Tibet History in Early Qing Dynasty (1644-1840)

Tibet region has been unified by Gushri Khan who established a political contact with Hong Taiji in Shengjing City (Shenyang Province in current days) at the end of Ming Dynasty. Hong Taiji was the founder of Qing Dynasty and awarded Gushri Khan, Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama during the year of 1642.

Tibet History in Early Qing Dynasty (1644-1840) – Internal Strife of Tibet

In 1644, the capital of Qing Dynasty was established in Beijing lasting a long-term relationship with Tibet from then on. For the consolidation and extension of economy in all aspects, the fifth Dalai Lama was persuaded to go to Shengjing taking a banquet in 1652. At the beginning of 1653, Qing Dynasty government confirmed Dalai Lama as the leader of all religious sects. After the death of Gushri Khan, Dayan Khan took charge of Tibet affairs. After years, the fourth Panchen died in 1662, Tibet religious power was mainly focus on Dalai Lama except the military right.

The fifth Dalai Lama supported Sangye Gyatso to charge the Tibet affair after the death of Dayan Khan in 1668, and succeeded during the year of 1679. Sangye Gyatso asked for confer from Qing Dynasty in order to get much more power when the fifth Dalai Lama died in 1682, and finally awarded by Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty. But Sangye Gyatso furtively found the reincarnation of the fifth Dalai Lama by himself which was exposed in 1694. Tibet religious sect was divided against itself, for the sixth Dalai Lama which led to the dominant position of Qing Dynasty. After years, the 7th Dalai Lama and his father were moved into Huiyuan Temple in Sichuan Province which was the beginning of the awarding of families of Dalai Lama. In 1735, the 7th Dalai Lama was send back to Tibet at the same time Qing military army garrisoned in Tibet region containing two senior ministers when the internal strife was ended. In addition, Qing Dynasty determined the Tibet administrative scope dividing the border of Tibet region with Qinghai Province, Sichuan Province and Yunnan Province.

Tibet History in Early Qing Dynasty (1644-1840) – Nepal Invasion

Due to solve the regional situation in Tibet region, a Tibet military army containing fifteen thousand people was trained by Tibetan official named Polhanas with the help of Qing Dynasty, thus most of Qing military army retreated in 1733. But there was an internal strife happened again by the son of Polhanas in 1751. The emperor reorganized the Tibetan government again, nominally restoring temporal power to the Dalai Lama, but in fact consolidating power in the hands of the Qing Dynasty government. Thus the 7th Dalai Lama was given the right of charging Tibet affairs by Qing Dynasty government with another three blons (Tibetan government official taken by monks) together, which was the beginning of the blon position of monks.

After the death of 7th Dalai Lama, Qing Dynasty ordered Dimu Living Buddha as the regent for charging the Tibetan affairs before the 8th Dalai Lama, and then the system containing Dalai Lama, the Tibetan minister and regent was established in 1777 when Dimu Living Buddha died. In 1779, the 6th Panchen Lama went to Beijing and died in Beijing in 1780 for disease.

On the other hand, the problematic relations with Nepal led to Gurkha invasions of Tibet in 1788 and again in 1791, occupying Shigatse and robbing the great Tashilhunpo Monastery. A Qing Dynasty army with total number of 80 repelled the invasion saving Tashihunpo Monastery, and later pursued the Gurkhas to the Katmandu Valley with follow-up regiments of Qing army. Nepal conceded defeat and returned all the treasure they had plundered. At last, Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty ordered Nepal signed an agreement of "Never Invade Tibet Region".

Tibet History in Early Qing Dynasty (1644-1840) – Imperial Constitution of Tibet

During the period of 1792 - 1793, the emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty issued a 29-point Imperial Constitution of Tibet.

The important parts of this constitution following:

1. Administrative Personnel: Qing Dynasty government appointed Tibetan official (send by Qing Dynasty), Dalai Lama and Panchen with equal power.

2. Power of supervision of Tibet religion: the reincarnations of Dalai Lama and Panchen and other religious sects would be approved by Qing Dynasty government.

3. Military Army: a formation of Military army would be established with 3000 Tibetan soldiers whose name would be also known by Tibetan officials.

4. Administration of justice: different cases would be disposed by Tibetan official.

5. Foreign affairs: the right of foreign affairs would be charged by Tibetan officials, the communication between Tibetan and foreigners would be charged by Tibetan and Dalai Lama.

6. Finance and revenue: Finance and revenue would be charged by Tibetan and Dalai Lama together, the increasing of revenue would not be implement without the ratify of Qing Dynasty government.