Tibet history
(en.tibet.cn)
Updated: 2005-08-22 14:06

From the 7th to the 10th century

In the Tang Dynasty: Close Relations between Tibet and Central China

The friendly relations between the Tibetan nationality and the Han nationality of the main areas of China can be traced to ancient times, as is proved by archaeological findings and historical documents in Tibetan and Chinese. In the seventh century the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo unified the tribes on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and established the Tubo Dynasty. King Songtsen Gampo married Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty in 641, after which the Tang emperor conferred on him the titles of "Imperial Son-in-Law Governor", "West Sea Prince", and "Treasured Prince."

In the 13th century

In the Yuan Dynasty Tibet Became an administrative Region of China

In the thirteenth century Temujin (Genghis Khan), who succeeded in subjugating other independent tribes and local forces, founded the Mongol Khanate. In 1247 Sakya Pandita, the chief of the Sakya Buddhist sect in Tibet, and his nephew Phagpa, conferred with the Mongol Prince Godan, grandson of Genghis khan, at Liangzhou (in present-day Gansu province) on problems concerning Tibet giving its allegiance to the MongolKhanate. On his accession to the throne in 1260, Kublai Khan granted Phagpa the title of "Imperial Tutor" as well as a jade seal symbolizing the politico-religious power over Tibet, with which Phagpa was entrusted. This initiated the combination of temporal and spiritual authority in the Tibetan local regime. In 1271 Kublai Khan named his state the Yuan dynasty. In 1279 he unified China's entire territory. It was then that Tibet became an administrative region under the direct jurisdiction of the central government of China.

From the 14th to the 17th century

The Ming Imperial Court's Administration of Tibet
In the Ming Dynasty the policy towards Tibet mainly continued that of the previous Yuan Dynasty. The governorship for U-Tsang and a Marshal's Headquarters were created. The system of official posts in Tibet ranking from commanders, commissioners to wan hu, qian hu, and bai hu was improved. Officials in Tibet were appointed by the central government. In carrying out a pacificatory policy, the Ming Dynasty granted various new offices and titles of honor to officials and dignitaries in the Tibetan areas. Thus the title of "Prince of Dharma" was granted to Khon Drakpa of the Sakya sect, "Prince of Great Treasure" to Karma Lama of the Kagyupa sect, "Prince of the Western Deities and Grand Imperial Tutor" and later "The Great Compassionate Prince of the Dharma" to Shakya Yeshe of the Gelugpa (Yellow-Hat) sect. Among many other titles of honor were those of "Initiation State Tutor", "Promotion Prince of Virtue", "Guardian Prince of the Doctrine", "Propagation Prince of the Doctrine".

From the 17th to the 20th century

The Qing Imperial Court Improving the Administration of Tibet
Under the succeeding Qing dynasty, the central government of China further strengthened its administration of Tibet. In 1652 the fifth Dalai Lama paid his respects in Beijing to the emperor, who, in the following year, granted him the title of "Buddha of Great Compassion in the West, Leader of the Buddhist Faith Beneath the Sky, Holder of the Vajra, the Dalai Lama" and a certificate on sheets of gold inscribed and a gold seal of authority. In 1713 the 5th Panchen Lama was granted the title of "Panchen Erdeni" as well as gold. From that time on, the Qing central government officially recognized the political and religious status and powers of the Dalai and Panchen Lamas.

From 1912 to 1949

The Nationalist Government Safeguards China's Sovereignty over Tibet

In 1912, after the founding of the Republic of China, the central government termed itself a republic of five nationalities -Han, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, and Tibetan - with a unified territory, The Provisional Constitution of the Republic of China stipulated:” The territories of the Republic of China include twenty-two provinces as well as Inner and Outer Mongolia, Tibet, and Qinghai. “In 1912, the restoration of the title of the 13th Dalai Lama "The Loyally Submissive Vicegerent, Great, Good, Self-Existent Buddha of West Heaven" was decreed by the president of the Republic of China.

1951

Peaceful Liberation of Tibet

On May 23, 1951, delegates with full powers of the Local Government of Tibet and delegates with full powers of the Central People's Government signed "The Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet." The Fourteenth Dalai Lama and the Tenth Panchen Erdeni cabled the central authorities to express their support of the Agreement. 

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