Zakhchin

ethnic group
group=Zakhchin
poptime=25,000 - 34,000 (est.)
popplace=Mongolia
languages = Oirat, Zakhchin dialect
religions =Tibetan Buddhism.
related =Oirat Mongols

Zakhchin (Mongolian: Захчин) is an Oirat-Mongol tribe residing in western part of Mongolia.Zakhchin means 'Border people'. They are so called because they are originated form the border garrison (mainly from Torghud, Dörbet, Ööld) of Dzungar Empire.

History

The Zakhchin were conquered by Manchus in 1754 and controlled by Jasagtu Khan aimag's Tsevdenjav gün, then moved to Zereg and Shira Khulsan. One khoshuu with 4 sums were designated for them and noble Maamad zaisan became the chieftain.

The sums were:

* Bichgiin meeren's sum (in modern Mankhan, Khovd province)
* Güüj zan's sum (in modern Möst, Khovd province)
* Baljinnyam zahiragch sum (in modern Zereg and parts of Mankhan in Khovd province)
* Jantsandorj's sum or Hoit (North) sum (in modern Mankhan, Khovd province)

Administrative center was in Hoit sum's Tögrög Hüree.

During Bogd Khanate Mongolia, Zakhchin was subject to Dörbet Ünen Zorigt Khan aimag. The south khoshuu is called shiliinkhen (people of mountain range), while the north is called goviinkhon (people of Gobi).

Clans

Zakhchin has 16 tamga (seal) and 30 clans Fact|date=December 2007. Some of them are:

* Donjooniikhon
* Damjaaniikhan
* Shurdaankhan
* Baykhiinkhan
* Emchiinkhen
* Khereid
* Tsagaan Yas
* Aatiinkhan
* Burd Tariachin
* Adsagiinkhan
* Tavagzaaniikhan
* Nokhoikhon
* Khotonguud
* Khurmshtiinkhan
* Mukhlainkhan