Kazakh–Dzungar Wars in Chinese Sources

Abstract

This article is devoted to the analysis of the historical nature of the Kazakh-Dzungarian wars of the 17th-18th centuries. The study focuses on the impact of these conflicts on the formation of Kazakh statehood and the changing geopolitical situation in the region. The author attempts to consider Kazakh-Dzungarian relations not only within the framework of military confrontation, but also in the context of broader political and diplomatic processes. The study used official Chinese archival data and historical documents created during the Qing Empire. These sources allow us to analyze Kazakh-Dzungarian relations from an external diplomatic perspective. These materials provide a clearer picture of the internal and external political situation of the Dzungarian state, as well as the position of the Qing government in relation to the region. The collapse of the Dzungarian state led to a change in the balance of power in the region and created conditions for an increase in the political role of the Kazakhs. During this period, the direct involvement of Kazakh rulers in international diplomatic relations intensified, and the foreign political relations of the Kazakh Khanate rose to a new level. Such processes also had a significant impact on the political structure of Kazakh society. The article also focuses on the place of the Kazakh-Dzungarian wars in the historical memory of the people. It is shown that these conflicts were perceived as an important historical experience that strengthened national integrity and political unity over time. The results of the study prove that the systematic and constructive use of Chinese sources allows for a new understanding of a number of issues in Kazakh history.