Zhangzhung

Quick Facts: Who was Zhangzhung?

Subject:

Zhangzhung

Known for:

Ancient kingdom in Western Tibet, associated with the Bon religion and Mount Kailash.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Zhangzhung or Shangshung was an ancient kingdom existing from about 500 BC to 625 AD when it was conquered by the Tibetan Empire to its east. Zhangzhung people were mentioned frequently in ancient Tibetan texts as the original rulers of the area around Mount Kailash. Zhangzhung culture is associated with the Bon religion, which influenced the philosophies and practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Tradition has it that Zhangzhung consisted "of three different regions: sGob-ba, the outer; Phug-pa, the inner; and Bar-ba, the middle. The outer is what we might call Western Tibet, from Gilgit in the west to Dangs-ra khyung-rdzong in the east, next to lake gNam-mtsho, and from Khotan in the north to Chu-mig brgyad-cu rtsa-gnyis in the south.

Career & Major Achievements

Ladakh, including Lahaul and Spiti, was part of sGob-ba. The inner region is said to be sTag-gzig (Tazig) [often identified with Bactria], and the middle rGya-mkhar bar-chod, a place not yet identified." While it is not certain whether Zhangzhung was really so large, it was an independent kingdom and covered the whole of what is today's Western Tibet, Ladakh and Gilgit. The capital city of Zhangzhung was called Khyunglung (Wylie: Khyunglung Ngülkhar or Wylie: Khyung-lung dngul-mkhar), the "Silver Palace of Garuda", southwest of Mount Kailash (Mount Ti-se), which is identified with palaces found in the upper Sutlej Valley. then further west, the Tibetans encountered a distinctly foreign nation. – Shangshung, with its capital at Khyunglung.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Mt. Kailāśa (Tise) and Lake Manasarovar formed part of this country., whose language has come down to us through early documents. Geographically the country was certainly open to India, both through Nepal and by way of Kashmir and Ladakh. Kailāśa is a holy place for the Indians, who make pilgrimages to it. No one knows how long they have done so, but the cult may well go back to the times when Shangshung was still independent of Tibet. We have already had an occasion to remark that Shangshung, embracing Kailāśa sacred Mount of the Hindus, may once have had a religion largely borrowed from Hinduism.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Zhangzhung

True or False: “The Zhangzhung people were never influenced by Hinduism due to their distinct cultural isolation.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The text suggests that Mount Kailash, a center of Zhangzhung culture, is also the most sacred mountain to Hindus, indicating significant cross-cultural influence.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Zhangzhung