Qamdo History in Tibet History

Qamdo Prefecture was originally called "Kang", or "Kemu" refer to the east part of Tibet region. People there were called "Kangba". They were characteristic of brave and strong features in the high plateau.

With an age-old and profound history, many ancient ruins were explored and founded. For example, both of famous Qamdo Karo Ruins and Qamdo Shao Enda Ruina were respectively found in 1977 and 1980. Both of the two ruins could be date back to the Neolithic Age. It proves that about 5000 years ago, people already lived in Qamdo Prefecture and the villages started to be formed since then as well. Local villagers were able to cultivate the foxtail millet, and feed the livestock such as the pigs. Meanwhile, people also started hunting the fox, sheep, and red deer, etc.

According to Qamdo history record, Qamdo prefecture is the battlefield fight for the salt during the rules of King Gesar, as it is the salt producing area. Some ancient walls, ancient steps and ancient buildings, etc, are preserved till now.

Qamdo History in Tibet History - Evolution

In AD 13th century, Tibet region became a part of the territories of Yuan Dynasty. The offices with different function and power were established in Qamdo Prefecture and Ganzi of Sichuan Province. Since the establishment of Gelug Sect of Ming Dynasty, the Buddhism culture has been introduced into Qamdo Prefecture. Then Hutu Ketu – the reincarnation system of Living Buddha of Qamdo Prefecture has been formed. The reincarnation system of Living Buddha in Qamdo Prefecture was divided into different schools. The emperor of Ming Dynasty also ordered his man to manage Qamdo Prefecture and the affairs of Lama's. At the end of Ming Dynasty, Qamdo Prefecture was under the control of Gushi Khan of Mongolia.

In Qing Dynasty, some Living Buddha and Tusi have been authorized to manage the affairs in Qamdo Prefecture, but they were also controlled by the officers who came from Qing Dynasty and Dalai Lama. Meanwhile, the troops were dispatched to and stationed Qamdo Prefecture from Sichuan Province and Yunnan Province by Qing Dynasty. The Living Buddha and grain supply center were protected by Qing Dynasty, too.

After the liberation of Tibet region, People's liberation committee was approved to be established in Qamdo Prefecture. It managed all the affairs in Qamdo Prefecture. Since the preparatory committee was approved to be established in Tibet Autonomous Region, Qamdo Prefecture has been managed by it.

Qamdo History in Tibet History – Eastern Women's County

According to the investigation and archaeology of Qamdo history, Qamdo Prefecture is the political, economical, and cultural center of Eastern Women's County during the early Tubo Dynasty. Some relics of Eastern Women'c County are still available in Qamdo Prefecture.

After the development of Tubo Dynasty, the Eastern Women's County was occupied besides other tribes along Yalong River basin. According to the Qamdo history, Songtsen Gampo established offices and send the officers to manage Qamdo Prefecture.

Qamdo History in Tibet History – Karo Ruins

Karo Ruin is one of the most important parts of profound Qamdo history. Karo Ruin was successfully explored nearby Qamdo Prefecture in 1977. It is located in Karo Village, the southeast part of Qamdo town. It is about 3100 meters high.

With the first excavation, about 230 square meters coverage of Karo Ruins has been explored. On the 2nd excavation, about 1570 square meters coverage has been explored. Afterwards, Karo Ruins was backfilled then. Nowadays if you travel to Karo Ruins during Tibet tour, you will find that there is only one board available in Karo Ruins.