Provisional Periodization Scheme for History of Central Tibet

Bryan J. Cuevas, March 2003. Please note that this is a suggested historical periodization of Central Tibet. It does not attempt to integrate all Tibetan-speaking regions, including the eastern borderland areas in Khams and Amdo.

Imperial Age (610-929):

• Early Imperial Period (c. pre-610)
• Late Imperial Period/Yar lung Dynasty (c. 610-929)

Age of Fragmentation (929-1249):

• Local Hegemonic Period (c. 929-1056)
• Period of the Emergence of Monastic Principalities (c. 1056-1249)

Age of Monastic Hegemony (1249-1705):

• Sa skya Period - Sa skya pa Hegemony (c. 1249-1354)
• Sne'u dong Period - Phag mo gru pa Hegemony (c. 1354-1478)
• Rin spungs Period - Zhwa dmar pa Hegemony (c. 1478-1565)
• Gzhis ka rtse Period - Karma pa Hegemony (c. 1565-1642)
• Lhasa Period - Dga' ldan pa Hegemony (c. 1642-1705)

Age of Foreign Interests and Occupation (1705-present)

• Period of Qoshot Mongol Rule (c. 1705-1717)
• Period of Dzungar Mongol Occupation (c. 1717-1720)
• Period of the Manchu Protectorate - Dge lugs pa Hegemony (c. 1720-1911)
• Period of British Interest (c. 1888-1914)
• Period of Tibetan Independence (c. 1914-1951)
• Period of Chinese Communist Occupation (c. 1951-present)