Galdan Boshugtu Khan's expeditions against the Kazakh Khanate (1681–1684)

The Galdan Boshugtu Khan's expeditions against the Kazakh Khanate of 1681–1684 was a series military conflict, especially expeditionary warfare by the leader of the Dzungar Khanate, Galdan Boshugtu Khan against the Kazakh Khanate, lasting from 1681 to 1684. This was the second part of the century long conflict, Kazakh–Dzungar Wars. Which the series of war spanned from 1635 until the year 1741. Galdan Boshugtu also led campaigns against the Kyrgyz people, Ferghanians later from 1682 up to 1685. He later led a campaign against the Khanate of Bukhara up to 1686.

This led to a further economic growth in the Dzungar Khanate, which allowed for the abundance of grain for the nomadic pastoralist Dzungars. This also led to administrative reforms for the Dzungar Khanate which led to significant change of the nation during Galdan Boshugtu Khan's reign.

The conflict also allowed for the Dzungar recapture of Jetisu^[a] as they were lost during a coup led against Galdan's brother, Sengge.^[2] Which directly led to Tauke Khan of the Kazakh Khanate to invade the territory with about 80,000 men prior.^[3] The Dzungar power in Jetisu was eventually uncontested.^[4]

After the death of Salqam Jangir Khan in 1652, his son Tauke succeeded him as Khan of the Kazakh Khanate and soon established friendly relations with the Dzungar Khong Tayiji, Sengge.^[2] Who also succeeded his father, Erdeni Batur, in 1653. Sengge had risen to power by a civil war between his half brothers, Chechen tayiji and Zotov Batur in 1661.^[5] Sengge was more interested in fighting against the Russians and Khalkha Mongols over the Kazakhs, as he invaded and conquered the Yenisei. The conquest subsequently led to the subjugation of the residing Kyrgyz People in Southern Siberia and destruction of the Altan Khanate.^[6]

However, in 1670, Sengge was killed by Chechen Tayiji and Zotov Batur in a coup and his mother sent a letter to Galdan who was in Lhasa of his brothers death.^[7] Amidst Sengge's death, Tauke Khan had taken the chance of Sengge's death to recapture Jetisu, as he mobilized with about 80,000 men^[3] and annexed the region.^[2] In 1671, Galdan returned from Tibet and took revenge against his half brother, Zotov Batur on the Irtysh River valley.^[8] In 1676, Galdan defeated Chechen Tayiji near the Taqli pass, Lake Sayram, which Chechen Tayiji had surrendered to Galdan.^[4] Galdan then succeeded Sengge and was granted the title "Khong Tayiji" by the 5th Dalai Lama. Galdan soon received the title "Boshugtu Khan" by the 5th Dalai Lama after the defeat of Ochirtu Khan, in 1678.^[8] He continued the expansion of the Dzungar Khanate, as he led the Dzungar conquest of Altishahr from 1679 to 1680. He soon invaded the Kazakh Khanate to impose Lamaism on the Muslim nation and recover the region of Jetisu.^[2]

In 1681, Galdan Boshughtu Khan started his campaign on Jetisu and Southern Kazakhstan. Eventually, Galdan arrived to the city of Sayram.^[9] He attempted to siege the city of Sayram in 1681, but he failed and later attempted another siege of Sayram in 1683, which failed again.^[10] However, he was able to capture two Kazakh sultans as POW (Prisoner of War).^[11] In 1684, Galdan's general, Tsewang Rabtan had successfully took the city of Sayram and Galdan had appointed a minister and a military garrison for the city.^[12] However, the civilians of Sayram soon revolted and destroyed the Dzungar garrison. Which led to Galdan's return and his recapture of the city, which was reported as a plunder.^[13]

Galdan later continued his advance to the city of Tashkent,^[14] which was spared from destruction as the city itself surrendered to Galdan. However, Turkistan was not captured as Tauke had remained on the city. During the conflict, Tauke Khan's son was captured and was sent to Lhasa to be converted to Tibetan Buddhism.^[15] Galdan Boshugtu Khan also led wars against the Kyrgyz people and the people residing on the Fergana Valley, as he led campaigns against them from 1682 to 1685.^[4] The conflict also led to the subjugation of the Baraba Tatars and imposed yasak on them. Converting the Baraba Tatars to Orthodox Christianity and becoming Russian subjects to find an excuse not to pay their tribute to the Dzungars.^[16]

The campaign allowed the Dzungars for an access to grain, as they were unable to acquire it due to their nomadic pastoral traditions. The successful military campaigns allowed the Dzungars to be in requirement of a better administrative system, which the Dzungars needed to centralize their power over their new territories.^[17] As Galdan Boshugtu Khan expanded the Ikh Tsaaz,^[b] in relation to the local administration, criminals, desertion and poverty. Galdan also established taxation systems in their territories, mainly to collect payments and overlook at expenses.^[18] This also led to the uncontested Dzungar rule over the region of Jetisu,^[4] effectively annexing it.^[1][19]

After those events, Galdan attacked the Khanate of Bukhara, which he captured Andijan,^[14] Bukhara and Samarkand in 1686.^[20] However, the Galdan was unable to lead another campaign against the Kazakhs in 1686, and did not inflict any damage or invade anything according to Russian ambassadors who had visited Tauke Khan.^[13]

Galdan later left Kazakhstan and invaded the Khalkha Mongols in 1687, in which the Khalkha Mongol princes submitted to the Qing dynasty in the Dolon Nor assmebly and later the Qing Emperor, Kangxi joined the war against the Dzungars. In 1696, Galdan was defeated in Battle of Jao Modo, which caused the death of his wife—Lady Anu—who attempted to save him but were killed in the battle.^[21] Galdan retreated back to the Altai Mountains in 1697 and died en route, near the city of Khovd.

This allowed Tauke Khan to prepare for a campaign against the Dzungars in 1687, which he also received Bukharan support of about 10,000 men.^[13] Which allowed for a successful campaign in repelling the Dzungars, which land they were able to repel were unknown.^[22]

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