"Europeans" - Ethnic Minorities of European Descent in China :
The Russians, The Tatars and the Tajik are the only Chinese Ethnic Minorities of originally European descent. All three groups can be found in the far Western Xinjiang-Uygur Autonomous Region of China.
Tajik Ethnic Culture in China :
For all Information on Tajike (Sarikoli) and Tajik Ethnic Culture, please Read:
TAJIK ETHNIC MINORITY IN CHINA (Main Page)
TAJIK ETHNIC CULTURE & CUSTOMS IN CHINA

- Ethnic Minorities of China in General
- Islamic Minorities in China

HISTORY OF ISLAM IN CHINA (Main Page)
Tajik History since 1949 AD - The Peoples' Republic of China
History of the Tajik Ethnic Group in China :
Tajike, Tajiks in China :
The Tajiks (Chinese: 塔吉克族; pinyin: Tǎjíkè Zú), together with the Tatars and a small group of Ethnic Russians (Eluosi) are the Chinese Minorities of European Origin. The Tajiks have been roaming the extenses of Central Asia for countless generations becoming a distinct ethnic group of their own. However, according to research their origins mainly derive from Persia. The Pamir mountain tribes, including the Tajike are classified as Homo-Sapiens Alpinus, a distinct branch of the Human Tree all by themselves. Beyond this, scientific opinions conflict. The 19Th Century European explorer (Sir) Marcus Aurel Stein (and others) in his books referred to them simply as Sarikoli. Languages spoken in the area suggest there were originally multiple tribes, at least the Shugni and the Wakhi. Robert Shaw observed mainly Sarikolis and Wakhis, referring to the Tajiks collectively as Ghalchah. Today, the Tajiks live in Kyrgyzstan, the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and in the Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous Region. The Tajiks of China are ethnically closely related to the Tajiks in Badakhshan Province of Tajikistan and through the XX Pass are connected across the border. This pass is however closed since the 1980s and recently has become an exclusive military operational zone.
This page was last updated on: May 27, 2017
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The historic origins of the Tajik ethnic group can be traced to tribes speaking eastern Iranian Dialect who had settled in the eastern part of the Pamir Mountains more than twenty centuries ago.
During the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) a corridor from the Chinese Heartlands to the West was first opened by Han Emmissaries, eventually leading to the inclusion of Tashkurgan into the Han Empire. At the time Tashkurgan was known as Puli.
Building on the success of the Great Wall first constructed by the Empire of Chi'In (Qin) the Han Dynasty sent emissaries to the North-Western Regions where Oasis Cities and Independant Kingdoms held valuable Treasures and Commodities. After much effort these missions and several military campaigns in competition with the Xiong-Nu Tribes of the North resulted in the establishment of the first trading route west to Parthia in the 2nd Century BC, The Birth of the Silk Road.
Soon after Kasghar City (60 BC) was conquered by Han Troops
A Schematic Historic Map of Central Asia at around 100 BC, during the Time of the early Han Dynasty. The Pamir Mountains and Taxkorgan lie in a border area between Three Major Cultures: The Central Asian Cultures influenced by European Culture, The Indian and Indo-Scythian Cultures, and the arriving Chinese. Not depicted on the Map, the Xiong-Nu, or Mongols have been temporarily defeated by the Han, eliminating their presence in the Taklamakan Desert and Tarim River Basin.
were ruled by Mongols and various Central Asian Empires before returning once more to Chinese control in 1760 AD during the Qianlong Reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911 AD).

According to Chinese Historic Sources, in the 11th century, the nomadic Turkic tribes of the West referred to The Tribes of Central Asia that spoke an Iranian Language and where Muslims as "Tajiks". Henceforth the collection of Tribes with Iranian dialects eas henceforth named Tajiks.

Later during the wild years of the Yuan Dynasty (1271 AD - 1368 AD) Tashkurgan was incorporated into the Continent Wide Mongol Empire and resorted under the Chagatai Khanate. Mainly after the Death of Genghis Khan and return of peace to the Region, Tashkurgan and wider Xinjiang saw an influx of Islamic People, many of nomadic lifestyle move into Chinese Territory among which through the Pathways of the Ancient Silk Road.

