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(Created page with "'''Namri Songtsen''' ({{bo|w=gNam-ri srong-btsan}}),<ref>{{Nolinking|Stein (1972), p. 298.}}</ref> also known as "Namri Löntsen" ({{bo|w=gNam-ri slon-mtshan}}) (5...") |
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| − | '''Namri Songtsen''' ({{bo|w=[[gNam-ri srong-btsan]]}}),<ref>{{Nolinking|Stein (1972), p. 298.}}</ref> also known as "[[Namri Löntsen]]" ({{bo|w=[[gNam-ri slon-mtshan]]}}) (570?–618?/629) was, according to tradition, [[List of emperors of Tibet|the 32nd King of Tibet]] (Yarlung Dynasty), despite the fact he formerly ruled only the {{Wiki|Yarlung Valley}}, and later the central part of the {{Wiki|Tibetan plateau}}. His actions were decisive in the setting up of the [[Tibet]]an Empire (7th century), to which he can be named co-founder, with his son, [[Songtsen Gampo]]. | + | {{DisplayImages|1452|1678}} |
| + | '''[[Namri Songtsen]]''' ({{bo|w=[[gNam-ri srong-btsan]]}}),<ref>{{Nolinking|Stein (1972), p. 298.}}</ref> also known as "[[Namri Löntsen]]" ({{bo|w=[[gNam-ri slon-mtshan]]}}) (570?–618?/629) was, according to [[tradition]], [[List of emperors of Tibet|the 32nd King of Tibet]] ({{Wiki|Yarlung Dynasty}}), despite the fact he formerly ruled only the {{Wiki|Yarlung Valley}}, and later the central part of the {{Wiki|Tibetan plateau}}. His [[actions]] were decisive in the setting up of the [[Tibet]]an [[Empire]] (7th century), to which he can be named co-founder, with his son, [[Songtsen Gampo]]. | ||
== Context == | == Context == | ||
| − | [[Namri Songtsen]] was a member of the Yarlung tribe, located to the southeast of [[Lhasa]], in the fertile {{Wiki|Yarlung Valley}}<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5">{{Nolinking|Kolmaš, 1967, p.5}}</ref> where the Tsangpo (known in India as the [[Wikipedia:Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]]) supported both agriculture and human life. The {{Wiki|Tibetan plateau}} was, at this time, a mosaic of clans of mountain shepherds with simple nomadic organizations<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> where inter-tribal fighting and [[Wikipedia:Ghazi (warrior)#Razzia|razzia sorties]] are part of the local economy.<ref>{{Nolinking|Robert Brainerd Ekvall, ''Fields on the hoof: nexus of Tibetan nomadic pastoralism,''Waveland Press, 1983 pp. 52-3.}}</ref> Each clan had several chiefs. These clans had few material and cultural exchanges according to topography, climate, and distances, which means that each clan, located in a specified network of valleys, had its own culture with little in common with other clans.<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> These "proto-Tibetans" were isolated from relations with the outside world, though some mountain groups to the east in {{Wiki|Sichuan}}, {{Wiki|Qinghai}} and the [[Wikipedia:Tuyuhun Kingdom|'Azha kingdom]] dwelt in border areas contiguous with, or within, the Chinese empire.<ref>Kolmaš, 1967, p.?</ref> Early Chinese sources appear to mention proto-Tibetan peoples in a few rare cases, if the [[Wikipedia:Qiang people|Qiang]] and [[Wikipedia:Xirong|Rong]] do indeed refer to them.<ref>{{Nolinking|Kolmaš, 1967, p.2 : The 羌 ([[Wikipedia:Qiang people|Qiang]]) and 戎 ([[Wikipedia:Xirong|Rong]]) appear on {{Wiki|oracle bones}} as early as the 13th and 12th century BC.}}</ref> This changed dramatically by the beginning of {{Wiki|Tang Dynasty}}, the Tibetan kingdom becoming a powerful player in the military history of [[Wikipedia:East Asia|Eastern]] and {{Wiki|Central Asia}}. | + | [[Namri Songtsen]] was a member of the [[Yarlung]] tribe, located to the [[southeast]] of [[Lhasa]], in the {{Wiki|fertile}} {{Wiki|Yarlung Valley}}<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5">{{Nolinking|Kolmaš, 1967, p.5}}</ref> where the {{Wiki|Tsangpo}} (known in [[India]] as the [[Wikipedia:Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]]) supported both {{Wiki|agriculture}} and [[human]] [[life]]. The {{Wiki|Tibetan plateau}} was, at this [[time]], a mosaic of {{Wiki|clans}} of mountain shepherds with simple [[nomadic]] organizations<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> where inter-tribal fighting and [[Wikipedia:Ghazi (warrior)#Razzia|razzia sorties]] are part of the local economy.