Xinjiang Campaign of 1871–1877

The Xinjiang Campaign of 1871–1877 was a series of military operations led by the Kokand warlord Yaqub Beg against the Qing

Xinjiang Campaign of 1871–1877
Part of the Dungan Revolt
Date 1871–1877 Location Xinjiang (modern-day northwest China) Result Kokand-Uyghur Victory
Belligerents
Kokand Khanate Uyghurs Muslim Turkic tribes	Qing Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Yaqub Beg	Zuo Zongtang
Strength
20,000–30,000 troops	40,000–50,000 troops (Qing forces)
Casualties and losses
Estimated 10,000–15,000	Estimated 20,000–30,000
The campaign was marked by a series of sieges, skirmishes, and tactical engagements, with Yaqub Beg's forces successfully securing large portions of Xinjiang before Qing forces reasserted control.

Dynasty during the Dungan Revolt in the Tarim Basin (modern-day Xinjiang, China). The campaign marked a brief period of resistance against Qing rule, culminating in the establishment of Yettishar, a semi-independent Muslim state ruled by Yaqub Beg. Although the campaign was not defined by a single decisive battle, the capture of Kashgar in 1871 played a pivotal role in securing Yaqub Beg’s dominance in the region and initiating his push for autonomy from the Qing Empire. The campaign ultimately ended with the Qing reconquest of Xinjiang under the leadership of General Zuo Zongtang in 1877, following Yaqub Beg’s death.

Background

In the mid-19th century, the Qing Empire was embroiled in multiple rebellions across China, including the Taiping Rebellion and the Dungan Revolt. The latter, primarily led by Hui Muslim rebels, had severely weakened Qing control over the western frontier, including the vast region of Xinjiang. The Dungan Revolt (also known as the Muslim Rebellion) provided an opportunity for the Kokand Khanate and other Central Asian powers to exert influence in the area. Amid this turmoil, Yaqub Beg, a military leader from the Kokand Khanate, capitalized on the instability to establish himself as a dominant figure in the region.

The Xinjiang Campaign

In 1871, after several successful skirmishes with Qing forces, Yaqub Beg captured Kashgar, one of the most important cities in the Tarim Basin. This victory marked the beginning of the Xinjiang Campaign of 1871–1877 and set the stage for the establishment of Yettishar, a semi-independent Muslim state that Yaqub Beg ruled with considerable autonomy. His military campaign was not centered on large, pitched battles but instead on guerrilla tactics, siege warfare, and strategic alliances with local Muslim groups.

Yaqub Beg's success was bolstered by his ability to unite various ethnic groups, including the Hui and Uygur Muslims, under his banner. He leveraged regional rivalries and local knowledge to outmaneuver Qing forces, which were stretched thin due to internal strife and the rebellion in other parts of China.

Major Events

• Capture of Kashgar (1871): Yaqub Beg’s most significant victory was his seizure of Kashgar in 1871. The city became the capital of Yettishar, and its capture solidified Yaqub Beg's control over the Tarim Basin, making it a stronghold for his forces.
• Expansion of Territory: Over the next few years, Yaqub Beg expanded his territory, securing the cities of Aksu and Khotan. His forces defeated Qing garrisons stationed in these regions, further weakening Qing authority in the area.
• Diplomacy and Military Strategy: Yaqub Beg used a mix of military prowess and diplomacy to maintain power. His strategic alliances with local chieftains, military commanders, and regional Muslim leaders helped secure his position in the region.

Qing Counteroffensive and Fall of Yettishar

By the mid-1870s, the Qing Dynasty had regained some stability under the leadership of General Zuo Zongtang, who was tasked with reconquering Xinjiang. Zuo’s forces launched a series of offensives against Yaqub Beg’s realm. Despite initial setbacks, Yaqub Beg’s state began to collapse after his sudden death in 1877 (possibly from poisoning). Without his leadership, Yettishar faltered, and Qing forces swiftly retook the region, bringing Xinjiang back under full Qing control.

The Qing reconquest of Xinjiang marked the end of the Xinjiang Campaign of 1871–1877 and the final suppression of Yaqub Beg's state. The fall of Yettishar was a significant moment in the consolidation of Qing rule over the western frontier.

Legacy

The Xinjiang Campaign of 1871–1877 remains an important chapter in the history of Central Asia and the Qing Empire. Yaqub Beg is remembered as a symbol of resistance against Qing imperialism. His brief establishment of Yettishar and his success in challenging Qing rule in Xinjiang left a lasting impact on the region. Though his state was short-lived, Yaqub Beg's military and political legacy influenced subsequent generations of Muslim leaders in the region and is still celebrated by some Central Asian and Uyghur communities.