원대 말기~北元의 重臣 카라장(哈剌章) 小考

Abstract

This paper has examined the career of Qarajang(哈剌章), who appears in historical records from the Late Yuan to the Northern Yuan period. In the historical records such as Yuan History, several figures named Qarajang in the late Yuan Dynasty appeared. Two Qarajangs, which are notable in terms of political activities, could be examined in more detail. One was the son of Toγto(脫脫). He lived in the core of the court since he was a child but was exiled due to Toγto’s denunciation. Later, Huizong(惠宗) admitted that Toγto was innocent and summoned to the imperial court. Another Qarajang is captain of Kesik Qarajang, who was appointed to zhishumiyuanshi(知樞密院事). It can be confirmed that this Qarajang was active in confrontation with Ming during the Northern Yuan period. Qarajang escaped from Daidu(大都) by escorting Huizong, and his status rose as he became the powerful bureaucrat of the Northern Yuan. From the early 1370s, he formed power base in Liaodong(遼東) and Mongolia and emerged from the battle against Ming. Hongwu(洪武) Emperor also recognized that Qarajang was a key member of the Northern Yuan. Until 1378, political situation of Northern Yuan continued a tense confrontation with Ming dynasty, and Qarajang was one of the pillars of maintaining the power of the Northern Yuan. However, since Ayushiridara’s death in 1378, unity within the Northern Yuan appears to have been increasingly disrupted. By the 1380s, Ming began to push the Northern Yuan more aggressively. Eventually, Naγaču who was one of the key warlords of Northern Yuan surrendered to Ming in 1387, and Qarajang run away to Qaraqorum. In 1388 after being attacked by Ming army, Qarajang’s power was almost lost. Qarajang’s sons and nephew surrendered to the Ming Dynasty. Qarajang’s whereabouts after the battle of 1388 are unknown. Qarajang disappeared from history with the collapse of the Northern Yuan in 1388.