Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108858 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11-04
• Format: Abridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Synopsis
In 1903, a British missionary force under the leadership of Colonel Francis Younghusband crossed over the border from India and invaded Tibet. Younghusband insisted on the presence of the Dalai Lama at meetings to give tribute to the British and their Empire. The Dalai Lama merely said he must withdraw. Unable to tolerate such an insolent attitude, Younghusband marched forward and inflicted considerable defeats on the Tibetans in several one-sided battles. This is an account of his actions. Uncovered Editions are historic official papers which have not previously been available in a popular form.

Customer Reviews

saves many trips to the British Library
This is "just" a dry transcription of correspondence between the expedition staff and India that ends abrutly after the advance to Gyantse, so the advance and battles to Llhasa are not covered.
However, it is obviously authorative, and useful for the next steps in researching this period, as a collection like this is devoid of perspective or analysis.
From the correspondence you can get a feel of the probing mentality developed though a century of Great Game playing (reports include feeding and logistics information needed for an future army's advance) and the styles of diplomacy in this area; it becomes apparent that Younghusband has more than a touch of the Curzon in him at this period, with his bravado, pomp, single mindedness, and determination. Of note is the near absence of any reference to Russia in the correspondence; for such a forward school Game player I found this interesting.
Reading between the lines, it soon becomes easy to guess how exasperated the force must have become after a year of trapsing around the high plains and mountains, and how obvious that the Amban and the senior Tibetans are incapable of recognising or diffusing trouble.
The shame is, it seems this attitude has persisted for decades since, and that indifference and inaction have been key policies in the region.