The Water-Horse and Other Years

The water-horse and Other years is a history of Tibet during the 17th and 18th centuries, roughly covering the period from the First to the Seventh Dalai Lamas. It attempts to capture the sound and fury of the sectarian and regional conflicts and turmoil that dominated the larger part of some of the most violent and power-hungry chapters in Tibetan history, when diverse personalities such as Qusot Gushri Khan, Desi Sonam chophel, Karma Tenkyong Wangpo, Desi Sangay Gyatso, Qosot Lhazing Khan, Kanchenay Sona, Gyalpo, Miwang Pholanay Sonam Topgyal, Gyurmed Namgyal, and many other roamed across the Tibetan landscape in search f personal, sectarian, or regional victory and domination. And between the lines of these violent and frightening chapters run the lives the Dalai Lamas and the Panchen Lamas, constantly providing spiritual solace and strength to the suffering Tibetan masses crushed under ceaseless power struggles between the Tibetan regents, Mongol chiefs, and Manchu emperors. Above all, The Water-Horse and Other Years traces the political rise of Ganden Phodrang as personified in the person and institution of the Dalai Lamas, who have kept Tibet alive throughout the centuries.