Overview
Tsewang Rabtan, son of Sengge, rebuilt the Dzungar Khanate after Galdan's defeat and made it the dominant power of Central Asia. Under him the Dzungars reached from the Irtysh to Tibet.
Rise to Power
He broke with his uncle Galdan in 1689 and held Dzungaria while Galdan fought the Qing. On Galdan's death in 1697 he became khan.
Rule and Achievements
- Fought a series of wars against the Kazakhs from 1698, pushing deep into their steppe
- His forces turned back a Russian expedition at Lake Zaysan in 1719–1720
- Sent his brother Tseren Dondub with 6,000 men to Tibet in 1717; they took Lhasa and killed Lhazang Khan, but were driven out by the Qing in 1720
Legacy
He died in 1727. A war between his sons followed, won by Galdan Tseren.