Battle of the Bloody Hills (1637)

Battle of the Bloody Hills
Part of Khoshut intervention in Tibet and the Oirat–Khalkha Wars
Güshi Khan with Sonam Rapten
Date The Spring of 1637 Location Kokonoor Gorge, Amdo or Qinghai, China [1] Result Oirat Victory Suppression of Khalkha presence in Amdo [2] [3] Creation of the Khoshut Khanate [1] [4] Territorial changes Khoshuts annex the region of Qinghai [1]
Belligerents
Pro-Gelugpa Oirat Coalition: Khoshuts Dzungar Khanate	Anti-Gelugpa Khalkha Coalition: Khalkhas
Commanders and leaders
Pro-Gelugpa Oirat Coalition: Torobaikhu Ochirtu Ablai tayiji Erdeni Batur	Anti-Gelugpa Khalkha Coalition: Choghtu Khong Tayiji   †
Strength
10,000 [5]	30,000 [5]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy [6]

The Battle of the Bloody Hills, also known as the Battle of Olango, ^[1] was fought in the spring of 1637 by an Oirat-led coalition under the Khoshut chief Torobaikhu and supported by the Dzungar prince Erdeni Batur in Amdo against the Khalkha prince Choghtu Khong Tayiji. ^[1] The battle resulted in an Oirat victory, creating the Khoshut Khanate ^{[1] [7]} and contributing to the elimination of the Karmapa threat. ^{[8] [9]}

The battle was a religious war between the Gelugpa and the Karmapa sects of Tibetan Buddhism and formed part of the Oirat–Khalkha Wars. The battle removed a major supporter of the Karmapa, allowing the Oirats to establish permanent control over the Qinghai region and to initiate the Khoshut intervention, which later unified Tibet and contributed to the patronage of the Gelugpa as the dominant Buddhist sect in Mongolia.

Background

Main articles: Güshi Khan and 5th Dalai Lama

Torobaikhu, later Güshi or Güshri Khan, founder of the Khoshut Khanate, portrait by Bembya Federov.

In 1625, after the events of the Oirat War of Independence, a conflict broke out within the Oirat Confederation between Chokhur and Torobaikhu's elder brother Baibaghas over succession, during which Baibaghas was killed in action. ^[10] This directly caused Torobaikhu, the younger brother of Baibaghas, to pursue Chokhur from Ishim to the Tobol River to seek revenge, resulting in the death of Chokhur. ^[11] Torobaikhu later succeeded Baibaghas as the chief of the Khoshuts in 1630. ^[12]

Meanwhile, in Tibet, a religious conflict broke out between the Gelugpa and Karmapa schools. During that period, Sonam Rapten, the principal attendant of the 5th Dalai Lama, sent a letter to Dzungaria in 1634 seeking support from the Oirats, ^[13] to end the persecutions and suppress the Karmapa and Bon leagues. ^[14] The Tsangpa King, Karma Tenkyong, had begun the persecution of the Gelug schools along with the Bonpo King of Beri in Kham, as well as forming an alliance between Choghtu Khong Tayiji of the Khalkha who supported the Karmapa and Ligdan Khan of the Chahar, who supported the Bonpo. ^[15] The Khalkhas soon settled in Amdo, ^[14] migrating alongside Ligdan Khan, who later died en route while moving to support the Tsangpa. This caused a civil war among the Khalkhas after Choghtu had arrived at Lake Qinghai, ^[15] prompting Sonam Rapten to seek their assistance. ^[13]

The Oirats agreed to intervene due to Torobaikhu's devotion to the Gelugpa sect and the persecution of their newly adopted Gelugpa faith ^[16] —a pro-Gelugpa Oirat army coalition of 10,000 men was formed—including the forces of Erdeni and his cousins Ablai tayiji and Ochirtu in order to defeat the anti-Gelugpa Khalkhas on Amdo, reportedly claiming to be pilgrims in order to reach the region. ^[1]

Battle

Erdeni Batur, founder of the Dzungar Khanate, portrait by Bembya Federov.

