A Study On The South-north Roads In The West Tian Shan: From The Middle Of 18th Century To 19th Century

Xinjiang is divided into Tian Shan Beilu and Tian Shan Nanlu in Qing dynasty, after the Qing army recovered Xinjiang, in order to facilitate the connection between the Beilu and Nanlu ,Qing dynasty opened three more important north-south roads in west Tian Shan. If arrange them from west to east, they are'the grass road of Nar?n','the road to Ush from Ili'and'Musullin road'.The Nar?n road start from Ili, along Temurtu(Issyk-kul), through Kirghiz pastoral areas, over the Nar?n River, finally get to Kashghar. Qing army tried to use it in 1758, but failed. Judging from the documents, this route is very likely abandoned in later period of Qianlong or period of Jiaqing, when Qing resolved the rebellion of Jahāngī, in order to keep Xingjiang's peace, although this route caused the attention of the Qing dynasty, to reused the road still in failure. In order to deal with Yūsuf's invasion, which was supported by Kokand, the last batch of about 2,500 troops through this road arrived in Kashghar in 1830. Then the rotating troops shift to Ush road and Musullin road. Its abandoned reason refer to dangerous road, the difficulty supply on the way, the convenience of Musullin road, the decline of the Qing, the expansion of Kokand and other factors.The road to Ush (Uch or Uchturfan)start from the Iqehabuhak karun in Ili, to the south, through eastern mountainous area of Issyk-kul, then climb the Gūgütlük hill, can arrive in Ush. In 1755, Qing army once chased Dwachi by this road. In 1828, it was banned, two years later, the rotating troops to Kashghar walked this road, but it was banned again after one year. Depending on the research, we can confirm that Uch road is just the Dwachi's escape route.Musullin road(Muzar pass) is one convenient route which started from Ili to Aqsu(Aksu)through which climbing required to get over the Ice Dawan. In addition, fourteen juntai(army station) were established, its length is about 1200 Ii(600 kilometers). It is famous for Musur dawan(Ice ridge), it also regarded North-south thoughfare in Qing literatures. In 1755,the captured Dwachi was transferred to Qing army by this route, then it was used until the end of Qing dynasty. In the early period of Tongzhi, Musullin road was destroyed in one great social upheaval. After Qing army recovered Xinjiang, Shakedoulinzhabu went to southern Xinjiang for boundary settlement through this route, and this marks Musullin road's reuseing. After Xinjiang province was established, juntai still existed on the half of northern part, but juntai was changed to yizhan(post-stage) on the half of southern part, and provided officer in charge of post-stage, hostler, horse and funds. Its Main function is military aspects ,for instance, quickly dealing with unrest in Nanlu; of course, the objects of transportation to Ili, blocking and capture the criminals and early tuntian in Ili and so on.