Escaping Tibet: Tracing the Dalai Lama’s journey

On July 6, 2025, the Himalayan foothill city of Dharamshala witnessed a grand celebration. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, turned 90 years previous and blessed the group of devotees gathered to supply their good needs on the Tsuglagkhang, also referred to as the Dalai Lama Temple advanced.

This city has been the residence of the Dalai Lama since 1959, and the religious epicentre of the motion for Tibetan autonomy. The Dalai Lama, the top of Tibetan Buddhism and a commemorated spiritual determine, arrived right here fleeing from Tibet, fearing for his security underneath the Chinese language authorities. He was granted political asylum by India underneath the management of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

We hint the Dalai Lama’s journey via the treacherous Himalayan terrain, and take a look at what prompted the escape within the first place.

Fleeing Tibet

Tibetan religious chief the Dalai Lama throughout his go to to the Bec Abbey in Le Bec Hellouin on Might 30, 1986.
| Photograph Credit score:
AFP

China has a deeply advanced political historical past, shifting from the age of Chinese language dynasties to Mongol emperors, once more again to Chinese language monarchs and feudal warlords earlier than the gradual creation of a republic. In 1949, the Chinese language Communist Celebration underneath the management of Mao Zedong triumphed over the Nationalist Celebration or Kuomingtang (KMT) based by Solar Yat-Sen, and got here to energy on the Centre.

This regime sought the reunification of Tibet with China and the Individuals’s Liberation Military occupied the area in 1950. In Might 1951, the 2 sides signed a 17-point settlement indicating that Tibet would have regional autonomy and management over political establishments and inner administration. The Chinese language central authorities was to be liable for international relations. The Chinese language military was to enter Tibet for nationwide defence functions and step by step soak up the Tibetan forces. A Chinese language army and administrative fee, as nicely a army headquarters, have been to be arrange in Tibet.

A preparatory committee was arrange for Tibet in 1956, with the Dalai Lama as Chairman, the Panchen Lama as Vice-chairman, and Normal Chang Kuo Hua because the consultant of the Chinese language Authorities. “In observe, this physique had little energy, and selections in all vital issues have been taken by the Chinese language authorities,” the Dalai Lama asserted in an announcement to the Indian press reflecting on this time.

Each the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama toured India In 1956-57. This image was taken on the Elephanta Caves and exhibits the guests with their cine-cameras. 
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

In 1956, the Lama made his first piligrimage to India, on the event of the two,five hundredth anniversary of the Mahaparinirvana of Buddha. Three years later, nevertheless, he returned to India as a political asylee.

Per the Dalai Lama’s account to the Indian press in later years, a wrestle in opposition to the Chinese language authorities began in Tibet’s Kham province in direction of the top of 1955, and grew extra severe in 1956. Within the ensuing wrestle, the Chinese language armed forces destroyed a lot of monasteries. “Many Lamas have been killed and a lot of monks and officers have been taken and employed on the development of roads in China and the interference within the train of non secular freedom elevated,” the Dalai Lama stated.

In February 1959, relations between the Tibetans and Chinese language authorities grew to become extra strained. The Dalai Lama was invited to a cultural present on the Chinese language headquarters on March 10, however Tibetans grew to become apprehensive that hurt would befall him. 1000’s gathered close to the Dalai Lama’s summer time palace at Norbulingka, Lhasa, and prevented him from attending the operate. Additionally they demonstrated in opposition to Chinese language rule in Tibet.

Whereas negotiations have been underway, reinforcements from Individuals’s Liberation Military arrived in Lhasa. On March 17, 1959 shelling passed off within the path of Norbulingka Palace, heightening fears in regards to the security of the Dalai Lama and different prime officers.

Quickly, the Dalai Lama fled from Lhasa, accompanied by officers and household. Amongst these with him have been his 57-year-old mom, Gyuam Chemo (“Nice Mom”), two sisters, and a youthful brother.

