the attention of the Russians, they had to set out in batches.
However, their actions were discovered by the Russians. Catherine II was furious and immediately ordered a pursuit. Not only did she send troops, but she also ordered the Kazakh tribes along the way to stop the Turks.
And just like that, a thrilling chase began. The Turks struggled their way through the vast snowfield, followed by the Russian and Kazakh cavalry in hot pursuit. They faced not only enemy pursuit, but also the threat of cold, hunger, and disease.
In the Oser Gorge, they were ambushed by the Kazakhs. In the fierce fighting, a large number of Turks were killed and wounded. But Worbasi did not give up, he boosted his morale and led his people onwards.
On the way, they also have to cross the vast Gobi Desert. Drought and water scarcity have become the worst enemies. Many fell on the road, but the survivors held on because they knew that their homes were ahead.
Fourth, Qianlong's aid: the Qing Dynasty's acceptance of Turgot
While the Turks were struggling to return eastward, the Qing Dynasty was unaware of this astonishing move. It was not until Tsarist Russia sent people to the Qing Dynasty to ask for "fugitives" that Emperor Qianlong learned of this.
But Qianlong's reaction was beyond everyone's expectations. Qianlong not only rejected the Russian demands, but also made it clear that he wanted to accept the Turks.
He said to the envoys: "Turghut was originally a child of my Qing Dynasty, and now they are going to return to their homeland, and we naturally welcome them." As for your pursuit, it can be carried out in Russia, but it is never allowed to enter the territory of our Great Qing Dynasty. "
This statement not only reflects Qianlong's political wisdom, but also shows the national strength and self-confidence of the Qing Dynasty. Faced with the powerful Qing Dynasty, Tsarist Russia had to abandon further pursuit.
In June 1771, after more than half a year of arduous trekking, the Turks finally reached the banks of the Ili River. When they saw the banner of the Qing army, many were so excited that they shed tears. Wu Baxi led his people to present their weapons to the Qing army and expressed their submission.
When Qianlong learned of the safe arrival of the Turks, he immediately ordered the mobilization of grain and livestock from all over the country to support these wanderers who had just returned to their homeland. He also pardoned his entourage, Sheleng, a Dzungar nobleman who had rebelled against the Qing Dynasty.
In order to commemorate this great event of national unity, Qianlong personally wrote the "Records of the Return of All Turks to Shun", and ordered people to carve stone monuments to record this history in Manchu, Mongolian, Chinese, and Tibetan languages.
These two huge stone monuments still stand in the temple of Chengde Putuo Zongxian, witnessing this epic of national unity spanning a century.
5. Return: Reshaping national identity and cultural inheritance
The return of the Turks to the east was not only a geographical migration, but also a reshaping of national identity. Having lived in the Volga Valley for nearly 150 years, the language and customs of the Turks were inevitably influenced by Russian culture.
However, they have never forgotten their roots and remain attached to their homeland. Upon returning to their homeland, the Turks faced the challenge of reintegrating into the Chinese cultural community. Qianlong took a series of measures to help them adjust to their new lives.
He not only gave material support, but also cultural respect and tolerance. Qianlong allowed the Turks to retain their religious beliefs and habits, while encouraging them to learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture.
He also appointed Wu Baxi as the son of Gushanbei, so that the Turghut tribe was integrated into the Qing Dynasty's title system. This policy of tolerance and respect allowed the Turks to gradually integrate into the political and cultural system of the Qing Empire while maintaining their own cultural identity.
The story of their return to the East has become a successful model of the Qing Dynasty's ethnic policy, demonstrating the inclusiveness and cohesion of Chinese culture. In the years that followed, the Turks made an important contribution to the defense of the Northwest Frontier.
Their riding and archery skills and knowledge of the grasslands made them an important force in the Qing Dynasty's northwestern frontier defense. At the same time, they also played an important role in cultural exchanges, becoming a bridge connecting the Central Plains culture and the Western Regions culture.
The return of the Turks to the east not only changed their own destiny, but also enriched the composition of the Chinese nation. Their stories have become a vivid portrayal of the Chinese nation's perseverance and unity.
epilogue
The westward migration and eastward return of the Turkut tribe is a national epic spanning a century. It not only shows the deep affection of the Turks for their homeland, but also demonstrates the tolerance and cohesion of the Chinese nation.
This history teaches us that the power of national identity and cultural inheritance is so strong that it cannot be erased even after a hundred years of separation.
Today, when we stand in front of the stele in Chengde, we can still feel the shock and emotion of that period of history, which will forever inspire us to work for national unity and cultural inheritance.