Chiefdom of Bathang explained

Conventional Long Name:Chiefdom of Bathang
Common Name:Chiefdom of Bathang
Status:Chiefdom under the Chinese Tusi system
Year Start:1719
Year End:1906
P1:Khoshut Khanate
Flag P1:Sin escudo.svg
S1:Qing dynasty
Flag S1:Flag_of_China_(1889–1912).svg
Capital:Bathang
Common Languages:Khams Tibetan
Title Leader:chieftain
Leader1:Norbu Ngawang (first)
Year Leader1:1719–17??
Leader2:Tashi Gyaltsen (last)
Year Leader2:18??–1906
Title Deputy:vice chieftain
Deputy1:Tashi Tsering (first)
Year Deputy1:1719-17??
Deputy2:Drakpa Gyaltsen (last)
Year Deputy2:18??-1906
Today:China

Chiefdom of Bathang, or Chiefdom of Batang, was an autonomous Tusi chiefdom that ruled Bathang (present day Batang County of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) during the Qing dynasty period.

Bathang belonged to the Chiefdom of Lijiang during the Ming dynasty period. Later, it was occupied by the Khoshut Khanate. In 1703, Lha-bzang Khan appointed two desi to govern the region. In 1719, a Chinese army under Yue Zhongqi marched to conquer Tibet, and the two desi surrendered to the Chinese. They were appointed chieftain and vice chieftain by the Chinese respectively.

Bathang, Lithang, Chakla and Derge were called the "Four Great Native Chiefdoms in Kham" (康区四大土司) by the Chinese. In 1725, Bathang was separated from Tibet. From then on, it was under the jurisdiction of Sichuan. Bathang chieftains were appointed by Chinese emperors directly.[1]

Under the inspiration of Guangxu's expansion policy, many Chinese migrated to Kham. It irritated the local Tibetans. In 1905, Bathang murdered a Chinese official Fengquan (鳳全). Then Bathang revolted against Qing China. The rebellion was put down by Zhao Erfeng in the same year.[2] The last chieftain and vice chieftain were captured by Zhao, and tortured to death.[3] Bathang was annexed by China in the next year.

Notes and References

  1. https://archive.today/20150813033843/http://www.gzz.gov.cn/10000/10027/10039/10441846.shtml 清王朝敕封的康区土司
  2. Book: Sources of Tibetan Tradition. Kurtis R.. Schaeffer. Matthew. Kapstein. Gray. Tuttle. illustrated. 2013. Columbia University Press. xxxvi. 978-0231135986. 24 April 2014.
  3. 国庆 . 赵尔丰及其巴塘经营 . Zhao Erfeng and his Batang operations. . 西藏研究 . 4 . 1989 .