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The serfdom in Tibet controversy is a prolonged public disagreement over the extent and nature of serfdom in Tibet prior to the annexation of Tibet into the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1951. The debate is political in nature, with some arguing that the ultimate goal on the Chinese side is to legitimize Chinese control of the territory now known as the Tibet Autonomous Region or Xizang Autonomous Region, and others arguing that the ultimate goal on the Western side is to weaken or undermine the Chinese state. The argument is that Tibetan culture, government, and society were feudal in nature prior to the PRC takeover of Tibet and that this only changed due to PRC policy in the region. The pro-Tibetan independence movement argument is that this is a misrepresentation of history created as a political tool in order to justify the Sinicization of Tibet.[1]
Despite such debate about the intention of Chinese descriptions of pre-Communist Tibet, it is known that the Tibetan class system divided the population hierarchically into laity (mi ser), noble laity (sger pa), and monks, with further subdivisions within the laity.[2][3] There was also a caste of untouchables known as ragyabpa, who performed work that was considered unclean, including fishing, metalworking, and prostitution,[4] much as with the Indian groups identified as dalit in the present day.
Chinese government claims commonly portray Tibet from 1912 to 1951 as a feudal society and both the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas as slave owners. These claims further highlight statements by the PRC that, prior to 1959, 95% of Tibetans lived in feudal serfdom, and cite cases of abuse and cruelty which are allegedly inherent to the traditional Tibetan system.[5]
^Powers 2004, pg. 7
^Snellgrove, David; Hugh Richardson (1968). A Cultural History of Tibet. London: George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd. ISBN 0-297-76317-2.
^Zrenner, Michael. "The Mi-ser in Tibetan Society: why is it problematic to refer to the peasantry of pre-1959 Tibet as "serfs"?". The Tibet Journal. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
^French, Rebecca (2002) The Golden Yoke, ISBN 1-55939-171-5
^Goldstein 1997, p.56
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led by Túpac Amaru II in Peru. 1781: The city of Los Angeles is founded by Spanish settlers. 1781–1785: Serfdom is abolished in the Austrian monarchy...
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of old mosques and preventing new ones from being constructed, banning serfdom of Christians under Muslims, banning marriage of Christian females to Muslims...
like to ride storms, kill sharks in the open sea, drive out the aggressors, reconquer the country, undo the ties of serfdom, and never bend my back to be...
claimed that he wanted Tibet to become his "property" and Tibetans his "slaves", by dividing China and "restoring Tibetan serfdom." The report was subsequently...
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emancipates its peasants from serfdom. June 16 – The Society for the Promotion of Permanent and Universal Peace is founded in London. June 19 – Battle of...
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