ABSTRACT
Tibet, although under formal Chinese suzerainty, was for centuries independent in practice, and ruled by successive Dalai Lamas, who were also the religious leaders of a devoutly Buddhist people. In 1950, however, the communists who had won China’s civil war occupied Tibet. Large numbers of Chinese were then settled in Lhasa, the capital, and other parts of the country. Several revolts were suppressed. During one of them, in 1959, the Dalai Lama escaped to India.
