ABOVE: "The Dalai Lama on his fourth day fleeing to India, the Dalai can be seen on the white horse in the middle of the photo."
SOURCE: Associated Press
SOURCE: Associated Press
Fled to India to Escape Chinese Forces
On March 16, 1959, “Chinese heavy artillery was seen being moved to sites within range of Lhasa and particularly the Norbulinka. Rumours were rife of more troops being flown in from China. By nightfall Lhasa was certain that His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s palace was about to be shelled”(“Why Tibet? History Leading up to March 10, 1959”). Also, “. . .one of the decisive factors prompting [the Dalai Lama] to leave on 17 March was the explosion of two artillery shells near [his palace], presumably ared by the PLA”("The Tibetan Rebellion of 1959 and China’s Changing Relations with India and the Soviet Union").
“On 17 March 1959 during a consultation with the Nechung Oracle, His Holiness was given an explicit instruction to leave the country. The Oracle's decision was further confirmed when a divinity performed by His Holiness produced the same answer, even though the odds against making a successful break seemed terrifyingly high”(“Birth to Exile”).
Fearing for his life, “A few minutes before ten o'clock His Holiness, disguised as a common soldier, slipped past the massive throng of people along with a small escort and proceeded towards the Kyichu river, where he was joined by the rest of the entourage, including some of his immediate family members”(“Birth to Exile”).
“Local people soon learned of the Dalai Lama’s escape and flocked to the area to seek blessings from him, presenting an enormous problem for the party in their attempts to keep the escape route secret”(Shakya).
“After nearly two weeks trekking, the Dalai Lama and his party reached the Indian frontier.” At the border, “The Dalai Lama had been greeted by Indian troops, who led him to the Tawang Monastery where he rested until he undertook the week-long trek from 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) down to the town of Tezpur. . .”(“Witness: Reporting on the Dalai Lama's Escape to India").
When the Dalai Lama arrived in India, was granted political asylum by the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
ABOVE: "Dalai Lama Greeted By Nehru, Tibet 1959/4/30"