<ref>{{Nolinking|Robert Brainerd Ekvall, ''Fields on the hoof: nexus of Tibetan nomadic pastoralism,''Waveland Press, 1983 pp. 52-3.}}</ref> Each {{Wiki|clan}} had several chiefs. These {{Wiki|clans}} had few material and {{Wiki|cultural}} exchanges according to topography, climate, and distances, which means that each {{Wiki|clan}}, located in a specified network of valleys, had its own {{Wiki|culture}} with little in common with other {{Wiki|clans}}.<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> These "proto-Tibetans" were isolated from relations with the outside [[world]], though some mountain groups to the [[east]] in {{Wiki|Sichuan}}, {{Wiki|Qinghai}} and the [[Wikipedia:Tuyuhun Kingdom|'Azha kingdom]] dwelt in border areas contiguous with, or within, the {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[empire]].<ref>Kolmaš, 1967, p.?</ref> Early {{Wiki|Chinese}} sources appear to mention proto-Tibetan peoples in a few rare cases, if the [[Wikipedia:Qiang people|Qiang]] and [[Wikipedia:Xirong|Rong]] do indeed refer to them.<ref>{{Nolinking|Kolmaš, 1967, p.2 : The 羌 ([[Wikipedia:Qiang people|Qiang]]) and 戎 ([[Wikipedia:Xirong|Rong]]) appear on {{Wiki|oracle bones}} as early as the 13th and 12th century BC.}}</ref> This changed dramatically by the beginning of {{Wiki|Tang Dynasty}}, the [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|kingdom}} becoming a powerful player in the {{Wiki|military}} history of [[Wikipedia:East Asia|Eastern]] and {{Wiki|Central Asia}}. |
| − | Several Tibetan historical accounts say that it was in [[Namri Songtsen's]] time that Tibetans obtained their first knowledge of astrology and medicine from China.<ref>{{Nolinking|Bsod-nams-rgyal-mtshan (Sa-skya-pa Bla-ma Dam-pa),''The clear mirror'': | + | Several [[Tibetan]] historical accounts say that it was in [[Namri Songtsen's]] [[time]] that [[Tibetans]] obtained their first [[knowledge]] of [[astrology]] and [[medicine]] from [[China]].<ref>{{Nolinking|Bsod-nams-rgyal-mtshan (Sa-skya-pa Bla-ma Dam-pa),''The clear mirror'': |
| − | a traditional account of Tibet's golden age, tr. McComas Taylor and Lama Choedak Yuthok, Snow Lion Publications, 1996 p.90.}}</ref> Others associate the introduction of these sciences with his son.<ref>{{Nolinking|{{Wiki|Rolf Alfred Stein}}, ''Tibetan Civilization,'' {{Wiki|Stanford University Press}}, 1972 p. 51.}}</ref> In the period, knowledge of these and other sciences came from a variety of countries, not only from China,<ref>{{Nolinking|Jean-Claude Martzloff, ''A history of chinese mathematics,'' Springer 206 p.110.}}</ref> but also from Buddhist India, Byzantium,<ref>{{Nolinking|Dan Martin, 'Greek and Islamic Medicines' Historical Contact with Tibet: A Reassessment in View of Recently Available but Relatively Early Sources on Tibetan Medical Eclecticism'' in Anna Akasoy, Charles Burnett, Ronit Yoeli-Tlalim (eds.)''Islam and Tibet: Interactions Along the Musk Routes,'' Ashgate 2011,pp.117-144, p. 128.}}</ref><ref>{{Nolinking|Christopher I. Beckwith, 'The Introduction of Greek Medicine into Tibet in the Seventh and Eighth Centuries,' in ''Journal of the American Oriental Society,'' 99:2 (1979) pp. 297-313.}}</ref> {{Wiki|Central Asia}}<ref>{{Nolinking|Henk Blezer et al., 'Brief Outlook:Desiderata in the Study of the History of Tibetan Medicine,' in Mona Schrempf (ed.) ''Soundings in Tibetan medicine: anthropological and historical perspectives,'' Brill, 207 pp. 427-437, p. 430 n.5.