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Playing polo at Gyantse, from a fascinating album which reveals new details on a little-known campaign in which a British military force brushed aside Tibetan defences to capture Lhasa, in 1904
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Playing polo at Gyantse, from a fascinating album which reveals new details on a little-known campaign in which a British military force brushed aside Tibetan defences to capture Lhasa, in 1904
Playing polo at Gyantse, from a fascinating album which reveals new details on a little-known campaign in which a British military force brushed aside Tibetan defences to capture Lhasa, in 1904. The Tibet Expedition was launched from India and sanctioned by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, who was concerned over Russian influence and supposed advance toward the border. The expedition eventually gained a number of concessions from Tibet, nominally under Chinese control at the time, but whether the effort was worth the return is certainly up for debate. This album came by direct descent from the family of Captain William Charles Hayman, ADC to the expedition's leader, Colonel Francis Younghusband of the Indian Political Service (Younghusband was accompanied by a strong military escort commanded by Brigadier General James Macdonald). The photographs show various elements of the expedition: military, monasteries, scenery, towns and locals. Date: 1904
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Media ID 32265750
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Advance Campaign Capture Gyantse Hayman Horseback Journey Lhasa Polo Reportage Tibet Tibetan
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Playing Polo at Gyantse: A Glimpse into the Uncharted Terrain of the 1904 Tibet Expedition This photograph, titled 'Playing polo at Gyantse,' is a rare and intriguing window into the little-known 1904 Tibet Expedition. Launched from India under the auspices of Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, this military campaign was instigated due to growing concerns over Russian influence and perceived encroachment upon the border. Tibet, nominally under Chinese control at the time, became the focus of this ambitious endeavor. The album from which this photograph is taken, passed down through the family of Captain William Charles Hayman, offers a fascinating glimpse into the expedition. Hayman served as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the expedition's leader, Colonel Francis Younghusband, who was accompanied by a strong military escort commanded by Brigadier General James Macdonald. The images within this album reveal a diverse range of scenes, from military encampments and strategic locations, to monasteries, breathtaking scenery, and local populations. This photograph, in particular, showcases a moment of leisure amidst the campaign, with British soldiers engaging in the popular sport of polo at Gyantse. The success of the Tibet Expedition is a topic of ongoing debate. While the British forces did manage to secure several concessions from Tibet, the question of whether the effort was worth the return remains open to interpretation. Regardless, this photograph and the broader collection it is a part of, offer a unique and captivating glimpse into a pivotal moment in history, revealing the human side of a military campaign that continues to intrigue scholars and history enthusiasts alike.
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