dogu-turkistan-sempozyumu

Important Crossroads and the Chinese Occupation in the History of Eastern Turkistan / Prof Alaeddin YalcinkayaChinese settlement areas in the Eastern Part. Therefore, the northeastern part ofIli is now in their hands and the influence of Atalik Gazi should be eliminated.That region is still known as the most chaotic region, where no chief has takenthe lead.” 14Yakub Beg, who captured Kuca in 1867, Korla 1869 and Turfan 1871,established complete hegemony and state order in the region. A truly independentstate emerged as Chinese hegemony ended in Eastern Turkistan. The founderand leader of the State, Amir Yakub, was the first strong and truly independentemperor in Asia in the last several centuries. 15Two British officers, Shaw and Hayward, who traveled to the newlyestablishedState of Kashgar, which brought together the Turkish statelets in theformer Manchu-ruled regions, were imprisoned after being interrogated by stateauthorities; they claimed that they were in the region to carry out trade studies onbehalf of the queen. They were released after diplomatic talks between the states.According to these two officers, who wanted to travel freely in a newly-establishedcountry that had ongoing border-conflicts, the Kashgar State was a completelycivilized region where peace and public order prevailed and where people couldlead their lives in safety and peace. 16 Such expressions in British documents areimportant vis-à-vis the real intentions behind the colonial mentality, which wasclaiming that they were bringing civilization to the region.Although Great Britain was ready to enter trade negotiations with theKashgar State, she actually wanted to enjoy free trade without any restrictions orpreconditions in these lands, as had been the case during the Manchu era. YakubBeg was so ambitious about establishing trade agreements that he providedaccommodation and security guarantees against any danger or threat on thesteppes to encourage merchants to come to Kashgar. The existence of such aguarantee was confirmed by the British representative. 17 Another important issueis that Yakub Beg, who became the ruler of Yarkent, Hoten and Kashgar, distractedthe attention of the Hokand and Buhara Khanates, who had suffered duringthe Russian invasions, away from the British onto himself. 18 Great Britain didnot assist any countries who had suffered from Russian invasions, but remained“masterly inactive” so that the occupation would be completed. Additionally, theBritish were extremely uneasy as the neighboring countries of India regarded297