The Study On Garrison System Of Shaanxi-Gansu Green Standard Army In Qing Dynasty From The Perspective Of Military History And Geography

Green Standard Army(referred to as "GSA")is an important part of the military force in Qing dynasty,which is regarded as the two major military forces of Qing dynasty together with the Eight Banners Army(referred to as "EBA").After the Qing army entered the Shanhaiguan,GSA was successively established throughout the country to safeguard the Qing government’s local rule.Shaanxi-Gansu region,as an important region in the northwest,is one of the earliest places to set up GSA garrison in Qing dynasty.Taking Shaanxi-Gansu GSA as the research object,this paper discusses and analyzes the development and evolution,spatial distribution pattern and role of Shaanxi-Gansu GSA in Qing dynasty from the perspective of regional military history and geography.Shaanxi-Gansu GSA experienced a complicated process of rise and fall from its establishment in 1645 to its abolition in the late Qing dynasty,including its establishment in Shunzhi period,its adjustment in Kangxi period,its development in fighting battles in northwest and its decline after Jiadao period.At the same time of development and evolution,the distribution of garrison troops,the selection of garrison locations and the spatial scope of garrison in Shaanxi-Gansu GSA are also changing,showing distinct characteristics of garrison deployment.The relationship between Shaanxi-Gansu Garrison EBA and Garrison GSA is not a simple mutual supervision.The Qing government tried to infiltrate and control GSA by using the EBA officers to supplement GSA.Not only that,the Qing government also took the vacancy in GSA as a way to solve the livelihood problem of the EBA soldiers.Shaanxi-Gansu region,as a military channel for the Qing government to fight in the northwest,is in an important position as a strategic base in the northwest border defense system in Qing dynasty.In addition to providing a steady recruitment of troops,Shaanxi-Gansu region also shouldered the important task of transporting grain and salaries.After the Qing government unified Xinjiang,the Shaanxi-Gansu GSA soldiers and their families who went to Xinjiang to garrison and reclaim make important contributions to the economic development of Xinjiang and the security of China’s northwest frontier.Rises and falls can be learnt from history.The study of Shaanxi-Gansu GSA helps us to deeply understand the jurisdiction and governance of the frontier areas in Qing dynasty and provides historical wisdom for improving the governance level of the northwest frontier areas.