Galdan Boshugtu Khan

Timeline

1. c. 1644–1671Lhasa · LhasaSent to Lhasa in his youth, he studied exoteric and esoteric doctrine, calendrics, and medicine under the Fifth Dalai Lama and the Fourth Panchen. In 1670 his brother Sengge was killed by their half-brother Tsechen Taiji and others; he abandoned his monastic vows and returned east, defeating his enemies the following year and reclaiming Dzungar rule, receiving the title Hongtaiji from the Dalai Lama.
2. 1671–1688Ili valley · IliHe married Sengge's widow Anu and clashed with Khoshut Khan Chokhor Ochir, forcing him westward in 1678 and establishing dominance over the Oirats. The Fifth Dalai Lama soon conferred on him the title Boshugtu Khan. In 1679–1680s he conquered Yarkand, Kashgar, Hami, and Turfan, and campaigned against the Kazakh steppe. Centered on Ili, the khanate became the strongest Oirat polity in Inner Asia at the time.
3. 1688–1697Jao Modo · Upper Tula RiverIn 1688, to avenge his brother Dorjijab's death and intervene in a dispute among the Jasagtu Khan's banner, he invaded the Khalkha in force; Tushiyetu Khan and the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu fled south to the Qing. In 1690 he was checked at Ulan Butung by Qing and Khalkha allied forces. During his eastern campaign his nephew Tsewang Rabtan seized the Dzungar homeland. In 1696 Kangxi advanced in three columns; at Jao Modo Galdan's main force was destroyed and Anu was killed. Left with only a remnant, he took poison near Khovd in spring 1697, and his ashes were later sent to Beijing.