Several possible explanations of this name have suggested themselves or
been suggested to me. I will mention two.
1. Klaproth states that the Mongols applied to Tibet the name of
Baron-tala, signifying the "Right Side," i.e. the south-west or south
quarter, whilst Mongolia was called Dzoehn (or Dzegun) Tala, i.e. the
"Left," or north-east side. It is possible that Chigin-talas might
represent Dzegun Tala in some like application. The etymology of
Dzungaria, a name which in modern times covers the territory of which we
are speaking, is similar.
2. Professor Vambery thinks that it is probably Chingin Tala, "The Vast
Plain." But nothing can be absolutely satisfactory in such a case except
historical evidence of the application of the name.
I have left the identity of this name undecided, though pointing to the
general position of the region so-called by Marco, as indicated by the
vicinity of the Tangnu-Ola Mountains (p. 215). A passage in the Journey of
the Taouist Doctor, Changchun, as translated by Dr. Bretschneider
(Chinese Recorder and Miss. Journ., Shanghai, Sept.-Oct., 1874, p. 258),
suggests to me the strong probability that it may be the Kem-kem-jut of
Rashiduddin, called by the Chinese teacher Kien-kien-chau.
