On 25 February 1910, the 13th Dalai Lama, Thupten Gyatso, fled Tibet for British India as Chinese imperial forces advanced into Lhasa, seeking to assert their dominance over the region.
The Qing dynasty, under the regency of the ambitious Zhao Erfeng, had been tightening its grip on Tibet, dismissing its autonomy and enforcing direct rule with military might.
Recognising the imminent threat to his life and the sovereignty of Tibet, the Dalai Lama embarked on a perilous journey across the treacherous mountain passes, seeking refuge under British protection in Darjeeling.
His exile not only symbolised Tibet’s struggle against Chinese hegemony but also cemented his role as a key figure in Tibetan resistance, laying the groundwork for future political and diplomatic manoeuvres in Tibet’s quest for self-rule.
