Chiefdom of Lithang
Chiefdom of Lithang (Tibetan: ལི་ཐང་, Wylie: li thang ), or Chiefdom of Litang (Chinese: 理塘土司), was an autonomous Tusi chiefdom ruled Litang (present day Litang County of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) during Qing dynasty. Lithang, Bathang, Chakla and Derge were called "Four Great Native Chiefdom in Kham" (康区四大土司) by Chinese.[1][2]
Chiefdom of Lithang ལི་ཐང་ | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1719–1906 | |||||||||
| Capital | Lithang | ||||||||
| Common languages | Khams Tibetan | ||||||||
| chieftain | |||||||||
• 1719–17?? | Le An Bang (first) | ||||||||
• 18??–1906 | Sonam Dradul (last) | ||||||||
| vice chieftain | |||||||||
• 1719-17?? | Chokyi Gyatso (first) | ||||||||
• 18??-1906 | Atra (last) | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
• Established | 1719 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 1906 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Today part of |  | ||||||||
At first Lithang was ruled by Khoshut Khanate. Lamas of Lithang Monastery were appointed the desi (governor) to govern here.[2] In 1719, a Chinese army under Yue Zhongqi marched to conquer Tibet, Lithang lama surrendered to Chinese. 7th Dalai Lama's stepfather was appointed the chieftain by China; Lithang lama was appointed the vice chieftain. In 1725, Lithang was separated from Tibet. From then on, it was under the jurisdiction of Sichuan.[1]
Lithang revolted against Qing China in 1905. However, the rebellion was soon put down by Zhao Erfeng.[3] The last chieftain was killed in action, and vice chieftain committed suicide. Lithang was annexed by China in the next year.
References
- 清王朝敕封的康区土司
- 林俊华 (2014-06-10). "康巴四大土司之理塘土司" (第四期(总第211期)). 四川民族学院校报. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
- Schaeffer, Kurtis R.; Kapstein, Matthew; Tuttle, Gray, eds. (2013). Sources of Tibetan Tradition (illustrated ed.). Columbia University Press. p. xxxvi. ISBN 023113598X. Retrieved 24 April 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)