During the 16Th Century and over the following Centuries, Tajik people who had lived in various areas of of the Western Pamir Mountains gradually moved westward to settle on the other side of the Wakhan Corridor, ending up in what today is Tashkurgan and nearby regions. Having common culture, customs and religious practice, here the Tajik Groups merged further through inter-marriage and so formed the ancestors of the present-day Tajik ethnic group living in Western Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.
Kashgar (Xinjiang-Uyghur AR, China)
At the advent of the Peoples Republic of China, the Tajik people were living in the remotest corner of the new Nation. Nearly untouched by any Modern developments they lived a traditional lifestyle in which they were mainly engaged in animal husbandry and farming. It was a semi-nomadic or nomadic lifestyle providing only a modest living. There were good seasons, and there were bad seasons. In all productivity was very low. Tajik Herdsmen often were unable to produce enough animal by-products to trade with locals in exchange for grain, tea, cloth and other necessities.
Apart from this the local economic culture provided for a large difference between rich and poor. There were large Herds with prosperous owners. There were succesful traders, however the majority of the Tajik herdsmen owned very small herds, so that they were unable to maintain even the lowest standard of living. At Times being barely able to feed their families. Still others had no animals at all and could only hire themselves out to the owners of larger herds as helping hands.
According to the Chinese View of history it was a state of feudal and capitalist suppression in which a small number of rich herdsmen ended up owning large flocks, and who -by force- held control of vast tracts of pasturage and fertile farmland.
"In the Tajik areas, the chief means of exploitation used by rich herd owners was hiring laborers, who received only one sheep and one lamb as pay for tending 100 sheep over a period of six months. The pay for tending 200 sheep for the herd owner for one year was just the wool and milk from 20 ewes. Herd owners also extorted free service from poor herdsmen through the tradition of "mutual assistance within the clan." Another problem were the huge taxes levied on the Tajik Herdsmen, at some times taking up near 3/4 of their production and leaving the Family near starving for an entire season or even year.
In the early 20Th Century, after the Fall of the Qing Dynasty, the region was controlled by Warlords, leading to a low-point in Tajik existence.
To pay for local armies and Wars, and luxuries for the Warlords and entourage there were all kinds of taxes and levies in both pastoral and rural areas. Especially during the 1947 AD - 1949 AD period, the Tajik herdsmen in Tashkurgan were forced to hand in more than 3,000 sheep and 500 tons of forage and firewood per year to their Masters. Poverty-stricken under heavy exploitation, the Tajik people were unable to make a decent living, and widespread diseases reduced their population to just about 7,000 when Xinjiang was "liberated" in December 1949 AD.    
Overview Map of Kashgar Region with Taxkorgan Town. Taxkorgan lies in a border area between 5 Countries.
Kashgar (Xinjiang-Uyghur AR, China)
Tashkurgan Town (Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang-Uyghur AR, China)
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Kashmir
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan
Kulma
Pass
Bedal
Pass
China
Kirgiz
Kirgiz
Kirgiz
Tajik
Uygur
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Xinjiang-Uygur Autonomous Region Shematic Map 2A
A Schematic overview Map of Xinjiang-Uygur Autonomous Region entire and large parts of neighboring Nations of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazachstan, Russia, The Republic of Mongolia, as well as Chinese Provinces and Territories of Inner-Mongolia AR, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province and Tibet Autonomous Region.
This Map Includes Cities and Towns (shown by size) - Main Ethnic Communities in Xinjiang AR, Main Monuments & landmarks of Xinjiang AR, the Taklamakan Desert in South-Central Xinjiang AR, major highways, provincial railroads, a variety of border passes in the Karakoram Mountain Range and the Tian Shan Mt. Range, plus main waterways, rivers and lakes of this large region. - Click Map to go to Full Version !
Xinjiang AR Schematic Overview
Wakhan Corridor
Chapaqal - Capital of Qap(a)chal Xibe Autonomous County, Yining Prefecture, Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Lake
Manas
Bayin'gholin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Taxkurghan
Tajik
Autonomous
County
Takskurghan Town + Tajik Autonomous County
Urumqi - Capital of Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Hami, Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Kashgar, Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Korla, Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Aksu, Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Niya (Minfeng), Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Yining, Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Kirgiz
Kirgiz
Kirgiz
Daur
Mongol
Kazakh
Kazakh
Kazakh
Uygur
Uygur
Uygur
Uygur
Xibe
Ozbek
Ozbek
Tajik
Mongol
Lake Balkash
Lake
Zaysan
Lake
Issik-Gul
Lake
Bosten
Lop
Nur
Taklamakan Desert
Jinghe', Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Emin (Dorbiljin), Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Yarkant (Yarkent or Shache), Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Artux - Kirghiz, Xinjiang-Uygur AR
Kirgiz
In a Latest round of development a new trade-route and border crossing has opened with the Badakhshan Region across the border in Tajikistan. This new Tajik-China trade route was opened in 2004, and runs between from Khorog, the administrative center of Badakhshan province in southeastern Tajikistan, over a high-altitude plateau, through Kulma Pass and then down into China, where it ends in the city of Kashgar, 700 kilometers away.
Until recently only a mere dirt track passing through the Mountains, this Trade Route is another section of the Ancient Silk Road that however had been closed for a long Time due to earlier historic tensions in the Region (China-USSR 1960's border problems, 1979 AD - 1988 AD Afghanistan War, early 1990's Tajik Civil War) as well as the extreme climates on this route. Because conditions are so tough at the Kulma border crossing – located on a mountain pass 4,400 meters high – the gateway only stays open 15 days out of every month, while from November through April it is closed altogether due to heavy snows.
Since re-opening of the Kulmar Pass the route has been so successful that Traders have already asked for a more permanent, around the clock opening of this vital transport road.