The Hindu’s report on the Dalai Lama fleeing Tibet.
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

Components of Tibet got here to be underneath the management of the anti-Chinese language rebels, with insurgent chief Gonpo Tashi establishing his headquarters in Lhagiar Dzong, Kham. The Lama and his entourage headed first to the south, after which, discovering it tough to interrupt via safety to Nepal and India, headed east. They traversed the Himalayan terrain, crossing the Kyichu and Tsangpo rivers, and shifting via the Lhoka space, Yarlung Valley and Psonadzong earlier than reaching the Indian border at Kanzey Mane close to Chuhangmu, 15 days after leaving from Lhasa.

The Chinese language had in the meantime arrange up emergency frontier forces alongside the borders with Nepal, Bhutan, the then princely state of Sikkim, and India. Personal communication was strictly censored in Tibet; The Hindu report dated March 29 stated that telegrams transmitted out of Tibet have been solely allowed to say three words- We’re secure.

The Dalai Lama crossed over into India on March 31. The small print of his entry have been shared by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in an deal with to Parliament: the federal government acquired a message from Shillong dated March 31 night. that an emissary with a message from the Dalai Lama had arrived on the border check-post at Chutangmu within the North-East Frontier Company, on March 29, stating that the Dalai Lama had sought political asylum. On the night of March 31, the Dalai Lama, with a small celebration of 8, crossed over into Indian territory.

His first cease was Tawang, within the distant Kameng division within the North-East Frontier Company, the place India’s largest Buddhist monastery is positioned, 10,000 toes above sea stage, in dense forests inaccessible through helicopter or aircraft.

The Hindu’s report on the Dalai Lama’s searching for refuge in India.
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

On the monastery, monks and devotees welcomed him with salutations and celebratory drum beats. “Rows and rows of butter lamps guttered within the sanctum sanctorum, which resounded to the recitations of the Buddhist tenets,” a report in The Hindu stated.

The retinue then handed via Bomdilla. It was met by officers, included P.N Menon of the Ministry of Exterior Affairs, and Capt. Harmandar Singh, Political Officer of Kameng Frontier division. A contingent from Assam Rifles was guarding the realm via which the Dalai Lama handed.

Sporting his darkish robes, the Dalai Lama (23) with the Exterior Affairs Ministry official P.N. Menon. (in white swimsuit), who’s escorting him. Okay.N. Tripathi, Minister for Labour, Assam Authorities, can be seen. The picture was taken when he reached Tezpur in Assam on April 18, 1959.
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

He arrived in Tezpur on April 18, and mentioned a number of preparations for his stick with Mr. Menon. Presspersons gathered from everywhere in the world in Tezpur, wanting to cowl the Dalai Lama’s story. He made his first public look at a reception held at Darrang District faculty grounds, addressing the press and charging China with interference within the inner affairs of Tibet regardless of the 1951 settlement.

Seated in a jeep as they arrived on the foothills of India on April 19, 1959 are the Lama’s sister (left) and Mom (proper) as they arrived with the Dalai Lama and his celebration on the finish of their 33-day trek excessive of the world from Tibet.
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

Following this, he caught a particular AC practice to Mussoorie, passing via Siliguri, the place his brother’s spouse, niece, and nephew, who have been staying in Darjeeling, entered the particular coach to see him. He was additionally acquired by the Maharajakumar of Sikkim and sister, and the mom and spouse of the Prime Minister of Bhutan.

The Dalai Lama lastly arrived in Mussoorie on April 21, having journeyed for 35 days and crossing round 1,500 miles. He was put up within the Birla Home, the place Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel had stayed prior to now. On April 24, the Dalai Lama met Prime Minister Nehru.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru with the Dalai Lama after they met at Birla Home in Mussoorie on April 24, 1959.
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu Archives

Within the succeeding years, India acquired and granted asylum to hundreds of Tibetan refugees. Since 1960, the Dalai Lama has been in Dharamshala, which has earned the epithet Little Lhasa. He has established a ‘Tibetan government-in-exile,’ now generally known as the Central Tibetan Administration, with a ‘Draft Structure for Future Tibet.’ There may be additionally a Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE), made up of 45 MPs who’re elected representatives of the diaspora in India, Australasia, Europe, and the U.S., and meet for bi-annual periods in Dharamshala.

The Dalai Lama, who arrived in Delhi on September 3, 1959, exchanged scarves with Dr. Rajendra Prasad when he referred to as on the President.
| Photograph Credit score:
The Hindu Archives