The battle took place in the spring of 1637, in the Lake Qinghai region. Several days later, near Lake Qinghai, the Oirats attacked Choghtu's army at Olango, where they encircled the Khalkha army between two hills. ^[1] The Oirats soon found Choghtu, who attempted to flee from the battle, hid in a marmot hole and was discovered and killed by Güshi's brother. ^{[17] [1]} Choghtu's remaining forces were defeated in Khargai and executed by the Oirat forces. ^[18] According to Shakabpa, the Khalkhas stationed at Namtso were alerted that their leader had been killed and his army had suffered severe losses. This caused them to join the Tsangpa army and remain in the region instead of returning to Amdo to relieve their former positions. ^[6]

Aftermath

Statues of the Fifth Dalai Lama and Güshi Khan.

After Choghtu's death, the Khalkhas' presence on Amdo was suppressed following the Qing dynasty's subjugation of them. ^[2] In 1638, Torobaikhi and the other leaders of the coalition visited Lhasa, ^[19] with the Fifth Dalai Lama blessing them. He conferred upon Torobaikhu the titles Güshi or Güshri, Holder of the Doctrine Chogyal, and Khagan , ^[20] against Borjigid tradition, as the Borjigids were direct descendants of Genghis Khan. ^[5] Others received blessings such as Dzasa, Da Lama, Dayan, and more, ^[21] Kharkhul's son Erdeni was granted the title of Batur Khong Tayiji and married Güshi's daughter, Amin Dara, and returned to the Dzungar Khanate. ^[5] Following the battle, the Khoshuts settled in Amdo, ^[6] during which about 100,000 households migrated to Güshi's new realm. ^[22] Later, Gelugpa spies discovered a possible coalition, particularly between the Tsangpa dynasty and the Beri kingdom. ^[21] They reported it to Güshi Khan. In 1639, he invaded Kham ^[23] and later advanced into Ü-Tsang in 1641, ^[24] unifying Tibet in the process. ^[25]

Popular culture

In the 1945 film, Tsogt taij references the battle between the Khalkhas and the Oirats, and depicts Choghtu as a national hero while also showing a scene with an Oirat soldier holding Choghtu’s severed head wrapped in a blanket. ^[26]

