Map Introduction

I. Establishment Background and Early Structure (1368–1424)

The Ming dynasty implemented the "Seven Guards beyond Jiayu Pass" system in the Northwestern frontier, among which the Hami Guard (established in 1406) served as a strategic stronghold for controlling the Western Regions. The Yongle Emperor, Zhu Di, enfeoffed the Yuan descendant noble Angke Temür as the "Zhongshun Wang" (Loyal and Obedient Prince) and established a joint military-civil administration led by three major ethnic groups – the Muslim (Huihui), Uyghur (Weiwuer), and Halahui. This created a hegemonic rule model of "using non-Chinese peoples to control other non-Chinese peoples." The Hami Guard was responsible for translating tributary memorials, monitoring the movements of the Oirats and Turpan, and thus acted as a military bulwark at the throat of the Silk Road.

II. Crises from the Zhengtong to the Chenghua Reigns (1439–1487) * Oirat Incursions: In 1443, Esen of the Oirats captured Hami, took the mother and wife of the Zhongshun Wang captive, and forced the Hami ruler into submission. * Rise of Turpan: In 1463, Sultan Ali of Turpan captured Hami city for the first time. The Zhongshun Wang's mother, Nuwen Dashili, led the people in retreat to Kuqu. * Repeated Contention: In 1468, Han Shen, allied with the Handong and Chijin Guards, launched a night attack and briefly recaptured Hami. However, Turpan continued to control the area multiple times thereafter.

III. Final Loss during the Jiajing Reign (1529–1644)

In 1513, Mansur of Turpan forced the Hami ruler Baiyali to surrender. Although the Ming court debated abandoning Hami in 1529, it was ultimately relinquished during the Jiajing reign. Some Hami inhabitants migrated inland to Suzhou, marking the end of the Ming dynasty's strategic management of the Western Regions.

IV. Historical Impact

The rise and fall of the Hami Guard reflects the evolution of the Ming dynasty's frontier policy: from proactive engagement in the Yongle period to passive defense in the mid and late periods. Its integrated military-civil administration provided a reference for Qing dynasty governance in Xinjiang.