Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
along with a garrison of Chinese troops. It was just a beginning, leading to two centuries
of Manchu overlordship and serving as a convenient historical precedent for the commun-
ist takeover nearly 250 years later.
The process of reincarnation has been likened to a flame that passes from candle to
candle, yet remains the same flame.
Kate Teltscher's
The High Road to China
details the 1774-45 journey of 27-year-old Ge-
orge Bogle to Shigatse and his fascinating relationship with the Panchen Lama.
Manchu Overlordship
The seventh Dalai Lama ruled until his death in 1757. However, at this point it became
clear that another ruler would have to be appointed until the next Dalai Lama reached
adulthood. The post of regent
(gyeltshab)
was created.
It is perhaps a poor reflection on the spiritual attainment of the lamas appointed as re-
gents that few were willing to relinquish the reins once they were in the saddle. In the 120
years between the death of the seventh Dalai Lama and the adulthood of the 13th, actual
power was wielded by the Dalai Lamas for only seven years. Three of them died very
young and under suspicious circumstances. Only the eighth Dalai Lama survived into his
adulthood, living a quiet, contemplative life until the age of 45.
Charles Allen's
Duel in the Snows
brings to life the 1903-4 Younghusband expedition to
Tibet through the letters and accounts of its main protagonists.
The Younghusband invasion of Tibet included 10,091 porters, 7096 mules, 2668 ponies,
4466 yaks and six camels in a train that stretched for 7km!
Barbarians at the Doorstep
Early contact between Britain and Tibet commenced with a mission to Shigatse headed by
a Scotsman, George Bogle, in 1774. Bogle soon ingratiated himself with the Panchen
Lama - to the extent of marrying one of his sisters. With the death of the third Panchen
