ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the situation in Tibet in the first half of the twentieth century. While at certain stages I look back to more ancient times, my main focus is the period between 1900 and 1959. It describes an important time as the exile Tibetan community refers to it in the current political discussion on the present and future status of Tibet. Traditions and values of the ‘old times’ significantly determine the exile Tibetan’s perspective of their homeland and the political claims of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (CTA).
