Zakhchin


The Zakhchin 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 of Dzungar Empire. They originally speak 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 Khalkh influence.

History

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 khoshuu with 4 sums were designated for them and noble Maamad zaisan became the chieftain but Mamuud killed by Zungharian king Amarsanaa later and the Zakhchins revolted together Amarsanaa against the Qing dynasty.
The sums were:
Administrative center was in Hoit sum's Tögrög Hüree.
During Bogd Khaanate Mongolia, Zakhchin was subject to Dörbet Ünen Zorigt Khan aimag. The south khoshuu is called goviinkhon, while the north is called shiliinkhen.

Clans

Zakhchin has 16 tamga and 30 clans. Some of them are:
The Zakhchin numbered 29,800 in 2000.

Famous Zakhchins in modern Mongolia

Zakhchiny tüükh soël, öv ulamzhlal. Iadamzhav, ed. Ulaanbaatar : Soëmbo Printing KhKhK, 2014.