Legal systems and Social Order in 18th century Qing Frontier -Legal structure and the Role of Lishi Ting in Inner Mongolia-

This paper explores Qing governance and ethnic relations in 18th-century Inner Mongolia, focusing on administrative and judicial responses to Han Chinese migration, transforming the region into a semi-agrarian society and heightening Mongol-Han conflicts. It examines the role of the Lishi Ting (理事廳) in Inner Mongolia, discussing the diversity and flexibility of the Qing Empire's administrative and judicial system. Additionally, it reviews Qing government discussions and regulations on judicial procedures in the region. Through analysis of the annual trial records, it seeks to understand legal practices within Inner Mongolian society and the central-peripheral relations of the Qing Empire. The Lishi Ting, managed by Lishi Tongzhi (理事同知) or Tongpan (通判), mediated disputes among Bannermen, Han Chinese, and Mongolians, reflecting the Qing's multi-ethnic governance approach. As part of Qing reforms, the Lishi Ting collaborated with various entities to handle not only Mongol-Han conflicts but also intra Mongolian disputes. This study uncovers Qing ethnic and regional governance intricacies, emphasizing the strategic interaction between the empire's center and periphery through judicial discourse and regulations analysis.