1. Songtsen Gampo (c. 605–649/650 CE)
Songtsen Gampo is considered the first and one of the most important rulers of the Tibetan Empire. He is credited with uniting various tribes and laying the foundations of the Tibetan state. Songtsen Gampo is remembered for his military conquests and diplomatic marriages, especially to Princess Bhrikuti Devi of Nepal and Princess Wencheng of the Chinese Tang dynasty, which strengthened Tibet’s relationships with Nepal and China.
His reign marked the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet, as both his queens were devout Buddhists. Songtsen Gampo built important Buddhist structures, including the Jokhang and Ramoche temples in Lhasa. He also initiated the creation of a Tibetan script, based on an Indian script, to translate Buddhist scriptures. Songtsen Gampo’s consolidation of power, cultural advancements, and introduction of Buddhism had a lasting impact on Tibetan civilization.
2. Mangsong Mangtsen (650–676 CE)
Mangsong Mangtsen, also known as Mangson Mangpoje, succeeded his father Songtsen Gampo as the ruler of Tibet. His reign is less well documented, but it is known that he had to deal with internal instability and external threats, particularly from the Tang dynasty. He continued to expand the Tibetan Empire’s territories through military campaigns, including conflicts with China and other neighboring states.
Mangsong Mangtsen’s reign saw Tibet maintain its strong military presence, and although the expansion of the empire slowed compared to his father’s time, the empire remained influential in Central Asia.
3. Tridu Songtsen (676–704 CE)
Tridu Songtsen, often referred to as Tridu Tsugtsen or Mes Agtsom, was the son of Mangsong Mangtsen and became king at a young age. His reign is notable for its military conflicts with the Tang dynasty. Although Tibet had several victories over the Tang armies, Tridu Songtsen’s reign saw periods of war and peace between Tibet and China. His rule was marked by an active interest in maintaining Tibetan control over Silk Road trade routes.
During his reign, Princess Jincheng of the Tang dynasty was sent to Tibet as part of a peace agreement, further solidifying ties between the two powers. Tibet continued to expand under Tridu Songtsen’s rule, particularly towards the west and north.
4. Tride Tsuktsen (704–755 CE)
Tride Tsuktsen, also known as Me Agtsom, was the son of Tridu Songtsen and ruled during a period of relative peace. His reign is noted for cultural and diplomatic exchanges with neighboring regions, especially with the Tang dynasty. Under his rule, Buddhism gained more prominence in Tibet. However, internal strife and noble factions began to emerge during his reign, signaling future instability.
Tride Tsuktsen was assassinated by members of the Tibetan nobility, an event that led to a period of political instability and regency as his son was still very young.
5. Trisong Detsen (755–797/804 CE)
Trisong Detsen is one of Tibet’s most famous rulers, known for promoting Buddhism and inviting renowned Indian masters such as Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita to Tibet. He is credited with founding the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery, Samye, in the 8th century, marking the formal establishment of Buddhism as the state religion of Tibet.
His reign was also marked by significant military campaigns, particularly against the Chinese Tang dynasty. The Tibetan Empire reached its peak under Trisong Detsen, capturing Chang’an (modern Xi’an), the capital of the Tang dynasty, for a brief period in 763 CE. His support of Buddhism shaped the religious future of Tibet, with Buddhism becoming deeply integrated into Tibetan culture and governance.
6. Muné Tsenpo (797/804–798/815 CE)
Muné Tsenpo, the son of Trisong Detsen, had a brief and turbulent reign. He is remembered more for his moral and ethical reforms rather than military conquests. Muné Tsenpo attempted to introduce new policies to alleviate the suffering of the Tibetan people, particularly regarding land ownership and taxation. However, his reforms met resistance from the nobility.
Muné Tsenpo’s reign was cut short, and there are differing accounts of his death, with some suggesting he was assassinated. His early death brought an end to his reformist policies, and his younger brothers assumed the throne afterward.
7. Sadnalegs (798/815–815/838 CE)
Sadnalegs (also known as Tridé Songtsen or Tri Desongtsen) was another son of Trisong Detsen. His reign continued Tibet’s support of Buddhism, and he was responsible for consolidating the Buddhist institutions established by his father. Sadnalegs maintained Tibet’s military might, with continued conflicts on the northern and western borders, but his reign was more focused on internal stability and religious patronage.
During his reign, he continued the construction of temples and supported the translation of Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan, further establishing Buddhism as a central part of Tibetan culture.
8. Ralpachen (815–838 CE)
Ralpachen, the son of Sadnalegs, is remembered as one of the most fervent supporters of Buddhism among the Tibetan kings. Under his reign, Buddhist scholarship and translation efforts flourished. Ralpachen is credited with organizing a system of translating Buddhist texts from Sanskrit into Tibetan and sponsoring the building of numerous monasteries and temples.
His reign saw the Tibetan Empire maintain its territorial control, but internal tensions grew as the Tibetan nobility, opposed to the heavy financial and administrative support given to Buddhism, began to resent his policies. Ralpachen’s reign ended in his assassination, likely due to these internal conflicts, marking the beginning of a decline in the centralized Tibetan Empire.
9. Langdarma (838–842 CE)
Langdarma, the brother of Ralpachen, is infamous for his opposition to Buddhism. His reign is often seen as a reaction to the heavy promotion of Buddhism by his predecessors. Langdarma reportedly tried to suppress Buddhism and restore Tibet’s traditional Bon religion. He is said to have closed monasteries and halted the translation of Buddhist texts.
His reign was short-lived, as he was assassinated by a Buddhist monk named Lhalung Pelgyi Dorje. Langdarma’s death led to a period of civil war and the fragmentation of the Tibetan Empire, marking the end of the unified Tibetan Empire as it had existed since Songtsen Gampo’s reign.
After Langdarma: Fragmentation of the Tibetan Empire
Following Langdarma’s assassination, the Tibetan Empire entered a period of disintegration. Langdarma’s two sons, Yumtän and Ösung, fought over control of the empire, leading to its fragmentation into smaller kingdoms and political entities. Central authority weakened, and the once-great Tibetan Empire dissolved into regional powers, with Buddhism retreating into localized centers of influence. It would take centuries for Tibet to regain a sense of unity under later figures, such as the Dalai Lamas.
