Tibetan independence movement

Quick Facts: Who was Tibetan independence movement?

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Tibetan independence movement

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Political movement advocating for Greater Tibet's separation from China.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Tibetan independence movement (Tibetan: བོད་རང་བཙན Bod rang btsan; simplified Chinese: 西藏独立运动; traditional Chinese: 西藏獨立運動) is the political movement advocating for the reversal of the 1950 annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, and the separation and independence of Greater Tibet from China. It is principally led by the Tibetan diaspora in countries like India and the United States, and by celebrities and Tibetan Buddhists in the United States, India and Europe. The Central Tibetan Administration is based in Dharamshala, India. The Tibetan independence movement is no longer supported by the U.S.'s Central Intelligence Agency, which ended its Tibetan program after the 1972 visit by Richard Nixon to China. Later in the 1970s, the 14th Dalai Lama, who had backed it since 1961, also withdrew his support but now supports the Middle-Way Approach.

Career & Major Achievements

After the Mongol Prince Köden took control of the Kokonor region in 1239, he sent his general Doorda Darqan on a reconnaissance mission into Tibet in 1240. During this expedition the Kadampa monasteries of Rwa-sgreng and Rgyal-lha-khang were burned, and 500 people killed. The death of the Mongol qaghan Ögedei Khan in 1241 brought Mongol military activity around the world temporarily to a halt. Mongol interests in Tibet resumed in 1244, when Prince Köden sent an invitation to the leader of the Sakya sect, to come to his capital and formally surrender Tibet to the Mongols. The Sakya leader arrived in Kokonor with his two nephews Drogön Chögyal Phagpa ('Phags-pa; 1235–80) and Chana Dorje (Phyag-na Rdo-rje; 1239–67) in 1246.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This event marked the incorporation of Tibet into the Mongol Empire. Tibet was under administrative rule of the Yuan dynasty until the 1360s. At that point, Tibet switched their allegiance to the newly established Ming dynasty, who granted Tibet greater autonomy. Each factions based their legitimation on the decrees of the Ming emperors, although by the 16th century Ming influence declined and Tibet became de facto independent. In 1720, the Qing dynasty army entered Tibet in aid of the locals and defeated the invading forces of the Dzungar Khanate; thus began the period of Qing rule of Tibet.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1235: 1235 Milestone — The Sakya leader arrived in Kokonor with his two nephews Drogön Chögyal Phagpa ('Phags-pa; 1235–80) and Chana Dorje (Phyag-na Rdo-rje; 1239–67) in 1246.
2. 1239: 1239 Milestone — After the Mongol Prince Köden took control of the Kokonor region in 1239, he sent his general Doorda Darqan on a reconnaissance mission into Tibet in 1240.
3. 1241: 1241 Milestone — The death of the Mongol qaghan Ögedei Khan in 1241 brought Mongol military activity around the world temporarily to a halt.
4. 1244: 1244 Milestone — Mongol interests in Tibet resumed in 1244, when Prince Köden sent an invitation to the leader of the Sakya sect, to come to his capital and formally surrender Tibet to the Mongols.
5. 1720: 1720 Milestone — In 1720, the Qing dynasty army entered Tibet in aid of the locals and defeated the invading forces of the Dzungar Khanate; thus began the period of Qing rule of Tibet.
6. 1950: 1950 Milestone — The Tibetan independence movement (Tibetan: བོད་རང་བཙན Bod rang btsan; simplified Chinese: 西藏独立运动; traditional Chinese: 西藏獨立運動) is the political movement advocating for the reversal of the 1950 annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, and the separation and independence of Greater Tibet from China.
7. 1961: 1961 Milestone — Later in the 1970s, the 14th Dalai Lama, who had backed it since 1961, also withdrew his support but now supports the Middle-Way Approach.
8. 1972: 1972 Milestone — 's Central Intelligence Agency, which ended its Tibetan program after the 1972 visit by Richard Nixon to China.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Tibetan independence movement

True or False: “The Qing dynasty established its initial control over Tibet by defeating the Dzungar Khanate in 1720.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The Wikipedia extract confirms that the Qing dynasty army entered Tibet in 1720 to aid locals and defeat the invading forces of the Dzungar Khanate.

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