#OnThisDay 31st March 1959, the greatest daring escape in modern world happened!
The Dalai Lama, the leader & the face of Tibet escaped from China & entered India taking asylum stunning China & the whole world!
Travel with me back in time to witness this thrilling story 🧵
The Dalai Lama, the leader & the face of Tibet escaped from China & entered India taking asylum stunning China & the whole world!
Travel with me back in time to witness this thrilling story 🧵
The story starts in 1913 when the Qing Dynasty fell in China. The 13th Dalai Lama declared Tibet as an independent country and the world countries also acknowledged it though China wasn't very happy.
There were occasional skirmishes in the Tibet-China border but nothing more
There were occasional skirmishes in the Tibet-China border but nothing more
In 1949, Mao Zedong & the communist party took control of China & used the People's Liberation Army to bring all neighbouring areas under control that included Tibet.
Within a year, the PLA crossed into Tibet & defeated the very small Tibet army within days.
Within a year, the PLA crossed into Tibet & defeated the very small Tibet army within days.
Mao Zedong asked the leaders of Tibet to come to Beijing & made them sign a '17-point Agreement' which put Tibet under Chinese control. He didn't allow Tibet to propose any changes even though it was called an 'Agreement'
Tibet was fully under PLA control by October 1950!
Tibet was fully under PLA control by October 1950!
Just after this in Nov 1950, Tenzin Gyatso, son of a horse trader, was enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama, the ruler of Tibet at the age of 15! As a young kid, China planned to control him & Tibet fully!
So right from day 1, the security around the Dalai Lama was intense
So right from day 1, the security around the Dalai Lama was intense
Meanwhile, India & China signed the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954 where Nehru recognized China's authority over Tibet & officially called it the 'Tibet Region of China'
Till then India was a supporter of Tibet's autonomy. So this change surprised all including the Dalai Lama
Till then India was a supporter of Tibet's autonomy. So this change surprised all including the Dalai Lama
In 1956, Dalai Lama visited India to celebrate Buddha's Birthday. He then asked PM Nehru whether India will give him political asylum.
Nehru discouraged him and reminded India's non-interventionist stance in China's internal matters. The Dalai Lama went back disappointed!!
Nehru discouraged him and reminded India's non-interventionist stance in China's internal matters. The Dalai Lama went back disappointed!!
But there was someone whose work was just intervening in other countries' internal matters.
The CIA.
Amidst the cold war having to put a stance against the communists, CIA entered the scene & started training the 'Chushi Gandrug' a Tibetan Guerilla group
The CIA.
Amidst the cold war having to put a stance against the communists, CIA entered the scene & started training the 'Chushi Gandrug' a Tibetan Guerilla group
Though not approved by the Dalai Lama at first to take upon violence, The CHushi Gandrug quickly became the inner security group for the Dalai Lama.
The US also started putting pressure on Nehru & India to take a more supportive stance to Tibet.
The US also started putting pressure on Nehru & India to take a more supportive stance to Tibet.
With the CIA involved, there was intense tension that China was going to abduct the Dalai Lama. On 10th March 1959, the Chinese General Chiang Chin-Wu invited Dalai Lama for a dance performance at the military auditorium but insisted he come without his usual security guards!
The news spread to the public & they swarmed the Potala Palace in Lhasa in protest. They didnt want the Dalai Lama to attend the dance.
There was an old prophecy that if the Dalai Lama left the palace alone, he would be abducted. This spread & whole of Tibet went into a tumult
There was an old prophecy that if the Dalai Lama left the palace alone, he would be abducted. This spread & whole of Tibet went into a tumult
On 12th March, posters for Tibetan independence came up in Lhasa & more protests erupted. Tensions with China was at the highest. On 17th, two artillery shells fell on the palace triggering panic
Overnight, it was planned that the Dalai Lama will escape with the Chushi Gandrug.
Overnight, it was planned that the Dalai Lama will escape with the Chushi Gandrug.
Disguised as a soldier, the Dalai Lama started on horseback on a treacherous route in the himalayas along the Brahmaputra amidst harsh natural conditions & also the fear of being found by the Chinese.
They made the journey to the Indian border assisted by 2 CIA Radio operators
They made the journey to the Indian border assisted by 2 CIA Radio operators
On 26th March 1959, after 9 days of marching, the group reached the Indian border & the Dalai Lama wrote an endearing letter to PM Nehru requesting asylum and India's kindness.
With CIA's massaging, Nehru was now welcome to receive the Dalai Lama & asylum was given!
With CIA's massaging, Nehru was now welcome to receive the Dalai Lama & asylum was given!
The Dalai Lama officially entered India on 31st March & stayed at the Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh. He moved next to Mussorie to meet Nehru & then settled down in Dharmashala which already had thousands of Tibetan exiles.
He set up the 'Tibetan Govt in Exile' there!
He set up the 'Tibetan Govt in Exile' there!
This bold move shocked China & angered them & they accused India of violating the Panchsheel agreement. China refused to acknowledge the McMohan line & started claiming large parts of
Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The situation deteriorated leading to the Indo-China war in 1961.
Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The situation deteriorated leading to the Indo-China war in 1961.
The Dalai Lama needs to be chosen by another monk called the Panchen Lama. The latest Panchen Lama has been missing since age of 6 & many fear China has abducted him.
And they plan to appoint someone of their own choice as 15th Dalai Lama when the current Dalai Lama passes away
And they plan to appoint someone of their own choice as 15th Dalai Lama when the current Dalai Lama passes away
Tibet is still under Chinese control. What the future holds for Tibet & the Dalai Lama order is uncertain.
The least we can do is revisit this momentous day from 63 years ago & be more aware of the history
RT if you liked this story & follow for more 🙏🙏
The least we can do is revisit this momentous day from 63 years ago & be more aware of the history
RT if you liked this story & follow for more 🙏🙏
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