Tsewang Rabtan (died 1727) was a Choros-Oirat prince and the Khun Tayishi of the Dzungar Khanate from 1697 (following the death of his uncle and rival Galdan) until his death in 1727.
Early years edit
Tsewang Rabtan's father was Sengge, Galdan's brother.
Galdan tried to have him assassinated in 1688, but only managed to kill Tzewang Rabtan's brother. Following this incident, Tzewang Rabtan rebelled openly against Galdan, forcing him to bring some troops back from Khalkha territory.
The Qing dynasty (then ruled by the Kangxi emperor) supported Tzewang Rabtan against Galdan.
As leader of the Dzungars edit
The territory and people Tzewang Rabdan led were caught between the Qing empire in the east and the Russian advance in the northwest. Despite attempts from both sides to obtain Dzungar submission or alliance in other conflicts, Tzewang Rabdan maintained Dzungar autonomy throughout his reign.
Relations with Russia edit
Russian advances in the Krasnoyarsk area worried the Dzungars, who attacked the Russians. Tzewang Rabdan consistently opposed the building of Russian fortresses in the area.
Relations with the Qing edit
[[Category:Kalmykia]] [[Category:1727 deaths]]