Güshi Khan

Timeline

1. 1582–1636Khoshut pastures in Dzungaria · DzungariaGrew up amid Oirat politics between Dzungaria and Qinghai, renowned for his bravery. In the 1620s the Khoshut were still dominated by his brother Baibagas and others; by the 1630s he had become a military leader capable of mobilizing an eastward migration, and established patron-priest ties with the Gelug school.
2. 1636–1638Qinghai Lake · QinghaiAnswering invitations from the Gelug school's Desi and others, he led his tribe eastward from Dzungaria. In 1637 near Qinghai Lake he routed Choghtu Khan, who supported the Kagyü and opposed the Gelug, taking control of the Amdo and Qinghai pastures and opening the route into Ü-Tsang.
3. 1639–1642Samdrubtsé, Shigatse · ShigatseIn 1639–1641 he attacked and destroyed Béri Tusi Donyö Dorje of Kham; in 1642 he captured Shigatse and took prisoner Karma Tenkyong Wangpo, the Tsangpa Khan. He immediately granted Tibet's political and religious authority to the Fifth Dalai Lama at Tashilhunpo, retaining for himself the titles of military protector and Dharma King.
4. 1642–1655Lhasa · LhasaHolding military power over Qing-Tibet under the Ganden Phodrang system, without directly interfering in daily civil administration. In the mid-to-late 1640s he sent envoys to the Qing dynasty, and in 1653 received investiture from the Shunzhi Emperor. He died of illness in Ü-Tsang in 1655, and the Khoshut protectorate over Tibet was continued by his sons.