After the death of Ayuka Khan in 1724, the political situation among the Kalmyks became unstable as various factions sought to be recognized as Khan.
The Tsarist government also gradually chipped away at the autonomy of the Kalmyk Khanate.
These policies, for instance, encouraged the establishment of Russian and German settlements on pastures the Kalmyks used to roam and feed their livestock.
In addition, the Tsarist government imposed a council on the Kalmyk Khan, thereby diluting his authority, while continuing to expect the Kalmyk Khan to provide cavalry units to fight on behalf of Russia.
The Russian Orthodox church, by contrast, pressured many Kalmyks to adopt Orthodoxy.
By the mid-17th century, Kalmyks were increasingly disillusioned with settler encroachment and interference in its internal affairs.

In the winter of 1770-1771, Ubashi Khan, the great-grandson of Ayuka Khan and the last Kalmyk Khan, decided to return his people to their ancestral homeland, Dzungaria, then under control of the Qing dynasty.
The Dalai Lama was contacted to request his blessing and to set the date of departure.
 After consulting the astrological chart, the Dalai Lama set the return date, but at the moment of departure, the weakening of the ice on the Volga River permitted only those Kalmyks who roamed on the eastern bank to leave.
Those on the right bank were forced to stay behind.

Under Ubashi Khan's leadership, approximately 200,000 Kalmyks began the journey from their pastures on the left bank of the Volga River to Dzungaria.
Approximately five-sixths of the Torghut tribe followed Ubashi Khan.
 Most of the Khoshuts, Choros and Khoits also accompanied the Torghuts on their journey to Dzungaria.
The Dörbet tribe, by contrast, elected not to go at all.
The Kalmyks who resettled in Qing territory became known as Torghuts.
While the first phase of their movement became the Old Torghuts, the Qing called the later Torghut immigrants "New Torghut".
The size of the departing group has been variously estimated 169 000 human, with perhaps as many as six million animals (cattle, sheep, horses, camels and dogs).
 Beset by raids, thirst and starvation, approximately 70,000 survivors made it to Dzungaria.

After failing to stop the flight, Catherine the Great abolished the Kalmyk Khanate, transferring all governmental powers to the Governor of Astrakhan.
The title of Khan was abolished.
The highest native governing office remaining was the Vice-Khan, also recognized by the government as the highest ranking Kalmyk prince.
By appointing the Vice-Khan, the Tsarist government was now permanently the decisive force in Kalmyk government and affairs.
After the death of Ayuka Khan in 1724, the political situation among the Kalmyks became unstable as various factions sought to be recognized as Khan. The Tsarist government also gradually chipped away at the autonomy of the Kalmyk Khanate. These policies, for instance, encouraged the establishment of Russian and German settlements on pastures the Kalmyks used to roam and feed their livestock. In addition, the Tsarist government imposed a council on the Kalmyk Khan, thereby diluting his authority, while continuing to expect the Kalmyk Khan to provide cavalry units to fight on behalf of Russia. The Russian Orthodox church, by contrast, pressured many Kalmyks to adopt Orthodoxy. By the mid-17th century, Kalmyks were increasingly disillusioned with settler encroachment and interference in its internal affairs.
In the winter of 1770-1771, Ubashi Khan, the great-grandson of Ayuka Khan and the last Kalmyk Khan, decided to return his people to their ancestral homeland, Dzungaria, then under control of the Qing dynasty. The Dalai Lama was contacted to request his blessing and to set the date of departure.  After consulting the astrological chart, the Dalai Lama set the return date, but at the moment of departure, the weakening of the ice on the Volga River permitted only those Kalmyks who roamed on the eastern bank to leave. Those on the right bank were forced to stay behind.
Under Ubashi Khan's leadership, approximately 200,000 Kalmyks began the journey from their pastures on the left bank of the Volga River to Dzungaria. Approximately five-sixths of the Torghut tribe followed Ubashi Khan.  Most of the Khoshuts, Choros and Khoits also accompanied the Torghuts on their journey to Dzungaria. The Dörbet tribe, by contrast, elected not to go at all. The Kalmyks who resettled in Qing territory became known as Torghuts. While the first phase of their movement became the Old Torghuts, the Qing called the later Torghut immigrants "New Torghut". The size of the departing group has been variously estimated 169 000 human, with perhaps as many as six million animals (cattle, sheep, horses, camels and dogs).  Beset by raids, thirst and starvation, approximately 70,000 survivors made it to Dzungaria.
After failing to stop the flight, Catherine the Great abolished the Kalmyk Khanate, transferring all governmental powers to the Governor of Astrakhan. The title of Khan was abolished. The highest native governing office remaining was the Vice-Khan, also recognized by the government as the highest ranking Kalmyk prince. By appointing the Vice-Khan, the Tsarist government was now permanently the decisive force in Kalmyk government and affairs.
Kalmyk Khanate