THE FIRST MANCHU INVATION OF EAST TURKESTAN

Abstract

In the first half of the 17th century, the Dzungar Khanate based on Ili was founded in the north of the Tian Shan Mountains. Meanwhile, there was a struggle between two factions of Khojas, called the White Mountain and the Black Mountain, in the south of the Tian Shan Mountains. White Mountain's religious leader Afaq Khoja was defeated by Yarkent Khanate's ruler Ismail Khan inviting the Dzungars for help, which also opened the door for the Dzungars to seize Kashgar, known as "Second Bukhara." In the meantime, the Manchus gained control over Kumul and Turfan after a long struggle with the Dzungars in the eastern part of East Turkestan. In 1775, the Manchus took control of the Dzungaria and decided to follow the Dzungars' policy to occupy the south of the Tian Shan Mountains. In 1759, the Manchus invaded East Turkestan. Because of the endless struggle between the factions of Khojas, they were unable to stand against the Dzungars and Manchus. In accordance, their homeland was invaded.