Claude Arpi | China playing new border games close to Mt Kailash

Western Tibet has a rich historical background, particularly in proximity to Mount Kailash, near the trijunction between India, Nepal and Tibet. It is the case of Purang/Taklakot and a place called Toyo, located a few kilometres away, which have gone down in history for the epic battle between the Dogras of Gen. Zorawar Singh and the Tibetans troops. In December 1841, the Dogra troops, who had just conquered Western Tibet (known as Ngari), were defeated by the Tibetans — and also by the winter. The great Tibetan historian, Tsepon Shakabpa, thus described the battle of Taklakot/Toyo: "The Tibetan government quickly…