Tibet Chronology from 1900

From the start of the Twentieth Century to the present, Tibet has endured arguably the period of greatest change and hardship in its long history. This chronology outlines some of the major events to occur in this time.

• Imagine the UK overrun and occupied by a powerful and merciless neighbour.

• Imagine every cathedral, parish church, country house and town hall reduced to rubble to wipe out our national identity and culture.

• Imagine that one in every four of your friends, family and colleagues had been killed in the systematic suppression of your way of life and values

• Imagine all this and you are beginning to grasp the reality of life in Tibet for more than 45 years since its invasion by China.

Tibet is a land of monks and mystery, of high adventure - and high controversy.

Nomads herd their yaks, pilgrims make their way around sacred Mount Kailash, and monks chant in prayer halls lit by yak-butter lamps, but Chinese incursions threaten the survival of Tibetan civilisation.

So writes Michael Buckley, an adventure traveller who specialises in the Himalayan Region. Here is an extract from Buckley's book: Tibet - the Bradt Travel Guide:

Some introductory facts about Tibet.

• Tibet covers an area the size of Western Europe and is the world's highest plateau.
• Tibet's culture is magnificent and unique. Until 1950 Tibet retained that ancient culture and was revered by Buddhists throughout the world.
• Tibetans (6 million) are now outnumbered by Chinese (7.5 million) within Tibet.
• Over 1.2 million Tibetans have died in the widespread programme of imprisonment, torture and executions.
• 120,000 Tibetans have fled their country, risking their lives, for uncertain lives as refugees in India, Nepal and elsewhere.
• China, which controls Tibet, is the world's most oppressive police state. There are between a quarter and half a million Chinese troops in Tibet.
  

The more people who visit Tibet, the more committed supporters there will be for the Tibetan cause. To visit Tibet is to be convinced of the outrage perpetrated on Tibetans and their culture. So writes Gyurme Dorje, author of a guidebook on Tibet. Gyurme's knowledge and experience is reflected in the following points of advice: