On this day in 1910, the 13th Dalai Lama boldly fled Tibet, seeking refuge in British India as Chinese forces occupied Lhasa. This event marked a crucial turning point in Tibet’s struggle against foreign control and significantly shaped its modern political landscape.

Tibet experienced a crisis on February 25, 1910, when the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, was compelled to flee his homeland. Chinese troops, under the Qing dynasty, had invaded Lhasa in an attempt to assert control over Tibet and its religious leader. With his life in jeopardy, the Dalai Lama escaped to British India, marking the beginning of a period of exile that would significantly alter Tibet’s political landscape.

The invasion was part of China’s broader strategy to consolidate power over Tibet, which had long maintained de facto independence. However, the Dalai Lama’s escape only strengthened Tibetan resistance. His return in 1913 after the fall of the Qing dynasty was a beacon of hope, reaffirming Tibet’s autonomy and implementing modernization efforts, promising a brighter future for the region.

Fun Facts:

• His Holiness the 13th Dalai Lama was born on 12th February 1876.
• He died on December 17, 1933, at 57, and was buried in Polata Palace.
• His full name is Ngawang Lobsang Thupten Gyatso Jigdral Chokley Namgyal, and he is quite a mouthful.
• Many remembered him as an intellectual reformer known for his progressive ideas and efforts to modernize Tibet. He was also a skillful politician, adept at navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of his time. His leadership and political acumen were instrumental in shaping Tibet’s history and its struggle for independence.
• Although he fled during the Qi dynasty, he later returned and lived out his life in his homeland.