Reportedly in 2006 trade on the road already reached 400 million US dollars, creating numerous jobs both in Kashgar and Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, but equally across the border in otherwise landlocked Tajikistan. Ever since economic and cultural contacts between Chinese Tajiks and their kinfolk across the border have been reinvigorated.
Although today the main flow of transport is from China into Tajikistan, delivering much wanted consumer goods, the new Road is essential for the
ailing economy of secluded Badakshan Province. Plagued by heavy weather throughout the winter season, the Badakshan Province is essentially cut of from its national Capital at Dushanbe and main route of supply for nearly 1/3 of the year, at which time Badakhshan could only be reached through a high pass on the mountainous border with Kyrgyzstan. The new road from China provides for an added alternative supply route much needed to stock up for the long hard winters.
In the summer season Badakshan sees an large flow of travelers moving back and forth across the border. Along the beforehand barren and lifeless route, hotels, cafés and warehouses which have sprung up catering to passersby on this revived road.

At this Time constructions in order to improve the quality of the Road are ongoing. Since 2007 AD the section running from Khorog to Murgab has been rebuilt to enable travel for larger vehicles. A Chinese Consulate has been opened in Khorog to enable local Tajiki's to acquire VISA easily without having to travel to the Tajikistan Capital at Dushanbe first.
including the Tajik People into the Chinese Empire for the First Time.
Although Kashgar would become the last Bastion of Chinese Military Power, the Han exploits traced along the Silk Road much farther, in Time launching a Military Campaign against the City of Buchara (current day Uzbekistan) and establishing Han influence as far as the East Coast of the Caspian Sea.