References

1. Shakabpa, Tsepon W.D. (1967). Tibet: A political history. New Haven & London, Yale University: New Haven & London: Yale University Press, Shakabpa, Tsepon W.D. p. 104.
2. Laird, Thomas (2006). The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama. New York: Grove Press, Laird Thomas. pp. 158–161. ISBN   978-0-8021-1827-1.
3. Altangerel, Chulunbatyn. Дэлхийн талыг эзгэн үе эрхшээсэн түүхт Монголын зэвсэг, дайн, хил хамгаалалтын толь[A look at the weapons, warfare, and border defenses of the historical Mongols, who conquered half the world] (in Mongolian). Chulunbatyn Altangerel. p. 202.
4. Spencer, Haines R. (2018). "MONGOLICA: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MONGOL STUDIES". Charismatic Authority in Context: An Explanation of Guushi Khan's Swift Rise to Power in the Early 17th Century. 52: 27–28.
5. Adle, Chahryar (2003). History of Civilizations of Central Asia (5th ed.). UNESCO, Adle Chahrayar. p. 147. ISBN   978-8120820463.
6. Shakabpa, Tsepon W.D. (1967). Tibet: A political history. New Haven & London, Yale University: New Haven & London: Yale University Press, Shakabpa, Tsepon W.D. pp. 104–105.
7. Spencer, Haines R. (2018). "MONGOLICA: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MONGOL STUDIES". Charismatic Authority in Context: An Explanation of Guushi Khan's Swift Rise to Power in the Early 17th Century. 52: 27–28.
8. Laird, Thomas (2006). The Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama. New York: Grove Press, Laird Thomas. pp. 158–161. ISBN   978-0-8021-1827-1.
9. Altangerel, Chulunbatyn. Дэлхийн талыг эзгэн үе эрхшээсэн түүхт Монголын зэвсэг, дайн, хил хамгаалалтын толь[A look at the weapons, warfare, and border defenses of the historical Mongols, who conquered half the world] (in Mongolian). Chulunbatyn Altangerel. p. 202.
10. Adle, Chahryar (2003). History of Civilizations of Central Asia (5th ed.). UNESCO, Adle Chahrayar. p. 146. ISBN   978-8120820463.
11. Haines, R Spencer (2018). "Charismatic Authority in Context: An Explanation of Guushi Khan's Swift Rise to Power in the Early 17th Century". Mongolica: An International Journal of Mongolian Studies. 52. International Association of Mongolists: 24–31.
12. Adle, Chahryar (2003). History of Civilizations of Central Asia (5th ed.). UNESCO, Adle Chahrayar. pp. 146–147. ISBN   978-8120820463.
13. Atwood, Christopher Pratt (2004). Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol empire. Atwood, C.P. p. 211. ISBN   978-0816046713.
14. Grousset, René (1970). "The Empire of the Steppes". New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, Grousset, René. p. 523. ISBN   0-9611474-07.
15. Dhondup, K. (1984). The Water-Horse and Other Years: A History of 17th and 18th Century Tibet. 978-8185102344: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dhondup, K. p. 17. ISBN   978-8185102344.
16. Dhondup, K. (1984). The Water-Horse and Other Years: A History of 17th and 18th Century Tibet. 978-8185102344: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dhondup, K. p. 18. ISBN   978-8185102344.
17. Dhondup, K. (1984). The Water-Horse and Other Years: A History of 17th and 18th Century Tibet. 978-8185102344: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dhondup, K. p. 19. ISBN   978-8185102344.
18. Altangerel, Chulunbatyn. Дэлхийн талыг эзгэн үе эрхшээсэн түүхт Монголын зэвсэг, дайн, хил хамгаалалтын толь[A look at the weapons, warfare, and border defenses of the historical Mongols, who conquered half the world] (in Mongolian). Chulunbatyn Altangerel. p. 202.
19. Dhondup, K. (1984). The Water-Horse and Other Years: A History of 17th and 18th Century Tibet. 978-8185102344: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dhondup, K. pp. 19–20. ISBN   978-8185102344.
20. Spencer, Haines R. (2018). "MONGOLICA: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MONGOL STUDIES". Charismatic Authority in Context: An Explanation of Guushi Khan's Swift Rise to Power in the Early 17th Century. 52: 26–27.
21. Dhondup, K. (1984). The Water-Horse and Other Years: A History of 17th and 18th Century Tibet. 978-8185102344: Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, Dhondup, K. p. 20. ISBN   978-8185102344.
22. Spencer, Haines R. (2018). "MONGOLICA: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MONGOL STUDIES". Charismatic Authority in Context: An Explanation of Guushi Khan's Swift Rise to Power in the Early 17th Century. 52: 27–28.
23. Zahiruddin, Ahmad (1995). A History of Tibet by the Fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet (English translation of Bod kyi deb ther dpyid kyi rgyal mo’i glu dbyangs). Vol. 2. Bloomington: Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies, Indiana University, Zahiruddin Ahmad. pp. 195–196. ISBN   0-933070-32-2.
24. Zahiruddin, Ahmad (1995). A History of Tibet by the Fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet (English translation of Bod kyi deb ther dpyid kyi rgyal mo’i glu dbyangs). Vol. 2. Bloomington: Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies, Indiana University, Zahiruddin Ahmad. p. 197. ISBN   0-933070-32-2.
25. Shakabpa, Tsepon W.D. (1967). Tibet: A political history. New Haven & London, Yale University: New Haven & London: Yale University Press, Shakabpa, Tsepon W.D. p. 111.
26. BARNETT, ROBERT. “‘Tsogt Taij’ and the Disappearance of the Overlord: Triangular Relations in Three Inner Asian Films.” Inner Asia, vol. 9, no. 1, 2007, pp. 41–75, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23615067. Accessed 15 May 2022.