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Tibetan Uprising Day on March 10 marks the 1959 Lhasa uprising against Chinese rule, leading to violent conflict and the Dalai Lama’s exile.
Tibetan Uprising Day honours this pivotal moment and those who sacrificed their lives in the fight against Chinese oppression. (Image: Shutterstock)
Tibetan Uprising Day 2025: Tibetan Uprising Day is observed on March 10 as a tribute to those who stood against Communist China’s repression in Lhasa in 1959. In 1950, China annexed Tibet, now known as the Tibet Autonomous Region. By 1951, Chinese rule was firmly established, but years of resentment culminated in a major uprising in 1959.
The conflict turned violent, resulting in significant loss of life. Tibetan Uprising Day honours this pivotal moment and those who sacrificed their lives in the fight against Chinese oppression.
What Happened During The 1959 Uprising?
On March 10, 1959, thousands of Tibetans gathered near Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama’s summer palace, determined to resist China’s growing control. The Chinese invasion had begun a decade earlier, but tensions had been building for years.
Two Chinese army officers arrived at the temple where the Dalai Lama was preparing for his final Master of Metaphysics exam. They invited him to a theatrical performance and tea at the Chinese headquarters in Lhasa. He passed his exam and officially earned the title of Geshe, but concerns over the invitation loomed.
A Chinese military leader contacted the Chief Official Abbot to confirm the date, March 10, but with one chilling condition: the Dalai Lama was to attend alone, without his usual security detail.
The news spread rapidly, sparking fear among the people. Determined to prevent a possible abduction, nearly 30,000 Tibetans surrounded Norbulingka, forming a human shield.
Days later, on March 23, the inevitable happened. The Chinese government seized control of Lhasa. By then, however, the Dalai Lama had escaped in secrecy, vanishing beyond China’s reach and leaving behind a homeland forever changed. His departure marked a turning point in Tibet’s history.
Though the uprising was crushed, the Tibetan people’s spirit remained unbroken.
Tibetan Uprising Day: History And Significance
What began as a peaceful uprising escalated into a violent crackdown on Tibet’s struggle for independence. The consequences were severe. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was forced into exile and Tibet’s dream of autonomy was shattered. Despite this, the spirit of resistance never truly faded.
Today, Tibetan Uprising Day is a rallying point for those who continue to support Tibetan independence.
Students, activists and advocacy groups mark the occasion with protests, campaigns and demonstrations to remind the world of Tibet’s unresolved struggle. In 2008, tensions flared again when monks participating in peaceful demonstrations were arrested.
The unrest quickly spread, triggering riots in Lhasa and nationwide protests. According to the Central Tibetan Administration, 336 protests took place during that time.
