Oirat Confederation: Map & History
The Four Oirats or Oirat Confederation, formerly known as the Eleuths, was the confederation of the Oirat tribes which marked the rise of the Western Mongols in the history of the Mongolian Plateau.
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The Four Oirats or Oirat Confederation, formerly known as the Eleuths, was the confederation of the Oirat tribes which marked the rise of the Western Mongols in the history of the Mongolian Plateau.
Modern Countries Once Part of Oirat Confederation
At its mapped extent, Oirat Confederation covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Kyrgyzstan1636–1676 CE · a large part
- Kazakhstan1636–1676 CE · a small part
- China1619–1676 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Oirat Confederation's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Oirat Confederation in Depth
Decline
Esen's death broke up the unity of the Oirats. They now warred with each other for leadership. Esen's son Amasanj moved west, pillaging the lands of Hami, Moghulistan and the Uzbegs.
From 1480 on, the Eastern Mongols under Mandukhai Khatun and Dayan Khan pushed the Oirats westward. By 1510, Dayan Khan had unified the various Mongol tribes, including the Oirats. However, the Khalkhas and some princes of southwest Inner Mongolia repeatedly launched massive attacks on the Oirats and looted their properties in the Irtysh, Barkol and Altai from 1552 to 1628.
The Oirats were still powerful in the Mongolian Plateau even after the fall of Esen and continued to hold Karakorum until the 16th century when Altan Khan recaptured the city from the hands of the Oirats.
Background
The Oirats were one of the forest peoples who lived in west of the Mongols of Genghis Khan. They submitted to Genghis in 1207 and played prominent roles in the history of the Mongol Empire.
After the overthrow of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), Möngke-Temür, a high official of the Yuan, had placed himself at the head of the Oirats. When he died, three chieftains, Mahamu (Mahmud), Taiping and Batu-bolad, ruled them. They sent envoys with gifts to the Ming dynasty. In 1409, the Yongle Emperor (r. 1402–1424) bestowed upon them the title of wang in return. The Oirats began to challenge the Borjigin Emperors of the Northern Yuan in the reign of Elbeg Khan (c. 1394–1399).
Before 1640, the Oirats had been wavering between the two faiths, Islam and Buddhism.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Oirat Confederation (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Oirat Confederation Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 839,091 km² in 1647 CE.
Oirat Confederation: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Oirat Confederation exist?
The Oirat Confederation is dated to 1619 CE – 1676 CE, in the Early Modern & Age of Discovery era.
How large was the Oirat Confederation at its peak?
At its peak in 1647 the Oirat Confederation covered about 839,091 km².
Other Sovereign Realms
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Avarga
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
Industrial Era • Capital: London
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi