The
History of Xinjiang (新疆) concerns two main geographically, historically, and ethnically distinct regions with different historical names:
Dzungaria north of the
Tianshan Mountains; and the
Tarim Basin south of the Tianshan Mountains, currently mainly inhabited by the
Uyghurs. They were renamed
Xinjiang (
新疆) in 1884, meaning "new frontier," when both regions were reconquered by the Chinese
Qing dynasty after the
Dungan revolt (1862–1877).
This was followed by the
Uyghur Khaganate in the 8th-9th century. Uyghur power declined, and three main regional kingdoms vied for power around Xinjiang, namely the Buddhist Uyghur
Kara-Khoja, the Turkic Muslim
Kara-Khanid, and the Iranian Buddhist Khotan. Eventually, the Turkic Muslim Kara-Khanids prevailed and
Islamized the region. In the 13th century was part of the
Mongol Empire, where-after Turkic people prevailed again.
In the 18th century, the area was conquered by the Chinese
Qing dynasty. In 1884, after the
Dungan revolt (1862–1877), the area was renamed Xinjiang is now a part of the
People's Republic of China, despite resistance of the local population.
The region was never China's...Nor was their culture! So since 1884 they have had their culture...Why is China changing it? West isnt changing China...China itself is making changes on anything that doesnt look Chinese!