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ancient times, as is proved by archaeological findings and historical documents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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