Lhasa in History

Songtsen Gampo develops Lhasa as the political centre of his expanding state.

Songtsen Gampo sponsors the Jokhang Temple as Buddhism gains royal support.

Songtsen Gampo maintains an alliance associated with his marriage to Princess Bhrikuti.

Princess Wencheng arrives in Tibet as part of the Tang marriage alliance.

Songtsen Gampo receives Princess Wencheng, strengthening diplomatic relations with Tang China.

Mangsong Mangtsen succeeds Songtsen Gampo while ministers exercise substantial authority.

Songtsen Gampo dies after creating the foundations of the Tibetan Empire.

Tridu Songtsen assumes imperial authority after the death of Mangsong Mangtsen.

Me Agtsom becomes Tibetan emperor during continuing rivalry with Tang China.

Trisong Detsen becomes emperor and later sponsors major Buddhist institutions.

Trisong Detsen invites scholar Shantarakshita to establish monastic Buddhism in Tibet.

Trisong Detsen abdicates after strengthening both the empire and Tibetan Buddhism.

Sadnalegs becomes emperor and maintains Tibet's power across Inner Asia.

Ralpachen becomes emperor and expands royal support for Buddhist translation projects.

Langdarma succeeds Ralpachen amid growing conflict between court factions and monasteries.

A Buddhist monk assassinates Langdarma, accelerating the fragmentation of imperial Tibet.

Tsongkhapa organises the first Great Prayer Festival at the Jokhang in Lhasa.

Jamyang Choje establishes Drepung Monastery near Lhasa.

Shakya Yeshe founds Sera Monastery as another major Gelug centre.

Yonten Gyatso is recognised and installed as the fourth Dalai Lama.

Construction begins on the Potala Palace under the fifth Dalai Lama.

The main White Palace section of the Potala is completed.

Sangye Gyatso becomes regent and manages the Tibetan government.

The fifth Dalai Lama dies, but the regent conceals his death for years.

Tsangyang Gyatso is publicly enthroned as the sixth Dalai Lama.

Lhazang Khan defeats and kills regent Sangye Gyatso.

Lhazang Khan deposes Tsangyang Gyatso and sends him toward Qing territory.

Dzungar forces invade Tibet, kill Lhazang Khan and seize Lhasa.

Kelzang Gyatso is installed in Lhasa after Qing forces expel the Dzungars.

Political rivals assassinate Khangchenne, provoking civil war in central Tibet.

Polhane Sonam Topgyal defeats his rivals and becomes Tibet's dominant minister.

Kelzang Gyatso returns to Lhasa after several years away from the capital.

Qing ambans kill Gyurme Namgyal, triggering a violent uprising in Lhasa.

New regulations establish a Kashag cabinet under the seventh Dalai Lama.

Lungtok Gyatso is enthroned at the Potala Palace.

Lungtok Gyatso dies while still a child.

Tsultrim Gyatso is enthroned as the tenth Dalai Lama.

Tsultrim Gyatso dies before assuming full political authority.

Khedrup Gyatso is recognised and enthroned as the eleventh Dalai Lama.

Trinley Gyatso is enthroned as the twelfth Dalai Lama.

Trinley Gyatso assumes temporal authority shortly before his early death.

Thubten Gyatso is enthroned as the thirteenth Dalai Lama.

Thubten Gyatso assumes full spiritual and political authority in Tibet.

The 13th Dalai Lama leaves Lhasa for British India as Qing troops approach.

Thubten Gyatso dies after decades of political leadership and attempted reform.

Regents continue governing Tibet while the young Dalai Lama receives religious education.

Tenzin Gyatso is enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama at the Potala Palace.

The Tibetan government orders the remaining Chinese Nationalist mission to leave Lhasa.

Tenzin Gyatso assumes full political authority earlier than planned during the Chamdo crisis.