}}</ref> | + | a traditional account of Tibet's golden age, tr. McComas Taylor and Lama Choedak Yuthok, Snow Lion Publications, 1996 p.90.}}</ref> Others associate the introduction of these {{Wiki|sciences}} with his son.<ref>{{Nolinking|{{Wiki|Rolf Alfred Stein}}, ''[[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|Civilization}},'' {{Wiki|Stanford University Press}}, 1972 p. 51.}}</ref> In the period, [[knowledge]] of these and other {{Wiki|sciences}} came from a variety of countries, not only from [[China]],<ref>{{Nolinking|Jean-Claude Martzloff, ''A history of chinese mathematics,'' Springer 206 p.110.}}</ref> but also from [[Buddhist]] [[India]], {{Wiki|Byzantium}},<ref>{{Nolinking|Dan Martin, 'Greek and Islamic Medicines' Historical Contact with Tibet: A Reassessment in View of Recently Available but Relatively Early Sources on Tibetan Medical Eclecticism'' in Anna Akasoy, Charles Burnett, Ronit Yoeli-Tlalim (eds.)''Islam and Tibet: Interactions Along the Musk Routes,'' Ashgate 2011,pp.117-144, p. 128.}}</ref><ref>{{Nolinking|Christopher I. Beckwith, 'The Introduction of Greek Medicine into Tibet in the Seventh and Eighth Centuries,' in ''Journal of the American Oriental Society,'' 99:2 (1979) pp. 297-313.}}</ref> {{Wiki|Central Asia}}<ref>{{Nolinking|Henk Blezer et al., 'Brief Outlook:Desiderata in the Study of the History of Tibetan Medicine,' in Mona Schrempf (ed.) ''Soundings in Tibetan medicine: anthropological and historical perspectives,'' Brill, 207 pp. 427-437, p. 430 n.5.}}</ref> |
| − | == Upbringing and life == | + | == Upbringing and [[life]] == |
| − | Around 600, [[Namri Songtsen]], one of the several Yarlung tribal chieftains, become the uncontested leader of the several Yarlung clans. Using shepherd-warriors he subdued the neighbouring tribes one after another. Expanding his rule to all of modern Central Tibet, including the Lhasa region<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> allowed him to rule over many groups, and to begin the establishment of a centralized and strong state, with skilled troops who gained experience in their many battles in the early 7th century. This formed an important base for the later conquests by his son, which unified the whole of the Tibetan plateau.<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> According to Beckwith, [[Namri Songtsen]] sent the first diplomatic missions to open relations with China, in 608 and 609.<ref>{{Nolinking|Beckwith, C. Uni. de l'Indiana Diss. 1977}}</ref> | + | Around 600, [[Namri Songtsen]], one of the several [[Yarlung]] tribal chieftains, become the uncontested leader of the several [[Yarlung]] {{Wiki|clans}}. Using shepherd-warriors he subdued the neighbouring tribes one after another. Expanding his rule to all of {{Wiki|modern}} {{Wiki|Central Tibet}}, including the [[Lhasa]] region<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> allowed him to rule over many groups, and to begin the establishment of a centralized and strong state, with [[skilled]] troops who gained [[experience]] in their many battles in the early 7th century. This formed an important base for the later conquests by his son, which unified the whole of the [[Tibetan]] plateau.<ref name="Kolmaš, 1967, p.5"/> According to Beckwith, [[Namri Songtsen]] sent the first diplomatic missions to open relations with [[China]], in 608 and 609.<ref>{{Nolinking|Beckwith, C. Uni. de l'Indiana Diss. 1977}}</ref> |
== Assassination and succession == | == Assassination and succession == | ||
