Lungshar
lung shar
Dorji Tsegyal
rdo rje tshe rgyal
Lungshar Kusho
Born 1880 Served in Government 1901 Died 1938
Lungshar. Personal name Dorji Tsegyal. Born about 1880, the son of the late Major (Ru-pšn) in the Tibetan Army. Was an Accountant of the 6th rank in the Accountant-General's Office at Lhasa, when the late Dalai Lama selected him in November, 1912, to take the four Tibetan students to England in 1913. Was promoted to the 4th rank before leaving Tibet and arrived in England with the four boys on the 24th April, 1913. Was presented with the boys to Sir Henry McMahon at Delhi, to Sir Michael and lady O'Dywer, Mr. J. B. Wood, and others at Indore and to the Begum of Bhopal at Bhopal. He and the four boys were received in audience by Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary in June, 1913, when he presented letters and presents from the Dalai Lama to Their Majesties. He was also granted an audience by Lord Crewe and Sir Edward Grey to whom he submitted gifts from the Dalai Lama while in England. Married Tenzing Dolkar, daughter of the late Horkhang Dzasa. Spent some time in London and Aldershot and visited France, Germany, Holland and Belgium before leaving for Tibet on the 13th September, 1914. Afterwards appointed Tsi-pšn (Financial Secretary) and spent some months at Shigatse in 1919 adjusting financial arrangements between Lhasa and Tashi Lhunpo. In August, 1919, he visited Gyantse as Financial Secretary on the staff of the Kunsang-tse Shape. Speaks a little English but appeares to have forotten much of what he learned. Is intelligent but obstinate. Was said to be pro-Chinese but has lost the tendency since 1930 and became pro-British. Mr. Williamson, who met him on visiting Lhasa in 1933, did not find him anti-British neither, and it appeared that the policy he and his party were advocating the year before his downfall was close cooperation with His Majesty's Government and no more contact with China then necessary. Was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Tibetan army in 1925 in succession to Tsarong Shape and in addition to his own post of Tsi-pšn (Financial Secretary) but was deprived of the Commander-in-chief in 1931. He was popular with the Army, whose pay and rations he increased, and with the big monasteries, to whom he constantly gave gifts. But was extremly unpopular with lay officials and with the gentry whose estates he had confiscated right and left when in office. Was very influential with the late Dalai Lama and is very intelligent and well informed in all political matters but made many enemies. In 1934 shortly after the death of the Dalai Lama he was arrested on the charge (which appears to be well grounded) of conspiring to overturn the existing Government and to seize power for himself. He was blinded and imprisoned in the Potala where he still is [1938]. It is said that he may shortly be released but it is most unlikely that he will ever be able to take any part in public life. Many of his supporters were banished at the time of his imprisonment. Appointed Mi-pšn (City Magistrate in Lhasa) in 1948. See also under Lhalu Se.
Page references from Who's Who in Tibet
1920 (page 9) 1933 (page 17-18) 1938 (page 44)
This entry is from "Who Was Who in Tibet?" Copyright Frank Drauschke, Facts & Files, Berlin
