 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, especiallyOirats | |
TheZakhchin (Mongolian:Захчин) is a subgroup of theOirats residing inKhovd Province,Mongolia.Zakhchin means 'Frontiersmen'. They are so called because they originated from the border garrison (mainly fromTorghut,Dorbet Oirat, andDzungar) of theDzungar Khanate. They originally spoke theZakhchin dialect of theOirat language, but actually pure Oirat language is used by elder generations, younger generations use a dialect being under a strongKhalkha influence.
The Zakhchins conquered by the Manchus of theQing 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 withAmursana against the Qing.
The sums were:
Administrative center was in Hoit sum's Tögrög Hüree.
During theBogd Khanate of Mongolia, Zakhchin was subject to Dörbet Ünen Zorigt Khanaimag. The southBanner is calledGoviinkhon "people of the Gobi", while the north was called theShiliinkhen "people of the mountain range".
Zakhchin has 16 tamga (seal) and 30 clans[citation needed]. Some of them are:
The Zakhchin numbered 29,800 in 2000.[2]
Zakhchiny tüükh soël, öv ulamzhlal. Iadamzhav, ed. Ulaanbaatar : Soëmbo Printing KhKhK, 2014.ISBN 9789996228612
