Zakhchin

The Zakhchin (Mongolian: Захчин) is a subgroup of the Oirats residing in Khovd Province, Mongolia. Zakhchin means 'Frontiersmen'. 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.

Zakhchin

Location of the Zakhchin
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

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 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:

• Bichgiin meeren's sum (in modern Mankhan, Khovd province)
• Güüj zan's sum (in modern Altai and part of Must, Khovd province)
• Baljinnyam zahiragch sum (in modern Zereg and parts of Mankhan in Khovd province)
• Jantsandorj's sum or Hoit (North) sum (in modern Mankhan, Khovd province)
• Guniikhen (in modern Uyench, Khovd province)

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".

Clans

Zakhchin has 16 tamga (seal) and 30 clans ^{[citation needed]}. Some of them are:

• Donjooniikhon
• Damjaaniikhan
• Shurdaankhan
• Baykhiinkhan
• Emchiinkhen
• Khereid
• Tsagaan Yas
• Aatiinkhan
• Dumiyenkhen
• Burd Tariachin
• Adsagiinkhan
• Tavagzaaniikhan
• Nokhoikhon
• Khotonguud
• Khurmshtiinkhan
• Mukhlainkhan

Number

The Zakhchin numbered 29,800 in 2000.^[2]

Famous Zakhchins in modern Mongolia

• Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, who is a former President of Mongolia
• Damdingiin Demberel, who is current speaker of State Parliament
• Rinchinnyamyn Amarjargal, who is a former Prime Minister of Mongolia