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Tibet Overview: History
Ancient history | 20th century | Recent key events | History books
What followed was a period of mass destruction of Tibetan culture and life, all in the name of the 'Cultural Revolution'. Monasteries were systematically destroyed and Tibetan people were forced to carry out labouring work to extend the Chinese road and utility infrastructure through Tibet. The destructiveness of the 'Cultural Revolution' left no sacred item unturned throughout China. It was a tragic time in China's history - but even more so for Tibet. It marked the beginning of China's assertion that Tibet was an 'inalienable part of the motherland of China', and hence subject to all the destructive forces that were sweeping through China at the time. Over 6000 monasteries and ancient artefacts, books and universities were destroyed across Tibet and the damage will never be rectified.
The 14th Dalai Lama currently lives in exile in Northern India with hundreds of thousands of Tibetan refugees. The message that he continues to preach to the world is one of peace. The systematic destruction and repression of the Tibetan way of life in Tibet goes on.
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Gilded copper temple rooftop inside
Tashilunpo monastery, Shigatse
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