Tibet: The Himalayan Region

India has always looked upon Tibet, "the roof of the world" with traditional reverence and an autonomous buffer state. For more than five centuries, the Chinese have attempted to subjugate Tibet, though with no success, till the huge People’s Liberation Army (PLA) finally overwhelmed the resistance put up by Tibetan chieftains and finally occupied in October 1950. As a result thereof the Dalai Lama and lakhs of Tibetans migrated to India as refugees and settled in several states. The author has done a scholarly work, weaving the whole theme into fourteen chapters including as many as twenty treaties and agreements signed from time to time. He has commenced with the early history of Tibet, beliefs and practices of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama as the seal of authority, Chinese control over Tibet, British Missions to Tibet, Indo-China dispute on Tibetan frontier, Nehru’s meeting with Dalai Lama, Tibetan refugees and developmental schemes for them, Dalai Lama’s consistent efforts to regain his position in Tibet and the future status of Tibet. Dr. Giriraj Shah has meticulously covered religion, society and politics in Tibetan region and has given several details having deep bearing on this Himalayan region which is the ‘worst victim’ of political circumstances since 1950s. The solution, if any, in favour of Tibetans, appear to be dim in the present circumstances. This work is useful for social scientists, teachers, researchers and students interested in the history, culture and political developments in this Himalayan region. Tibet, the Himalayan State, had been in controversy between India and China. India had always looked upon Tibet as an autonomous buffer state. The Chinese thrust in 1950 took India almost unawares and this was serious warning to the Indian government. The Dalai Lama’s flight to India along with numerous Tibetans became Nehru’s problem. The Indo-China war resulted into a serious debacle for our armed forces and this led to the China’s occupation of Tibet. The Dalai Lama, well-settled in India, sought the support of the United Nations as well as goodwill of other powers to regain his political status. "The them is well-weaved into 14 chapters and all problems have been dealt with comprehensively.