History

Tibet’s history spans over two millennia, evolving from a powerful military empire into a unique spiritual state, and finally becoming a center of modern geopolitical dispute.The Tibetan Empire (7th–9th Century)Before the 7th century, Tibet was populated by fragmented, nomadic tribal clans practicing a shamanistic religion called Bon. The region was unified under King Songtsen Gampo, who established the Tibetan Empire (Yarlung Dynasty) and founded its capital in Lhasa. Gampo expanded Tibet's borders significantly, threatening neighboring dynasties.During this era, Gampo married Chinese and Nepalese princesses, who introduced Buddhism to the region. The Tibetan script was invented to translate Indian Buddhist texts, forming the bedrock of Tibetan culture. At its peak in 763, the empire's military might allowed it to briefly capture Chang'an, the capital of China's Tang Dynasty. Internal power struggles and religious conflict between Buddhists and Bon followers eventually led to the empire's collapse in the 9th century, fracturing Tibet into localized kingdoms.Mongol Alliance and the Dalai Lamas (13th–17th Century)In the 13th century, the Mongol Empire conquered Tibet. Rather than direct rule, the Mongols established a patron-priest relationship with Tibetan religious leaders. The Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism was granted administrative control over the region.Centuries later, Altan Khan of the Mongols bestowed the title "Dalai Lama" (Ocean of Wisdom) upon Sonam Gyatso. In 1642, the 5th Dalai Lama, with military assistance from Güshri Khan, unified Tibet politically and spiritually under the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school. He began building the Potala Palace in Lhasa, securing the Dalai Lama's role as both the spiritual leader and temporal ruler of Tibet.