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Group of lamas, Buddhist spiritual leaders, 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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Group of lamas, Buddhist spiritual leaders, 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
Group of lamas, Buddhist spiritual leaders, 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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Media ID 32266066
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Advance Buddhism Buddhist Campaign Capture Hayman Journey Lama Lamas Leaders Lhasa Reportage Tibet Tibetan
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, a group of lamas, or Buddhist spiritual leaders, are gathered in the heart of Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, in 1904. This image is taken from an intriguing album that offers a unique perspective on a little-known campaign in which a British military force, led by Colonel Francis Younghusband of the Indian Political Service, successfully captured Lhasa, brushing aside Tibetan defenses. The Tibet Expedition, as it came to be known, was launched from India under the auspices of Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, who was deeply concerned over the perceived Russian influence and supposed advance toward the border. The expedition eventually secured a number of concessions from Tibet, which was nominally under Chinese control at the time. However, the question of whether the effort was worth the return remains a matter of debate. This fascinating album, which has been passed down through the family of Captain William Charles Hayman, who served as an ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to Colonel Younghusband, provides a rare glimpse into this pivotal moment in history. The photographs within the album offer a diverse range of subjects, from military scenes and monasteries to scenic vistas and local inhabitants. The lamas in this photograph are depicted in their traditional robes, their faces expressing a range of emotions, from contemplation to curiosity. Their presence in Lhasa during the British occupation underscores the complex interplay of politics, religion, and culture that characterized this period in Tibetan history. This image, along with the rest of the album, serves as an invaluable record of a time when the world was on the cusp of significant change, and the lines between empires and spiritual traditions were being redrawn.
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