Kazakh–Dzungar Wars

The Kazakh–Dzungar Wars were a series of military conflicts between the Kazakh Juzes (three tribal confederations of the Kazakh Khanate) and the Dzungar Khanate that took place between 1643 and 1756. These wars were driven by territorial competition, with the Dzungar Khanate seeking to expand its influence across Central Asia by conquering lands inhabited by the Kazakh nomads.

The conflict lasted over a century and was marked by frequent raids, shifting alliances, and prolonged periods of warfare. The Dzungars posed a significant threat not only to the Kazakhs but also to other neighboring powers, including the Central Asian khanates and the Russian Empire, which viewed the expansion of the Dzungars with concern.

The eventual decline of the Dzungar Khanate was due to internal instability, sustained resistance from the Kazakh side, and growing pressure from the Qing dynasty. In the mid-18th century, the Qing launched a series of campaigns against the Dzungars, culminating in the destruction of the Dzungar state. According to historical sources, a large portion of the Dzungar population perished during these campaigns, an event later referred to as the Dzungar genocide.