1959 The ruler and spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, has arrived safely in India after Chinese military occupation of his country has made his position in Lhasa impossible. He slipped quietly away on horseback, narrowly escaping capture by the Chinese. On his arrival in West Bengal the young priest-king was welcomed by thousands of Tibetans now also in exile. He was careful to avoid overt criticism of Chinese troops who are reported to be using force in their efforts to eradicate the country’s ancient Buddhist faith. Tibet was an independent nation until 1951, when China’s People’s Liberation Army invaded, crushing all resistance, imposing Chinese law, language and customs. Resentment at the communist suppression of religious customs boiled up into violent protests earlier this year, which were harshly put down. According to Tibetan sources an estimated 65,000 Tibetans lost their lives, while an equivalent number fled to safety in India. The Chinese have installed Panchen Lama in the Dalai Lama’s place.
