Tibet History

It’s said that Tibetan’s history could be dating back to the 2000 years ago. But, the written history only dates back to the 7th century. Generally speaking, Tibet history can be divided into several periods.

The first period is from the 7th to the 10th century. In the seventh century the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo unified the tribes on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and established the Tubo Dynasty. The princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty married Songtsen Gampo in 641, after which the Tang emperor conferred on him the titles of “Imperial Son-in-Law Governor”, “West Sea Prince” and “Treasured Prince.”

The second period is the 13th century. It is in the Yuan dynasty, at the moment Tibet become an administrative Region of China. At first, Temujin (Genghis Khan), who succeeded in conquering other independent tribes and local forces and he founded the Mongol Khanate. Then Sakya Pandita who is the chief of the Sakya Buddhist sect in Tibet and his nephew Phagpa conferred with the Mongol Prince Godan. Afterwards, Kublai Khan who is Genghis khan’s grandson granted Phagpa the title of “Imperial Tutor”. The combination of temporal and spiritual authority in the Tibetan local regime was initiated. Then Kublai Khan named his state the Yuan dynasty.

From the 14th to the 17th century is the third period. It’s in Ming dynasty. The master of Ming dynasty created the governorship for U-Tsang and a Marshal’s Headquarters and granted all kinds of new offices and titles of honor to officials and dignitaries in the Tibetan areas.

From the 17th to the 20th century is the fourth period. The Qing Imperial Court improved the administration of Tibet, having a close connection with Tibet. For instance, in 1653 the fifth Dalai Lama was granted as “Buddha of Great Compassion in the West”, “Leader of the Buddhist Faith beneath the Sky” and “Holder of the Vajra”. And in 1713 the master of Qing dynasty granted the 5th Panchen Lama, called him “Panchen Erdeni” as well as gold.

In 1951 Tibet obtained peaceful liberation, the Local Government of Tibet and the Central People’s Government signed “The Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet”, which got the support of the fourteenth Dalai Lama and the Tenth Panchen Erdeni. Then Autonomous Region was set up by Chinese government in 1959.