The Great Game: the Sixth Dalai Lama, Manchu Emperors and Mongolian Khans in Making of Inner Asia

• In Event: Qing Empire in Inner Asia: Based on Manchu Archives

Abstract

Tshangs dbyangs Rgya mtsho(1683-1706), the Sixth Dalai Lama, whose life was not only the mystery of Qing history but also the crux of the Tibetan issue. As the symbol of Tibetan legitimacy, the life of Tshangs dbyangs Rgya mtsho was actually the turning point of the development of the legal status of the Tibetan regime. The capture and the death of Tshangs dbyangs Rgya mtsho caused by Manchu Qing troops formally declared the ending of the independence of Tibet. The deconstruction of political orders finally induced the later invasion of Zunghar Mongols in central Tibet. The expansion of Zunghar Mongols provoked Qing Empire that finally decided to march to the Inner Asia including modern Tibet and Xinjiang. Therefore, the life of Tshangs dbyangs Rgya mtsho was actually the crossroad of the future of Tibet. However, since he was not recognized by Qing dynasty due to the political struggle among Tibetans, Mongols and Manchus, Chinese materials did not leave too much related information about him. However, combining his Tibetan biography, Manchu and Mongolian archives, these materials provide us the possibility to reconstruct the life of Tshangs dbyangs Rgya mtsho. In this study, the author is going to emphasize the significant shift of the legal status of Tibet during 18th century through utilizing multi-lingual materials.

Author

• LING-WEI KUNG, Columbia University