page_title: Tsarong
section_title: Relations with People's Republic of China in Tibet (1950–1959)
hierarchical_section_title: Tsarong / Relations with People's Republic of China in Tibet (1950–1959)
caption_attribution_description: Tsarong in captivity
context_page_description: Tsarong Dazang Dramdul commonly known simply as Tsarong or by his title Tsarong Dzasa, was a Commander General of Tibet, a Tibetan diplomat, economist, civil engineer and close aide of the 13th Dalai Lama. He was an important figure in the early twentieth century conflict with the Chinese and was active in protecting Tibet militarily as the Commander in Chief of Tibet. Eager to accelerate economic progression and pursue the modernisation of Tibet, Tsarong believed that the old order in Tibet had to be broken by hierarchical reforms to prepare the way for a more modern society which would be compatible with the outside world. In his efforts to build up Tibet's defense systems and relations with European powers as well as to facilitate trade and strengthen the Tibetan currency, he made a series of diplomatic visits to British India.
context_section_description: In the late 1940s and 1950s the threat from the Chinese grew increasingly ominous. In 1959 a revolt broke out in Lhasa against the Chinese government. Tsarong had been appointed to use his diplomatic skills to head a delegation to negotiate with the Chinese authorities in Lhasa but before negotiations could be finalized, Lhasa came under fire with bombing of the Potala and Norbulingka palaces.  Several hundred Tibetans died in the attack (with approximately 87,000 dying in genocidal reprisals after the uprising's failure) and Tsarong and a number of other important officials were captured during the battle, or others died.  Shortly after his arrest, on 14 May 1959, Tsarong died in a Chinese military prison in Lhasa.
caption: Tsarong and Tibetan monks captured by the People's Liberation Army in March 1959 in an image taken from a Chinese propaganda film just before his death in prison shortly before his public "struggle session" and death
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