| − | [[Namri Songtsen]] was assassinated by poisoning in 618 or 629/630), by a {{Wiki|coup d'état}} which finally failed, being crushed by [[Namri Songtsen's]] son, who developed his heritage, completing the submission of the {{Wiki|Tibetan plateau}}, and, according to later histories, introduced a unified legal code, a Tibetan writing system, an archive for official records, an army, and relations with the outside world. | + | [[Namri Songtsen]] was assassinated by poisoning in 618 or 629/630), by a {{Wiki|coup d'état}} which finally failed, being crushed by [[Namri Songtsen's]] son, who developed his heritage, completing the submission of the {{Wiki|Tibetan plateau}}, and, according to later histories, introduced a unified legal code, a [[Tibetan]] [[writing]] system, an archive for official records, an {{Wiki|army}}, and relations with the outside [[world]]. |
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
=== Sources === | === Sources === | ||
| − | {{Nolinking|* Josef Kolmaš, ''Tibet and Imperial China, A Survey of Sino-Tibetan Relations up to the End of the Madchu Dynasty in 1912''. Occasional paper No. 7, The {{Wiki|Australian National University}}, Centre of Oriental Studies, {{Wiki|Canberra}}, 1967. Page 7-11/67. ([http://picasaweb.google.com/hugo.lpz/TibetAndImperialChina/photo#s5192105797551575666 lire en ligne], appuyer sur F11 pour l'affichage plein écran) | + | {{Nolinking|* Josef Kolmaš, ''Tibet and Imperial China, A Survey of Sino-Tibetan Relations up to the End of the Madchu Dynasty in 1912''. Occasional paper No. 7, The {{Wiki|Australian National University}}, Centre of {{Wiki|Oriental Studies}}, {{Wiki|Canberra}}, 1967. Page 7-11/67. ([http://picasaweb.google.com/hugo.lpz/TibetAndImperialChina/photo#s5192105797551575666 lire en ligne], appuyer sur F11 pour l'affichage plein écran) |
| − | *Stein, R. A. (1972). ''Tibetan Civilization''. Faber and Faber, London; {{Wiki|Stanford University Press}}, {{Wiki|Stanford, California}}. ISBN 0-8047-0806-1 (cloth); ISBN 0-8047-0901-7.}} | + | *Stein, R. A. (1972). ''[[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|Civilization}}''. Faber and Faber, {{Wiki|London}}; {{Wiki|Stanford University Press}}, {{Wiki|Stanford, California}}. ISBN 0-8047-0806-1 (cloth); ISBN 0-8047-0901-7.}} |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 25: | Line 26: | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Tibetan emperors]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:12, 8 April 2014
Namri Songtsen (Wylie: gNam-ri srong-btsan),[1] also known as "Namri Löntsen" (Wylie: gNam-ri slon-mtshan) (570?–618?/629) was, according to tradition, the 32nd King of Tibet (Yarlung Dynasty), despite the fact he formerly ruled only the Yarlung Valley, and later the central part of the Tibetan plateau. His actions were decisive in the setting up of the Tibetan Empire (7th century), to which he can be named co-founder, with his son, Songtsen Gampo.
Context
Namri Songtsen was a member of the Yarlung tribe, located to the southeast of Lhasa, in the fertile Yarlung Valley[2] where the Tsangpo (known in India as the Brahmaputra) supported both agriculture and human life. The Tibetan plateau was, at this time, a mosaic of clans of mountain shepherds with simple nomadic organizations[2] where inter-tribal fighting and razzia sorties are part of the local economy.[3] Each clan had several chiefs. These clans had few material and cultural exchanges according to topography, climate, and distances, which means that each clan, located in a specified network of valleys, had its own culture with little in common with other clans.[2] These "proto-Tibetans" were isolated from relations with the outside world, though some mountain groups to the east in Sichuan, Qinghai and the 'Azha kingdom dwelt in border areas contiguous with, or within, the Chinese empire.[4] Early Chinese sources appear to mention proto-Tibetan peoples in a few rare cases, if the Qiang and Rong do indeed refer to them.[5] This changed dramatically by the beginning of Tang Dynasty, the Tibetan kingdom becoming a powerful player in the military history of Eastern and Central Asia.
