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First view of Gyantse town, from a fascinating album which reveals new details on a little-known campaign in which a British military force brushed aside Tibetan defences to capture Lhasa, in 1904
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First view of Gyantse town, from a fascinating album which reveals new details on a little-known campaign in which a British military force brushed aside Tibetan defences to capture Lhasa, in 1904
First view of Gyantse town, from a fascinating album which reveals new details on a little-known campaign in which a British military force brushed aside Tibetan defences to capture Lhasa, in 1904. The Tibet Expedition was launched from India and sanctioned by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, who was concerned over Russian influence and supposed advance toward the border. The expedition eventually gained a number of concessions from Tibet, nominally under Chinese control at the time, but whether the effort was worth the return is certainly up for debate. This album came by direct descent from the family of Captain William Charles Hayman, ADC to the expedition's leader, Colonel Francis Younghusband of the Indian Political Service (Younghusband was accompanied by a strong military escort commanded by Brigadier General James Macdonald). The photographs show various elements of the expedition: military, monasteries, scenery, towns and locals. Date: 1904
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Advance Campaign Capture Gyantse Hayman Journey Lhasa Reportage Tibet Tibetan
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken in 1904, offers a first glimpse into Gyantse town as seen by the British military force during the Tibet Expedition. Led by Colonel Francis Younghusband of the Indian Political Service, this expedition was launched from India under the auspices of Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, in response to growing concerns over Russian influence and perceived advances toward the border. The album from which this image is taken is a fascinating record of this little-known campaign, revealing new details on the British military's efforts to capture Lhasa. Accompanied by a strong military escort commanded by Brigadier General James Macdonald, Younghusband's expedition eventually gained a number of concessions from Tibet, which was nominally under Chinese control at the time. The photographs in this album offer a unique perspective on the expedition, capturing various elements of the military, monasteries, scenic vistas, towns, and local inhabitants. This image, in particular, provides a striking view of Gyantse town, with its impressive fortress and surrounding landscape. The value of the Tibet Expedition is still a subject of debate, as its successes came at a significant cost and did not prevent further Russian encroachment into Tibetan territory. Nonetheless, this photograph and the album as a whole offer a valuable window into a pivotal moment in the history of British-Tibetan relations and the broader geopolitical landscape of the early 20th century.
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