Across the Roof of the World. 



introduced, and the Chinese therefore despatched colonists of 

 the criminal and other classes from Manchuria and the western 

 provinces of China, and brought in numbers of people from 

 Kashgaria, termed Taranchis. The latter now form a consider- 

 able proportion of the population of the Hi Valley and its vicinity. 

 With the object of safeguarding the country forts and military 

 posts were erected, and the seat of government appointed at Hi, 

 or Manchu Kulja, some distance west of the present town. In 

 1771 occurred the famous migration of the Kalmuks from the 

 Volga in European Russia, who had removed thither at the 

 time of the troubles amongst the Oirat, and of which mention has 

 been made heretofore, to the country of Dzungaria in the hope 

 of there finding independent settlement. On arrival and finding 

 they must submit to Chinese domination they took up their 

 quarters in the Hi Valley and recognised the ruling power. 



As might have been expected from a country thus peopled 

 internal dissension became rife and the Chinese had much diffi- 

 culty in subduing the rebellions which broke out amongst the 

 various sections of the population. This culminated in 1864 in 

 an insurrection on the part of the Tungans, who captured the 

 city of Urumchi and massacred 130,000 Chinese and Manchus. 

 The Chinese army sent against the rebels was defeated, and 

 later the Taranchis, uniting with the Tungans, carried on the 

 revolution, killing large numbers of Chinese in the fighting which 

 followed. 



In 1867 these two allies disagreed, and in a battle fought near 

 Kulja the Tungans were defeated and their leader killed. The 

 country was in a disturbed and lawless condition, and the internal 

 strife and bloodshed resulting therefrom, induced Russia tf) 

 occupy the territory with the object of restoring order, an occu- 

 pation that took place in 1871. 



The advent of Russia terminated the chaotic state of affairs, 

 and ten years later, order having been established and tranquillity 

 reigning in the land, it was restored to China on the payment of 

 a ransom and the cession of certain territory down the Hi Valley. 



298 



