Definition
The Choros (also rendered as Choros, Chörös, or Čoroš) were a prominent Oirat Mongol tribe that played a leading role in the political and military affairs of the Oirat confederation, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. Members of the Choros clan supplied most of the ruling elite of the Dzungar Khanate, the most powerful Oirat state of the period.
Overview
The Oirats, a group of western Mongol tribes, formed a loose confederation that included several major clans such as the Khoshut, Dörbet, Torghut, and Choros. By the early 17th century, the Choros had emerged as the dominant clan within this alliance. Their ascendancy was marked by the rise of influential leaders like Erdeni Batur (d. 1670) and Galdan Boshugtu Khan (1644–1697), who unified the Oirat tribes and established the Dzungar Khanate (circa 1634–1757) in the region that today encompasses parts of western Mongolia, Xinjiang (China), and Kazakhstan.
The Choros‑led Dzungar state engaged in frequent conflicts with neighboring powers, including the Qing dynasty of China, the Kazakh Khanates, and the Russian Empire. After a series of wars, the Qing conquest in the mid‑18th century led to the dissolution of the Dzungar Khanate and the dispersal or assimilation of many Choros peoples.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Choros” is derived from the Oirat/Mongolic word čoru or čorǝs, which is believed to mean “black” or “dark,” possibly referencing traditional clan colors or totemic symbols. Some scholars suggest a connection to the Mongolian term čer, meaning “to separate” or “to divide,” indicating an early clan’s distinction from other Oirat groups. Precise linguistic origins remain a subject of scholarly debate, and no single definitive etymology is universally accepted.
Characteristics
- Political Influence: The Choros clan provided the majority of Dzungar khans and high‑ranking nobles, exercising central authority over the confederation’s military campaigns and diplomatic relations.
- Military Organization: Choros warriors were renowned for their cavalry tactics, employing composite bows, lances, and later, firearms acquired through trade with Russian and Chinese merchants.
- Socio‑economic Basis: Like other nomadic Mongol groups, the Choros practiced pastoralism, herding horses, sheep, and cattle across the steppe. Their wealth was measured in livestock, horse breeding, and control of trade routes linking Central Asia with East Asia.
- Cultural Practices: The Choros adhered to Tibetan Buddhism, which became the state religion of the Dzungar Khanate in the 17th century. They also retained shamanistic rituals, and their oral literature included epic songs (khuur) describing tribal history and heroic deeds.
- Legacy: Following the Qing defeat of the Dzungars, surviving Choros families were resettled in northern Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Inner Mongolia. Contemporary descendants maintain distinct clan identities within Mongolian and Oirat diaspora communities.
Related Topics
- Oirats – the broader confederation of western Mongol tribes.
- Dzungar Khanate – the state founded and ruled predominantly by the Choros clan.
- Galdan Boshugtu Khan – a notable Choros leader who expanded Dzungar power.
- Qing conquest of the Dzungars – the series of campaigns that ended Choros dominance.
- Tibetan Buddhism among Mongols – the religious tradition adopted by the Choros and other Oirat groups.
This entry reflects the current scholarly consensus on the Choros tribe within Oirat history.