The Zakhchin (Mongolian: Захчин) is a subgroup of the Oirats residing in Khovd Province, Mongolia. Zakhchin means 'Border people'. They are so called because they originated from the border garrison (mainly from Torghut, Dorbet Oirat, and Dzungar) of the Dzungar Khanate. They originally spoke the Zakhchin dialect of the Oirat language, but actually pure Oirat language is used by elder generations, younger generations use a dialect being under a strong Khalkha influence.
Total population | |
---|---|
32,845 | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Mongolia | 32,845[1] |
Languages | |
Oirat language | |
Religion | |
Tibetan Buddhism, Mongolian shamanism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Mongols, especially Oirats |
The Zakhchins conquered by the Manchus of the Qing dynasty in 1754 and controlled by Zasagt Khan aimag's Tsevdenjav gün, then moved to Zereg and Shar Khulsan. One Banner with 4(+1) sums were designated for them and noble Maamad (Mamuud) zaisan became the chieftain but Mamuud killed by Zungharian king Amarsanaa later and the Zakhchins revolted together with Amursana against the Qing.
The sums were:
Administrative center was in Hoit sum's Tögrög Hüree.
During the Bogd Khanate of Mongolia, Zakhchin was subject to Dörbet Ünen Zorigt Khan aimag. The south Banner is called Goviinkhon "people of the Gobi", while the north was called the Shiliinkhen "people of the mountain range".
Zakhchin has 16 tamga (seal) and 30 clans [citation needed]. Some of them are:
The Zakhchin numbered 29,800 in 2000.[2]
Zakhchiny tüükh soël, öv ulamzhlal. Iadamzhav, ed. Ulaanbaatar : Soëmbo Printing KhKhK, 2014. ISBN 9789996228612