Page 38 - Seniors Today June2020
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world – the Chinese interpret this as if these would lose control of a very major area and
were symbols of political subordination more importantly lose face in rest of India.
to Tibet. Sometime in 1717 a Mongol force They wanted Zorawar Singh to return to
marched into Tibet from the little-used Ladakh and stay put. Unfortunately, the
North route and took it. In 1718–19 AD the Tibetans retook control of Taklakot and in
Ch’ing Emperor who was not prepared to that Zorawar Singh paid with his life. Later
concede Tibet, decided to march in 1720 attempts were made to keep Ladakh under
and took control of Tibet. This is the event self-rule with the British and the Sikhs,
that the Chinese use to cite their “conquest” but the Tibetan army having tasted success
of Tibet. This event is the first documented wanted to take Ladakh. A major battle
direct connection between Ladakh and between them and the Dogra reinforcements
China as there was a Ladakhi delegation was fought in Chusul (near the Pangong
which reached Peking to talk about the Lake) in1842. The Tibetans lost very badly
future against the Dsungsar Mongols. Talks and retreated. Thus leaving the Dogras (now
were held on both economic and political under Dogra King Gulab Singh in Jammu) as
levels. It has been also established that the supreme authority in Ladakh. A treaty
Ladakh was treated as an independent entity (between the Dogras, Tibet and the Ladakhi
by the Chinese. kings) was signed on 17 September, 1842
It was during the early 1820–30s the British where it was decided that the Dogras were
started taking an interest but decided that it the rulers of Ladakh (through the Ladakhi
would serve them best to let Maharaja Ranjit kings) and the Tibetans would keep control
Singh, who was the all-powerful ruler of of their area ( Tibet). The treaty specified that
Punjab and Kashmir, take control of Ladakh all of Ladakh including Aksai Chin came
and thereby indirectly control it. Maharaja under the State of Jammu & Kashmir and
Ranjit Singh in turn asked the powerful was formalized by the British and Dogras
Dogra Generals to lead the force. In 1834 separately demarcating the boundaries. It
the famous Dogra general Zorawar Singh was also decided that there would be deep
led a force to conquer ladakh- which he friendship politically between Ladakh &
did and for the next five years consolidated Tibet (please remember that as both areas
the area of Ladakh. By 1840 he had firm were Buddhist there was no problem with
control over Ladakh and neighbouring state the religious side). Most importantly it was
of Baltistan to the west. He soon turned also decided that trade routes would remain
Eastwards towards the lucrative North open and allow unfettered trade.
Western Tibet – basically to control the Unfortunately the information given to
lucrative wool trade. It is said that being a the Chinese Emperor in Peking was highly
devout Hindu he was keen to visit Kailash distorted and furthermost from the actual
Mansarover, but decided to capture the picture. Conveniently this interpretation is
territory as he went along. Having reached what the Chinese refer to and not the actual
as far as Taklatok on the Tibet–Nepal border, happenings. They argue that Tibet was
the alarmed British were concerned that if subordinate to the Chinese Imperial Court
the valiant Dogras (along with the much and could not take any decisions or treaties
larger Sikh force combined) and Nepalese on political and economic issues. That treaty
got together and marched on Tibet then they very specifically states that “not now or in
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