Several Tibetan historical accounts say that it was in Namri Songtsen's time that Tibetans obtained their first knowledge of astrology and medicine from China.[6] Others associate the introduction of these sciences with his son.[7] In the period, knowledge of these and other sciences came from a variety of countries, not only from China,[8] but also from Buddhist India, Byzantium,[9][10] Central Asia[11]
Upbringing and life
Around 600, Namri Songtsen, one of the several Yarlung tribal chieftains, become the uncontested leader of the several Yarlung clans. Using shepherd-warriors he subdued the neighbouring tribes one after another. Expanding his rule to all of modern Central Tibet, including the Lhasa region[2] allowed him to rule over many groups, and to begin the establishment of a centralized and strong state, with skilled troops who gained experience in their many battles in the early 7th century. This formed an important base for the later conquests by his son, which unified the whole of the Tibetan plateau.[2] According to Beckwith, Namri Songtsen sent the first diplomatic missions to open relations with China, in 608 and 609.[12]
Assassination and succession
Namri Songtsen was assassinated by poisoning in 618 or 629/630), by a coup d'état which finally failed, being crushed by Namri Songtsen's son, who developed his heritage, completing the submission of the Tibetan plateau, and, according to later histories, introduced a unified legal code, a Tibetan writing system, an archive for official records, an army, and relations with the outside world.
Footnotes
- ↑ Stein (1972), p. 298.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Kolmaš, 1967, p.5
- ↑ Robert Brainerd Ekvall, Fields on the hoof: nexus of Tibetan nomadic pastoralism,Waveland Press, 1983 pp. 52-3.
- ↑ Kolmaš, 1967, p.?
- ↑ Kolmaš, 1967, p.2 : The 羌 (Qiang) and 戎 (Rong) appear on oracle bones as early as the 13th and 12th century BC.
- ↑ Bsod-nams-rgyal-mtshan (Sa-skya-pa Bla-ma Dam-pa),The clear mirror: a traditional account of Tibet's golden age, tr. McComas Taylor and Lama Choedak Yuthok, Snow Lion Publications, 1996 p.90.
- ↑ Rolf Alfred Stein, Tibetan Civilization, Stanford University Press, 1972 p. 51.
- ↑ Jean-Claude Martzloff, A history of chinese mathematics, Springer 206 p.110.
- ↑ Dan Martin, 'Greek and Islamic Medicines' Historical Contact with Tibet: A Reassessment in View of Recently Available but Relatively Early Sources on Tibetan Medical Eclecticism in Anna Akasoy, Charles Burnett, Ronit Yoeli-Tlalim (eds.)Islam and Tibet: Interactions Along the Musk Routes, Ashgate 2011,pp.117-144, p. 128.
- ↑ Christopher I. Beckwith, 'The Introduction of Greek Medicine into Tibet in the Seventh and Eighth Centuries,' in Journal of the American Oriental Society, 99:2 (1979) pp. 297-313.
- ↑ Henk Blezer et al., 'Brief Outlook:Desiderata in the Study of the History of Tibetan Medicine,' in Mona Schrempf (ed.) Soundings in Tibetan medicine: anthropological and historical perspectives, Brill, 207 pp. 427-437, p. 430 n.5.
- ↑ Beckwith, C. Uni. de l'Indiana Diss. 1977
Sources
- Josef Kolmaš, Tibet and Imperial China, A Survey of Sino-Tibetan Relations up to the End of the Madchu Dynasty in 1912. Occasional paper No. 7, The Australian National University, Centre of Oriental Studies, Canberra, 1967. Page 7-11/67. (lire en ligne, appuyer sur F11 pour l'affichage plein écran)
- Stein, R. A. (1972). Tibetan Civilization. Faber and Faber, London; Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. ISBN 0-8047-0806-1 (cloth); ISBN 0-8047-0901-7.
