Tibetan Empire: Map & History
The Tibetan Empire was centered on the Tibetan Plateau and formed as a result of expansions under the Yarlung dynasty's 33rd king, Songtsen Gampo, in the 7th century.
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The Tibetan Empire was centered on the Tibetan Plateau and formed as a result of expansions under the Yarlung dynasty's 33rd king, Songtsen Gampo, in the 7th century. It expanded further under Trisong Detsen and reached its greatest extent under Tritsuk Detsen, stretching east to Chang'an, west beyond modern Afghanistan, south into modern India and the Bay of Bengal. It is referred to as Tufan or Tubo (吐蕃) in Chinese sources.
Modern Countries Once Part of Tibetan Empire
At its mapped extent, Tibetan Empire covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Tibetan Empire's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Tibetan Empire in Depth
History
The power that became the Tibetan state originated at the Taktsé Castle (Wylie: Stag-rtse) in the Chingba (Phying-ba) district of Chonggyä (Phyongs-rgyas). There, according to the Old Tibetan Chronicle, a group convinced Tagbu Nyazig (Stag-bu snya-gzigs) to rebel against Gudri Zingpoje (Dgu-gri Zing-po-rje), who was, in turn, a vassal of the Zhangzhung empire under the Lig myi dynasty. The group prevailed against Zingpoje. At this point Namri Songtsen (also known as Namri Löntsän) was the leader of a clan which one by one prevailed over all his neighbouring clans. He besieged the Kingdom of Sumpa in the early 7th century and eventually conquered it. He gained control of all the area around what is now Lhasa, before his assassination around 618.
Military
The soldiers of the Tibetan Empire wore armour such as lamellar and chainmail, and were proficient in the use of swords and lances. According to the Tibetan author Tashi Namgyal, writing in 1524, the history of lamellar armour in Tibet was divided into three distinct periods. The oldest armour dated from the time of the "Righteous Kings, Uncle, and Nephew" which would place it sometime during the Yarlung dynasty, early seventh to mid ninth century.
"The men and horses all wear chain mail armor. Its workmanship is extremely fine. It envelops them completely, leaving openings only for the two eyes. Thus, strong bows and sharp swords cannot injure them. When they do battle, they must dismount and array themselves in ranks. When one dies, another takes his place.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Tibetan Empire (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Tibetan Empire: Key Facts
| Capital | Lhasa |
|---|---|
| Religions | Bon, Tibetan Buddhism |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 618 CE |
| Dissolved | 842 CE |
Preceded by
- Tuyuhun
- Zhangzhung
Facts from Wikidata Q2431480 (CC0).
Tibetan Empire Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Tibetan Empire appears, with the other states of the time.
Tibetan Empire Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 3,856,844 km² in 844 CE.
Tibetan Empire: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Tibetan Empire exist?
The Tibetan Empire is dated to 623 CE – 849 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Tibetan Empire?
The capital of the Tibetan Empire was Lhasa.
How large was the Tibetan Empire at its peak?
At its peak in 844 AD the Tibetan Empire covered about 3,856,844 km².
Other Sovereign Realms
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Constantinople
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Early Middle Ages • Capital: Chang'an
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Bianjing