Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

The British Invasion of Tibet, 1903–04

2012; Brill; Volume: 14; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1163/22105018-990123777

2210-5018

Alex McKay,

Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

Abstract In 1903–04, British forces under the command of the Indian Political Officer, Colonel Francis Younghusband, invaded Tibet. After failed negotiations and a series of battles in which Younghusband's modern weaponry vanquished Tibetan forces, the British entered Lhasa and imposed a treaty on the Tibetans. While a fear of Russian influence in Lhasa was the main reason given for the invasion, Tibet's policy of isolating itself from British India was probably a more significant cause. The subsequent withdrawal of the British from Lhasa created a power vacuum which enabled the Chinese to re-establish their authority at Lhasa. This article gives an overview of the main issues, events and personalities involved in the invasion.