Later during the Tang Dynasty Tashkurgan was a border town, lying just within Parthia, of which it was a protectorate. Nearby Kashgar however fell under Tang Dynasty Rule. Inside the Tang Dynasty Empire members of the Tajik Ethnic Group were referred to as "Cina-deva-gotra" (from Sanskrit; Chinese transcription: 至那提婆瞿呾羅, 支那提婆瞿怛羅, or 脂那提婆瞿怛羅). The name literally means "descendant of Han and the sun-god" (漢日天种 or 日漢天种).
The name originates from a story about a Persian (波利剌斯) Emperor (or Sultan) marrying a Chinese wife.
After the slow collapse of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD -907 AD) all of the Western Regions were lost from Chinese Control. During the following Centuries Kashgar and Tashkurgan
At the beginning of the 17Th Century Muslims in Central Asia suddenly reasserted themselves, uniting large parts of current day Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan (Altai Mountains and the Ili River Valley.) and Xinjiang AR under the Muslim Rule of the Dzungars, an alliance of Oirat Tribes, native to Western-most Mongolia. In the following period centuries old animosities between the Khalkha Mongols (East Mongolian Tribes) and the Oirats (a constellation of local Islamic Tribes with similar traits) and a third group, the Tibetans flared up in Xinjiang, leaving Tashkurgan to witness the Rise of the Dzungar East Turkestan Khanate. However, neither the Tibetans nor the Khalka's or Oirats would emerge Victorious and independent. It would the the fourth outside party who would win out, the Imperial Ching of China.
Between the Years 1755 and 1757 AD, Qing Dynasty Armies campaigned in the West with the aim of destroying the East Turkestan State and regaining the Western Territories once held by the Chinese (during the Han and Tang Dynasties). Independent East-Turkestan, the Eastern Section of Greater Turkestan, the Dzungar (Oirat) Muslim Khanate, is violently subdued after the capture of the Dzungar Khan in 1755 AD.
In the aftermath of the Death of their Supreme Tribal leader, Dzungar Tribes fight for their lives against overwhelming odds. 70 to 80% of the Dzungars, some 500 thousand to 800 thousand individuals, are massacred in a campaign of ethnic cleansing and cultural annihilation.  The Dzungars, finding their numbers exhausted, are finally defeated in 1759 AD at the Pamir Mountains and Tian Shan near Yarkent and Kashgar (in the vicinity of Tashkurgan).
Kashgar returned to Chinese Rule in the Year 1760 AD during the Qianlong Reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644 AD - 1911 AD).
- For More: See History of the Qing Dynasty and/or History of Islam in China during the Qing Dynasty.

In the late 18th century, Tsarist Russia took advantage of the turmoil in southern Xinjiang to occupy parts of the Ili River Valley (West-Central Xinjiang and Kazakhstan) and intensified its scheme to take control of the Pamirs of China by repeatedly sending in "expeditions" to pave the way for armed expansion there. In 1895 AD, Britain and Russia made a private deal to dismember the Pamirs and attempted to capture Puli (Tashkurgan). Together with the garrison troops, the Tajik people defended the border area against Russian Invasion and won a victory. At the same time, Tajik herdsmen volunteered to move to areas south of Puli, where they settled for land reclamation and animal husbandry while guarding the frontiers.

Between 1865 AD and 1877 AD the Western Regions saw a Revolt against Central (Han) Chinese Rule and Kashgar became the capital city of an independent Muslim state known as East Turkestan. The Independent Muslim State was established in the Tarim River Basin under Leadership on one Yakub Beg. The East Turkestan was violently subdued by the Ching Dynasty in later years, bloodily suppressing the local Muslim Tribes. Tashkurgan, just South of Kashgar was re-included into the Chinese Empire.

During the period between 1900 AD - 1940/45 AD, Chinese Xinjiang saw a modest but significant influx of Tajiks (and some other Ethnic Groups) from across the border. During the Stalinistic Era, political disasters struck across the large Soviet Union, often including Tribes in remote area's. A a result of political paranoia within the Soviet Union, the Muslim Tajiks especially those with Pashtun like dialects fell victim to persecution and many Tajik Families fled across the border, evading political and religious repression. Once in China, they joined their kinfolk near Kashgar.

