Abstract
This paper reviews a meeting held by the Kangxi Emperor in Küreng Belčir in 1686 to mediate internal conflicts between the left and right wings of the Khalkha and the ensuing sequence of events until the invasion of Khalkha lands by Galdan of the Dzunghar in 1688, which led the Khalkha to seek protection from the Qing Dynasty. This paper reveals aspects of the Qing Dynasty’s intervention in the Khalkha internal conflict and how the left wing of the Khalkha reacted, as well as the actions of the Jasaghtu Khaan family and other right-wing chiefs after the meeting.
The left wing, including the Tüsiyetü Khaan, was dissatisfied with the Qing Dynasty’s decision to follow the wishes of the right-wing Jasaghtu Khaan, their rival at the meeting in Küreng Belčir. The Tüsiyetü Khaan protested afterward, but the Qing Dynasty did not respond, instead rejecting all of the left wing’s subsequent protests and requests. Most right-wing chiefs did not agree with the Jasaghtu Khaan and his benefactor Galdan, which is why the left and most of the right wing sought Qing protection when Galdan invaded Khalkha lands. The Jasaghtu Khaan’s family, which was also attacked by the Tüsiyetü Khaan, maintained constant contact with the Qing Dynasty while following Galdan. When Galdan’s status faltered, they immediately sought Qing protection.
The Qing Dynasty was well aware that it could cooperate with the left wing against Russia and that the left wing was opposed by the Jasaghtu Khaan’s family as well as Russia, the Dzunghar, and Tibet. The Qing Dynasty was also well aware that the left wing could not afford to damage its relationship with the Dynasty. Therefore, the Qing presumably supported the Jasaghtu Khaan’s family as a measure to maintain the balance between the left and right wings, regardless of the left wing’s intentions after the meeting.
