Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
By the 6th century the Yarlung kings, through conquest and alliances, had made signi-
ficant headway in unifying much of central Tibet. Namri Songtsen (c 570-619), the 32nd
Tibetan king, continued this trend and extended Tibetan influence into inner Asia, defeat-
ing the Qiang tribes on China's borders. But the true flowering of Tibet as an important re-
gional power came about with the accession to rule of Namri Songtsen's son, Songtsen
Gampo (r 629-49).
Under Songtsen Gampo the armies of Tibet ranged as far afield as northern India and
threatened even the great Tang dynasty in China. Both Nepal and China reacted to the
Tibetan incursions by reluctantly agreeing to alliances through marriage. Princess
Wencheng, Songtsen Gampo's Chinese bride, and Princess Bhrikuti, his Nepali bride, be-
came important historical figures, as it was through their influence that Buddhism first
gained royal patronage and a foothold on the Tibetan plateau.
Contact with the Chinese led to the introduction of astronomy and medicine, while a
delegation sent to India brought back the basis for a Tibetan script. It was used in the first
translations of Buddhist scriptures, in drafting a code of law and in writing the first histor-
ies of Tibet.
For two centuries after the reign of Songtsen Gampo, Tibet continued to grow in power
and influence. By the time of King Trisong Detsen's reign (r 755-97), Tibetan influence
extended over Turkestan (modern-day Xīnjiāng), northern Pakistan, Nepal and India. In
China, Tibetan armies conquered Gānsù and Sìchuān and gained brief control over the Silk
Road, including the great Buddhist cave complex of Dūnhuáng.
Traces of the Yarlung Kings
Yumbulagang (Yarlung Valley), the first building in Tibet
Tombs of the early Tibetan kings, Chongye
Zortang (Yarlung Valley), the first field in Tibet
