Native Name: | ལི་ཐང་ |
Conventional Long Name: | Chiefdom of Lithang |
Common Name: | Chiefdom of Lithang |
Status: | Chiefdom under the Chinese Tusi system |
Year Start: | 1719 |
Year End: | 1906 |
P1: | Khoshut Khanate |
S1: | Qing dynasty |
Capital: | Lithang |
Common Languages: | Khams Tibetan |
Title Leader: | chieftain |
Leader1: | Le An Bang (first) |
Year Leader1: | 1719–17?? |
Leader2: | Sonam Dradul (last) |
Year Leader2: | 18??–1906 |
Title Deputy: | vice chieftain |
Deputy1: | Chokyi Gyatso (first) |
Year Deputy1: | 1719-17?? |
Deputy2: | Atra (last) |
Year Deputy2: | 18??-1906 |
Today: | China |
Chiefdom of Lithang, or Chiefdom of Litang, was an autonomous Tusi chiefdom that ruled Litang (present day Litang County of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) during the Qing dynasty period. Lithang, Bathang, Chakla and Derge were called the "Four Great Native Chiefdoms in Kham" (康区四大土司) by the Chinese.[1]
At first Lithang was ruled by the Khoshut Khanate. Lamas of Lithang Monastery were appointed the desi (governor) to govern the region.[2] In 1719, a Chinese army under Yue Zhongqi marched to conquer Tibet, and the Lithang Lama surrendered to the Chinese. The 7th Dalai Lama's stepfather was appointed chieftain by China; Lithang Lama was appointed the vice chieftain. In 1725, Lithang was separated from Tibet. From then on, it was under the jurisdiction of Sichuan.[1]
Lithang revolted against Qing China in 1905. However, the rebellion was soon put down by Zhao Erfeng.[3]