Most recently a major archeological find was done near Takshkorgan Town. The new historic treasure unearthed was the ancient tomb of Xiang Bao Bao, which now counts as the oldest cultural relic ever discovered in these westernmost regions. Inside the 3,000-year-old Tomb were a variety of burial objects and ritual objects from which can be deduced that the Tajik ethnic group had existed as part of Ethnic Mix in the Wakhan Peninsula much more earlier then thought.
Needless to say, a lot has changed in the lifestyle and way of thinking of local Tribes, including the Tajiks, since the arrival of the Chinese Communist revolution. Among things, traditional tribal relations have been reset according to socialist standards. Furthermore, Central Government campaigns, starting in 1949 AD have given careful attention to the Tajik's development and Education.
In 1954 AD, the Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County was founded on the basis of the former Puli County where the Tajik ethnic group lived in compact communities.      

According to Chinese Government sources, at the time of "China’s national liberation in 1949 AD, Tashkurgan had only 27,000 animals, two per capita of the total population in the county; total grain output was 850 tons, 55 kg per capita.
However, since 1959 AD, the county has been self-sufficient in grain and fodder and able to deliver a large number of animals and quantities of furs and wool to the state each year. Several hundred hectares of new
pasture and grassland have been added in recent years.
There was no factory or workshop, nor any form of industry in Taxkorgan before 1949 AD. Even horseshoes had to be imported from other regions. Since the 1960's more than 10 small factories and handicraft workshops have been built, such as farm and animal husbandry machine factories, hydroelectric power stations and fur processing mills.
Mechanization of farming and animal husbandry has expanded. Veterinary stations have been built in most communities. Tajiks have been trained as veterinarians and agro-technicians. Tractors are being used in more than half of the land in the county. One breed of sheep developed by the Tajik herdsmen is among the best in Xinjiang".

In addition to seeking improvements in the production methods of the Tajik, there have been massive improvements in infra-structure, for the first Time truly connecting Tashkurgan and opening it up to the outside world.
Even in Chinese Terms Tashkurgan was a backward, out-of-the-way area before 1949 AD, when it would take a fortnight by riding a camel or a week on horseback to reach Kashgar (Kashi), the largest city in south-western Xinjiang-Yughur Autonomous Region. As a first step, in 1958 AD, the Kashi-Taxkorgan Highway was completed, shortening the trip between the two places to only one day.
Ever since many more infra-structure projects have unlocked the Western Regions of China. Not only within Xinjiang (and Gansu province) have roads and even airports been built. Since 1978 AD, the Kashi-Taxkorgan Highway has been extended into the Karakoram Highway (KKH), clearing a direct road from Tashkurgan all the Way to Islamabad in Pakistan. The new highway has brought many new cultural influxes as it has become famous among International Adventurers. Although recently, a world terrorism scare has reduced numbers of travelers, Tashkurgan has seen many. Most travel by Bus to- and from Kashgar and Islamabad along the way. Others even attempt this stretch by bicycle. The influx of tourists and travelers has added to the diversity of the local economy infusing hard-needed currency as well new outside idea's.

Since 1959 AD, schools have been set up in all villages, and roaming tent schools have been run for herdsmen's children. Many young Tajiks have been trained as workers, technicians, doctors and teachers.

Once a remote enclave on 3 sides flanked by some of the highest mountains in the world, Taxkorgan Town itself has prospered since the 1990's. The new road connections have boosted regional trade, influx of tourist money as well as investments in Local Ethnic Industries have altered the Town Community and Landscape. In the town of Tashkurgan, the county seat, wide streets link shops, the hospital, schools, the post office, bank, bookstore, meteorological station and other new buildings in traditional architectural style. Tourist buzz near new Hotels and new factories are under construction. Great changes have also taken place in many the many mountain hamlets outside of Town. In many places shops thrive and healthcare clinics in support of the local population have been built.

The Tajik people's living standards have improved considerably with the steady growth of the local economy. A growing number of herdsman households have bought radios, Satellite TV and even Internet.
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This page was last updated on: May 27, 2017
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