Kyrgyz–Qing War

Kyrgyz–Qing War (1758–1846)
Tagai-Kyrgyz Map
Date 1758–1846 Location Central Asia Result Kyrgyz victory
Belligerents
Qing Dynasty Kalmyk Tribes Supported by: Russian Empire	Kyrgyz Tribes Kara-Kyrgyz Khanate Tagay-Kyrgyz Federation Kazakhs Uyghurs
Commanders and leaders
Qianlong Emperor # Jiaqing Emperor # Daoguang Emperor Yun Qin  Bayanbatyr † Zhao Hoi † Supported by: Mikhail Chernyayev	Taylak Baatyr Jangir Khoja Berdike Baatyr Cherikchi Bey
Strength
20,000+	Less than Qing Dynasty
Casualties and losses
10,000+ 19 Killed 85 Wounded	Unknown

The Kyrgyz–Qing War had lasted for many years and the Qing Dynasty was exhausted. As a result of this war, all Chinese attempts to subjugate the Kyrgyz failed. Qing Empire wanted only neutrality on its western borders and therefore did not often interfere in Kyrgyz affairs, while the Kyrgyz rarely openly opposed China and supported the Uyghurs. Qing Dynasty also supported the Russians in Battle of Shymkent.

Qing Campaign in Ili River Valley (1758)

Using the pursuit of the Oirat refugees as a pretext, Qing troops attempted to cross the Ili River valley into northern Kyrgyzstan in the summer of 1758. However, they met armed resistance from the local population: The first serious clash between the Kyrgyz and Chinese troops took place. It did not leave any mark on the historical fate of the Kyrgyz people, but the Chinese troops could not stay.

Battle near Issyk-Kul (1760)

When one of the Chinese detachments appeared on the shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in 1760, it was met with rifle fire from the Saribagysh tribes of Biay Cherikchi, who had sent an envoy to Beijing the year before, and the Qing troops retreated. At the same time, the Kyrgyz and Uzbek population of the Kokand Khanate did not leave the peoples of East Turkestan (Uyghurs, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, etc.), who were fighting for independence against Qing oppression, in need and provided them with whatever assistance they could. In 1841, one of the Omsk observers emphasized that during the last conflicts with the Chinese, the Kokand Kyrgyz rendered great services of which they were very proud.

Kyrgyz-East Turkestan connection and Qing's fear during war

Attempts by Qing troops to infiltrate and conquer Kyrgyz territory and the Kokand region were met with armed resistance from Kyrgyz and Uzbek peoples and were thwarted. Qing China had to content itself with urging the Kyrgyz "across the border" to "keep calm" and not to violate Chinese borders. Kyrgyz tribes were an active political force, always ready to support the anti-Qing liberation struggle of the peoples of East Turkestan. Under these circumstances, Central Asian Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Kazakhs often supported the forcibly indigenized population of East Turkestan, which was predominantly Uyghurs, but also included many ethnically similar peoples.

Berdike Baatyr's Campaign aganist Qing's

But in addition to this, some tribal leaders fought separately. An example of this is Berdike Batyr, who, having led exclusively the forces under his control, waged a struggle against the Qing Empire.

Qing Campaing in Issyk-Kul (1758)

The conflict between Qing's and Kyrgyzs occurred in 1758. Under the pretext of capturing the Kalmyks, the Qing general Zhao Hoi crossed the Ili River valley and, after crossing the Santash Pass, entered the Issyk-Kul Basin. The entire population rose up against the enemies and forced them to leave after a series of fierce clashes.

Qing Campaign in Fergana

In 1759, Kyrgyz-Uzbek forces dealt a devastating blow to the Qing troops occupying Fergana. 7,000 of the 9,000 Chinese invaders were killed.

Battle of Oynok Jar Gorge

A Chinese detachment of 400 soldiers under the command of General Bayan-Batu was sent in pursuit of Janger Kojo, who had taken advantage of Tay-lak's absence to seize their property in Ak-Chieh, plunder their possessions and steal their cattle. At the Oinok-Dzhar pass in Orto-Syrt (today's At-Bashy region), Tay-lak and his braves caught up with the enemies and destroyed a detachment led by the general himself.

Battle of Kashgar (1826)

In the spring of 1826, Jangir-Khojo marched on Kashgar with the great help of his comrades from Andijan and Taylak Baatyr and Kyrgyz from Sayak, Cherik, Basiz, Monoldor. This time the Uyghur local population actively supported the anti-Chinese rebellion and soon the main city of Xinjiang came under the rule of Jangir. As the main core of the rebel military forces were Kyrgyz, they performed the external and internal guard service.

Qing İnvasion of Atbashi and Ili River (1760–1764)

In 1760, the soldiers of Sarbagysh bey Cherikchi fought fiercely against Chinese detachments invading At-Bashi. In 1764, the Kyrgyz inflicted significant losses on the invading troops coming from the upper Ili River.

Result of war

Qing officials had to admit that attempts to conquer the Kyrgyzs were futile. After that, there were no attacks by the Chinese, but the Kyrgyzs crossed border many more times.