Tibet's history goes back over 2,000 years and would fill several huge volumes.  The following bullet points cover some of the major events in that long history, in particular those which have a direct bearing on Tibet's claim to independence and to China's counter claims to Tibet.  A bibliography follows for those interested in digging deeper.

• Around 625CE Songtsen Gampo becomes king of Tibet.  Under his reign Buddhism is first introduced into the country and the Jokhang Cathedral of Lhasa is built.  Song-tsen dies around 650.


• In 763 Tibetans capture the capital of China, Chang-an.  Ultimately, in  821 a treaty is signed between the two countries (still preserved on a stone pillar in Lhasa).  The treaty fixes the frontier close to the present boundary of the Chinese province of Shensi.  Buddhism becomes the state religion and the first monastery is founded at Samye.


• Around 838 King Lang Darma accedes to the Tibetan throne and begins the suppression of Buddhism.  He is assassinated in 842 and subsequently Tibet breaks up into numerous small principalities, some monastic and some secular.  Two hundred years later there begins a revival of Buddhism in Tibet following the visit of the Buddhist teacher, Atisha from Bengal in India.


• 1207: Tibet sends a delegation to the Mongol emperor, Genghis Khan.  After his death in 1239 eastern Tibet is invaded by Godan Khan's army.  Sakya Pandita establishes friendly relations with Mongolia.


• In 1260 Kublai Khan grants Phagpa Lama supreme authority over Tibet.  During the 13th and 14th centuries the Sakya Order rules Tibet, the beginning of Tibet's unique monastic form of government.


• In 1357 Tsong Khapa is born, the founder of Gelugpa ("Yellow-hat") sect.


• The Ming Dynasty begins in China and evicts the Mongols in 1368.  Tibet regains full independence.


• In 1642 Gushri Khan defeats the armies of Tibet, rescues the Gelugpa Order from persecution and sets up the Fifth Dalai Lama in power.


• 1717: Dzungar Mongols invade Tibet and seize Lhasa.


• 1723: Chinese troops withdraw from Lhasa.


• 1728: Civil war in Tibet.  Emperor of China sends troop to restore peace, fearful of a further invasion by Dzungars.  Government reorganised and Imperial Ambans stationed in Lhasa with a Manchu garrison as escort.


• 1740: Sonam Topgye of Phola declared King of Tibet.  His death is followed by another Chinese expedition and Tibetan kingship ends.  Authority is restored to the 7th Dalai Lama.  Subsequently, in 1791, a Nepalese Gurkha invasion of Tibet is defeated by the Chinese army.


• 1855: War between Nepal and Tibet.  This time no aid is sent by China.


• 1890: The Anglo-Chinese Convention fixes the frontier of Sikkim and Tibet.  In 1893 the Tibetan Trade Regulations are agreed with China without any participation by Tibet.


• 1904: Colonel Younghusband's British military "expedition" arrives in Lhasa to check feared Russian involvement.  An Anglo-Tibetan Treaty is signed; the Chinese are not a party.  In 1906 an Anglo-Chinese Convention secures Chinese adherence to the Treaty which it modifies without consulting Tibet.


• 1905-1910: China invades and conquers the Kham Province of Tibet and sends an army to Lhasa to capture the 13th Dalai Lama who, in 1910, takes refuge in British India. The Dalai Lama declares Tibet's independence, meanwhile China proclaims the dethronement of the Dalai Lama.


• 1911: Fall of the Chinese Manchu dynasty; the Republic of China is founded.


• 1912-13: The remnants of the Manchu army are expelled from Tibet and the 13th Dalai Lama re-enters Lhasa in January 1913 and issues a proclamation of independence.


• 1914:  Tibet and Britain conclude the Simla Convention which China, also a party to the talks, refuses to ratify.


• 1921: Mission of Sir Charles Bell to Lhasa establishes a closer relationship between the British and Tibetan governments.


• 1933: Death of the 13th Dalai Lama.  In 1934 the Tibetan government allows a Chinese mission to visit Lhasa to offer condolences.  Tibet resists pressure to accept Chinese suzerainty.


• 1935: Birth of the 14th Dalai Lama


• 1940: Enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama.  Representatives from Bhutan, Britain, China, Mongolia, Nepal and Sikkim attend the ceremony in Lhasa.


• 1942: Nationalist China's Liaison Officer in Lhasa is ordered out of the country.


• 1943: Tibet maintains strict neutrality despite pressure from Britain and China to allow the passage of war supplies through the country.


• 1947: End of British rule in India.


• 1949: People's Republic of China founded.


• 1950: On October 7th the People's Liberation Army invades Kham and the Tibetan army retreats.  Tibet appeals to the United Nations for assistance and the Dalai Lama moves to the Sikkimese border.