Jebtsundamba Khutuktu
In April 1910, Badamdorj moved to protect Mongolian lamas after a riot erupted near Gandan Monastery between lamas and Chinese merchants. As part of Qing efforts to increase Han control over Mongol territory and reign in the Buddhist hierarchy, the Qing emperor Puyi issued a decree removing Badamdorj as "Shanzav" and transferring his authority to the Qing "Amban" (viceroy) Sando. Despite this, Badamdorj was not a supporter of Mongolian independence and when the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu sent secret delegation of Khalkha nobles to St. Petersburg in 1911 to seek Russian backing for independence, Badamdorj revealed the mission to Sando.