Tibet Past and Present

nice

great buy, thanks

The pictures and text are blurry.

To understand Tibet's history and politics there are mainly three sources: 1) Tibetan, 2) Chinese 3) Western. This book provides an account from a British political officer who spent nineteen years in the region. During his time there, Sir Bell became good friends with the Dalai Lama and in 1920 was invited by the latter to visit Lhasa where he stayed for about a year. As he stated "no other write man has been for so long in the forbidden city." (Page 4)I was surprised to find that the cultural link between Tibet and China was significant; Sir Bell made this point clear in Chapter V. The Tibetan culture was greatly influenced by the Chinese. Among the many things, knowledge and skills imported from China were books on astronomy, astrology and medicine; the making of butter, cheese, barley-beer, pottery, water mills and the national beverage tea. Buddhism was also partly introduced by the Chinese even though it came out of India. In conclusion Sir Bell wrote: "we may in fact say that the present civilization of Tibet was taken mainly from China, and only in a lesser degree from India." (Page 25)The arrogance of the British is hard to bear (hence the 2 stars). Sir Bell often expresses his willingness to help the Tibetans. "Let us help the Tibetans as far as we can, but in the main leave them alone to live their own life, for this is what above all they desire." (Page 72) It sounds very touching; the only problem is this sentence is the ending of a chapter titled British Military Expeditions. One of the expeditions mentioned is the 1904 expedition and the outcome of it was the 1904 convention which was signed by Tibetans at gun point. One provision says: "An indemnity of half a million pounds was to be paid by the Tibetan government in seventy-five annual installments. The Chumbi Valley to remain in British occupation until the payment was completed." In addition to demanding money the British also demanded control over Tibetan politics.Provision IX says:"The Government of Thibet engages that, without the previous consent of the British Government.a. No portion of Thibetan territory shall be ceded, sold, leased, mortgaged or otherwise given for occupation, to any foreign Power;b. No such Power shall be permitted to intervene in Thibetan affairs;c. No Representatives or Agents of any foreign Power shall be admitted to Thibet;d. No concessions for railways, roads, telegraphs, mining or other rights, shall be granted to any foreign Power, or the subject of any foreign Power. In the event of consent to such concessions being granted, similar or equivalent concessions shall be granted to the British Government;e. No Tibetan revenues, whether in kind or in cash, shall be pledged or assigned to any foreign Power, or to the subject of any foreign Power." (Page 68)The British acted like barbaric greedy robbers and yet Sir Bell believed he and his countrymen were doing the Tibetans a favor.This is an interesting book but be aware of the author's bias.