Chingünjav

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Chingünjav

Chingünjav (Mongolian: Чингүнжав, Chinese: 青袞雜卜; also known as Admiral Chingün (Mongolian: Чингүн, 1710–1757) was the Khalkha prince ruler of the Khotogoids and one of the two major leaders of the 1756-57 rebellion in Outer Mongolia. Although his rebellion failed, he is nowadays often hailed as a fighter for Outer Mongolia's independence from the Manchu-led Qing dynasty of China.

Early life and career

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Chingünjav was born in 1710 at the shore of lake Sangiin Dalai nuur, in the Khotgoid's Erdenedüüregch vangiin khoshuu of Zasagt Khan aimag, or today's Bürentogtokh sum of Khövsgöl aimag.[1][2] His father Bandi was the Khoshuu's Zasag Noyon. In 1738, Chingünjav succeeded his father.[3] Chingünjav made a career in the Manchu military and eventually reached the rank of an assistant general of Zasagt Khan aimag.[4]

Conspiracy with Amursana

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Further information: Amursana rebellion

During the 1755 Manchu campaign against the Dzungar Khanate, Chingünjav and Amursana conspired to start a rebellion in autumn of the same year; however, their seniors discovered their plans and separated them.[5][2] Chingünjav was sent to fight in Uriankhai, and Amursana was summoned to Beijing after disputing the Qing settlement of the Dzungar territories; on the way to Beijing Amursana escaped from his escort.[5] The escape led to the trial and execution of the commander of Amursana's escort, an event that alarmed the Khalkha nobility.[6][7]

Rebellion

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In the summer of 1756 Chingünjav left his post, gathered troops in his home area, and sent a petitionary letter to the Qianlong Emperor announcing his grievances and intentions.[8] Unrest spread throughout Khalkha, where Mongolian rebels attacked the Qing garrisons and robbed Chinese merchants.[9] However, support from other nobles and even from the 2nd Jebtsundamba Khutughtu did not materialize, and Chingünjav never commanded more than about 1,000–2,000 men.[8]

By the time Manchu forces, reinforced by loyal Outer Mongolian banners and detachments from Inner Mongolia, moved against him, Chingünjav had been unable to draw a large coalition and did not confront the Qing in a pitched battle.[10][8]

He retreated north toward the Darkhad area, losing men to desertion; when he was captured at a place now called Wang Tolgoi (about 10 kilometres from Khankh) in January 1757, only some fifty of his followers reportedly remained with him.[11][8]

Aftermath

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Chingünjav, together with almost his whole family, was brought to Beijing and executed.[11][10] The Manchu, although not as brutal as they had been towards the Dzungars, sent punitive units to Mongolia to deal on the spot with all those rebels they could find; nobles that were suspected of having sympathized with Chingünjav were also executed.[10][11] The Jebtsundamba Khutugtu "died" in 1758, the Tüsheet Khan shortly afterwards.[12][13] The Qianlong Emperor was involved in recognition of the third Jebtsundamba Khutugtu found in Tibet, thus he was able to demonstrate his authority to the gathered Mongol nobles.[14][15]

Legacy

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Remains of a fort attributed to Chingünjav, at the Zagzuu creek, some kilometers south of Bürentogtokh

Although never having had a realistic chance to succeed, Chingünjav passed into the realm of folklore.[8] A statue of him was erected in Mörön.[16] In 2012, Mongolian Bronze Foundry created a monument in his honor in Ulaanbaatar, inscribed, "May our government and our children live prosperous and eternal".[17]

Literature

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Charles R. Bawden, The Modern History of the Mongols, London 1968, p. 114 - 134

References

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  1. ^ Badwen 1989, pp. 114–116.
  2. ^ a b "Chingunjav". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  3. ^ Badwen 1989, pp. 116–118.
  4. ^ Badwen 1989, pp. 118–120.
  5. ^ a b Perdue 2005, pp. 270–276.
  6. ^ Perdue 2005, pp. 274–276.
  7. ^ Badwen 1989, pp. 120–123.
  8. ^ a b c d e Kaplonski, Christopher (1993). "Collective memory and Chingunjav's rebellion". History and Anthropology. 6 (2–3). doi:10.1080/02757206.1993.9960830.
  9. ^ 《蒙古族通史》中卷，北京市：民族出版社，2001，ISBN 9787105042746
  10. ^ a b c Perdue 2005, pp. 276–279.
  11. ^ a b c Badwen 1989, pp. 122–125.
  12. ^ "Jebtsundamba Khutuktu". Oxford Reference. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  13. ^ "Jebtsundamba Khutuktu - encyclopedia entry". Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  14. ^ Berger 2003, p. 26.
  15. ^ Berger 2003, p. 17.
  16. ^ "Equestrian statue of Chingünjav in Mörön". EquestrianStatue.org. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  17. ^ "Chingunjav statue and memorial (Ulaanbaatar)". Mongolia Guide. Retrieved 2025-10-24.

Sources

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