佚名 · Public domain
17th century · 1617–1682
The Fifth Dalai Lama
阿旺罗桑嘉措 · China
The first Dalai Lama to hold both religious and political power in Tibet
Revered as 'the Great Fifth'. With military support from Güshi Khan, he unified Tibet under the Ganden Phodrang government. In 1645 he began building today's Potala Palace and moved into the White Palace in 1649. He also wrote 24 volumes on a wide range of subjects.
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History · Potala Palace
Two builders: Songtsen Gampo and the Fifth Dalai Lama
In the 7th century Songtsen Gampo unified the Tibetan Plateau and moved his capital to Lhasa, and the first palace is said to have been built on Marpo Ri (Red Hill). A thousand years later, in 1645, the 5th Dalai Lama — revered as 'the Great Fifth' — on his advisers' recommendation chose Red Hill, between Drepung and Sera monasteries, as the centre of religious and political power and began building today's Potala Palace, moving into the White Palace in 1649. From then until 1959 it was the winter palace of successive Dalai Lamas.
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