Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Languages | |
Ordos Mongolian | |
Religion | |
Predominantly Tibetan Buddhism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Mongols, Mongols in China, Ordos Mongols |
The Shar Darkhad, Dalhut,[1] or Darhut[2] (Mongolian for "Untouchables",[3] "Protected Ones"; Chinese: 达尔扈特, pinyin: Dá'ěrhùtè) are a subgroup of Mongol people living mainly in Inner Mongolia in northern China.[2]
In 1947, 2071 people from 462 households were eligible to be Darkhad.[4] They were liable for maintaining the Great Khan's mausoleum at their own expense prior to the erection of a permanent government-owned structure in 1954–6.[4] The Darkhad believe they are the direct descendants of the soul guards of Genghis Khan.[5]