Eurasian Crossroads: A History of XinjiangEurasian Crossroads is the first comprehensive history of Xinjiang, the vast central Eurasian region bordering India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. Forming one-sixth of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Xinjiang stands at the crossroads between China, India, the Mediterranean, and Russia and has, since the Bronze Age, played a pivotal role in the social, cultural, and political development of Asia and the world. Xinjiang was once the hub of the Silk Road and the conduit through which Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam entered China. It was also the point at which the Chinese, Turkic, Tibetan, and Mongolian empires communicated and struggled with one another. Xinjiang's population comprises Kazakhs, Kirghiz, and Uighurs, all Turkic Muslim peoples, as well as Han Chinese, and competing Chinese and Turkic nationalist visions continue to threaten the region's political and economic stability. Besides separatist concerns, Xinjiang's energy resources, strategic position, and rapid development have gained it international attention in recent decades. Drawing on primary sources in several Asian and European languages, James Millward presents a thorough study of Xinjiang's history and people from antiquity to the present and takes a balanced look at the position of Turkic Muslims within the PRC today. While offering fresh material and perspectives for specialists, this engaging survey of Xinjiang's rich environmental, cultural, and ethno-political heritage is also written for travelers, students, and anyone eager to learn about this vital connector between East and West. |
Contents
Ancient Encounters earliest times8th century | 1 |
Central Eurasia Ascendant 9th16th centuries | 40 |
Between Islam and China 16th19th centuries | 78 |
Between Empire and Nation late 19thearly 20th century | 124 |
Between China and the Soviet Union 1910s1940s | 178 |
In the Peoples Republic of China 1950s1980s | 235 |
Between China and the World 1990s2000s | 285 |
Balancing Acts | 356 |
Xinjiang Historical Timeline | 373 |
| 383 | |
| 413 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Aqsu army Asian autonomy Beijing Bingtuan Buddhist Bughra campaign cent Central Asia century Chaghatayid Cultural Revolution dynasty early east economic élites empire ethnic Eurasia forces Gansu Ghulja groups Guomindang Hami Han Chinese imperial Islamic jiang Kashgar Kazak khaghanate Khan Khoja Khoqand Khotan Kirghiz Kucha land later leaders Manchu merchants military Millward Ming minzu Moghulistan Mongol Mongolia mosque Muslim Nationalist nomads non-Han northern numbers oases officials organisation Pamirs party political population province Qara Khitay Qarakhanids Qing Qocho rebellion River rule rulers Russian schools Sheng Sheng Shicai Silk Road Soghdian southern Xinjiang Soviet Union steppe Tang Tarim Basin Tianshan Tibet Tibetan tion trade Transoxiana troops Tungans Turfan Turfan Basin Türk Turkic Urumchi Uyghur Wang Western Xinjiang Xinjiang region Xiongnu Ya'qub Beg Yang Zengxin Yarkand Yili valley Yu Taishan Yuan Yuezhi Zhang Zungharia Zunghars