Editor’s Note
It has often been the approach of more powerful nations to overwhelm the cultural past and historical linkages of weaker nations. The Chinese efforts to Sinicize Tibet and curtail the religious freedom of its people is an example of this. However, these efforts are bound to fail. Renaming certain places to establish Tibet’s Chinese linkages is bound to fail, as the civilizational relationship between India and Tibet disproves any false Chinese connections that Beijing would like to promote. The resilience of Tibetan culture is a testament to this.
Tibet which China now calls “Xizang”, also known as the “Water Tower” of Asia and the “Roof Top of the World,” has once again become the centre of geopolitical manoeuvring between two leading powers of the world. On July 12, 2024, US President Joe Biden signed the “Resolve Tibet Act,” which means that China must peacefully resolve the Tibet-China Issue in accordance with international laws and not through subjugation. China’s claim that “Tibet has always been a part of China” has no basis whatsoever. Both spoken and written Tibetan languages have no relation with the Chinese language and are derived from the Indo-Aryan tradition. The traditional boundary between Tibet and China was demarcated by the “Peace Treaty of 1821,” which stated that the two countries should never interfere in each other’s affairs. However, everything changed when the Communist Party took over the reins of China in 1949 and annexed the “Sovereign Land of Tibet” in 1951.
Tibet’s origin is shrouded in mystery, but archaeological and historical evidence suggests it was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period, around 8000 BCE. The first recorded kingdom of Tibet was the Yarlung Dynasty, which ruled from the 5th to the 9th century CE. From the pre-modern period until the annexation of Tibet by Communist China in 1951, Tibet had a unique history and distinct culture and tradition.
India significantly influenced Tibetan traditions and culture due to the deep bond Tibet shared with India as the birthplace of Buddhism. Over the past several hundred years, Tibetan monks travelled to India to study Buddhism, and Indian scholars and teachers travelled to Tibet to spread their teachings.
This exchange of knowledge and ideas helped shape Tibetan culture and played a key role in the growth of Tibetan Buddhism.
During a series of exchanges, the Northern Indian States signed several treaties with the Tibetan Rulers to facilitate trade and the movement of scholars across the Himalayan ranges. The first treaty of friendship, known as the “Tibet – Bushahr Treaty”, was signed in 1674 between Raja Kehri Singh of Bushahr (Himachal Pradesh) and the Gaden Phodrang government of Tibet. This treaty ensured no taxes were imposed on Tibetan and Bushahri merchants and established trade in Tibetan towns such as Purang, Ruthog, Dawa, Tsaparang, and Gartok. Subsequently, another treaty was signed in 1684 called the “Treaty of Tingmosgang” between Ladakh and the Tibetan government under the regency of Desi Sangye Gyatso.
Another treaty of friendship that Tibet made with Ladakh was the “Treaty of Chushul” after the Dogra-Tibetan War of 1841-42. Raja Gulab Singh of the Sikh Empire sent his general Zorawar Singh to conquer Tibet’s western Ngari region in order to control the trade routes into Ladakh. Zorawar Singh reached Minsar but was later killed in action. His tomb remains at Minsar.
Subsequently, an agreement known as the “Agreement of 1852 between Ladakh and Tibet” was signed by the Garpons (provisional governors) of the Gaden Phodrang Government of Tibet, with Thanadar Sahib Bastiram representing the Maharaja of Kashmir.
It’s important to note that all agreements were signed by representatives of India and Tibet, with China not being involved. The borders that India and Tibet shared remained peaceful for centuries until China occupied Tibet.
India and Tibet have deep cultural, religious, and historical connections. For Hindus, Tibet is a sacred land where they can cultivate higher spiritual consciousness. The regions of Burang and Minsar are considered the territory of Kuber (God of wealth) and the treasurer of Devtas (Gods).
Many important Vedic cultural sites, such as Mansarovar Lake and Kailash Parvat (Mount Kailash), as well as many other religious sites, are located there. Mount Kailash is one of the most sacred mountains and has become an important pilgrim site for four faiths: Buddhists, Jains, Hindus, and the Tibetan religion of Bon.
Burang County is in Tibet and shares a border with Uttarakhand state in India. This border is significant as it serves as a key entry point for Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain pilgrims travelling to the sacred sites of Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash.
These religious sites hold great importance for their respective followers. The region surrounding Burang originates from major rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, Yarlung Tsangpo/Brahmaputra, and Karnali/Ghaghra. In historical context, General Zorawar Singh captured Burang and Zanda County to establish a land border with the Kingdom of Nepal during the Dogra-Tibetan War.
On the journey from Burang to Mount Kailash, there is a holy Jain shrine named Ashtapad (“eight steps”). It is located in Darchen village, just opposite Mount Kailash, and serves as the starting point for any pilgrimage in the region. Ashtapad holds great religious significance for Hindus as it is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
Jains also hold this mountain in reverence as it is considered to be the place where Rishabhadev, the Tirthankara of Jainism, attained nirvana.
The final destination of this pilgrimage is the sacred Kailash Parvat, also referenced in the Tibetan-English dictionary. The mountain is known as Gang Rinpoche in Tibetan, meaning ‘precious one’, and in Chinese, it is called Gang ren bo qi feng (冈仁波齐峰).
Mount Kailash is near Manasarovar and Rakshastal lakes and is revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon religions. People from India, Nepal, Tibet, China, and other countries embark on pilgrimages to the mountain.
The village of Minsar, also known as Moincer, is in Gar County, just south of Kailash and west of Manasarovar. Minsar was under the governance of Ladakh for 160 years and later under the Sikh Empire. Even after India gained control, Minsar continued to send revenue.
In 1947, when India gained independence, the village of Minsar was considered part of India. Despite being surrounded by Tibetan territories, the inhabitants of Minsar had historically paid taxes to the Kingdom of Ladakh and later to the State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for centuries.
The last official to visit the region was Rigzen Ghagil Kalon, a special officer of the Government of J&K, who visited the village in 1950. His report was then forwarded to the Government of India in New Delhi. During the India-China Boundary talks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) report in 1960 also demanded India’s claim over Minsar.
Despite Chinese efforts to “Sinicize Tibet” and restrict religious freedom in the region, Buddhism continues to grow in China. The historical ties between India and Tibet are deep and intertwined, particularly through the Nalanda-Lhasa connection of past centuries.
Despite 74 years of harsh occupation by the Han Chinese and the Communist Party of China, Buddhism is flourishing in Tibet, with Sanskrit-based sutras being chanted across the India-Tibetan plateau.
India does not need to rename places in Tibet to emphasize its historical relationship, which is often described as ‘Higher than the Himalayas.’ This connection is echoed in daily mantras in the highlands and temples. It’s imperative for India to assert and strengthen its historical ties and ancient traditions with Tibet to solidify its bonds with the region.
Resham Bhambhani (Author is a Mandarin speaking researcher with Strat News Global,X Handle : @resham_sng)
