Abstract
AbstractHow did the Tibetans and the Chinese view the British invasion of Tibet in 1904, and why did the Chinese not summon more force to resist? Using Chinese and Tibetan documents from the period, the article analyses views and consequences of the British invasion and the result it had on Chinese attitudes towards Tibet. Looking at the documents, we can see the determination of the Tibetans to defend themselves and how there were different shifts and opinions within the Manchu government about how to deal with the British. They show the Tibetans communicated with the Chinese representative, the Amban, but did not regard his say as authoritative because it had become clear the Chinese could not provide any support. They also suggest that the Chinese non-involvement in Tibet was not just out of weakness but could have been as part of a policy of 'using barbarians to fight barbarians'.
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