[Rarebooks] Offering: The Original Field Maps from the Younghusband Expedition into Tibet, 1904.

[Michael John Thompson]

Perhaps of interest:

(TIBET) THE YOUNGHUSBAND EXPEDITION (THE TIBETAN FRONTIER 
COMMISSION): Eight Original field blueprint maps of the route from 
Tuna to Gyantse. A collection of 8 blueprint maps, painted in 
watercolour by S.S. Hazrat Ali, Survey of India, 1904. Each map 
measures approx 8 x 14 inches, some have handwriting in ink in 
Chinese characters. Scale 1 inch = 1 mile. Enclosed in a brown 
envelope addressed to Sir Albert Hart, Bart, G.C.M.G., Inspector 
General of Customs, etc, etc., etc., etc., Peking, China, return 
address "Tibet Frontier Commission, Gyantse, 15/04" (i.e., April 15th, 1904).

The maps:
1) Road Traverse, untitled, "From Phari" at bottom, shows Tuna, low 
gravelly ridge, gravelly plain, to Hram Tso. April, 1904
2) Road Traveres, untitled, from Hram Tso to Kala Plain. April, 1904.
3) Road Traverse, Kala to Samuda, Mang-tsu near top of map. April, 1904.
4) Road Traverse, Mag-tsa to Bayul, April, 1904.
5) Road Traverse, Bayul to Lam-da, April 1904
6) Road Traverse Lam-da to Sa-pu, April, 1904
7) Road Traverse Sa-Pu to Gyang-tse, April, 1904
8) Road Traverse Sa-Pu to Gyang-tse, April, 1904 (different from above)


These are the original field maps done during the Tibetan Frontier 
Commission expedition into Tibet, Spring, 1904. This series of maps 
surveys the route from Phari to Gyang-tse in intricate detail, 
showing topography, rivers, towns, monasteries, springs, camps and battles.

The Tibetan Frontier Comission, under the leadership of Colonel 
Francis Younghusband, quickly became known as "The Younghusband 
Expedition". Sanctioned by the British Government (who at this point 
held India and modern-day Nepal) because of
fears of Russian advances into Tibet and provoked by a small border 
incident in October, 1903, Younghusband set out with a small escort 
and established himself in the remote settlement of Tuna.. Supplies 
were brought in slowly, and on March 30 1904, British Brigadier 
General Macdonald brought the main bulk of the British forces up to 
Tuna. A battle with the Tibetan forces ensued the next day at the 
springs of Chumik Shenko, across the plain from Tuna (the battle of 
Guru). More than 500 Tibetans were killed. This battle is marked on 
the first map.

The camps marked on these maps are dated (sequentially)

Camp 1) 5.4. 04 (April 5th, 1904) Between Hram Tsu and Kala Plain
Camp 2) 6.4.04 (April 6th, 1904) Kala Plain.
Camp 3) 7.4.04 (April 7th, 1904) Near Mang-tsa
Camp 4) 8.4.04 (April 8th, 1904) Near Bayul
Camp 5) 9.4.04 (April 9th, 1904) Near Lamda
Camp 6) 10.4.04 (April 10th, 1904) Near Sa-Pu
Camp 7) 11.4.04 (April 11th, 1904). Gyang-tse Plain
Camp 8) 13.4.04 (April 13th 1904) Gyang-tse plain, near the Fortress 
of Gyang-tse.

Younghusband, Brigadier General MacDonald and circa 3000 British 
troops headed North towards the great fortress of Gyang-tse Jong. A 
battle was fought at Red Idol Gorge on April 9th, with over 200 
Tibetan casualties. The expedition reached the Gyansg-tse plains on 
April 11th, and could advance no further due to the massive fortress 
of Gyang-tse Jong. Macdonald withdrew, to Chumbi to muster 
reinforcements. Younghusband's group remained, and were attacked on 
the night of May 5th. A Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers was 
stationed at Darjeeling and were sent up together with Indian army 
units, arriving at Gyantse on June 28th. a week later, the fortress 
was successfully stomed in a barrage of artillery and Maxim Gun fire. 
With the road to Lhasa cleared of opposition, Younghusband resumed 
command of the expedition and moved towards Lhassa with 2,000 troops, 
arriving on August 5th. Treaties were signed - one of which left 
Tibet "autonomous forever". Despite the expedition being a violent 
military invasion, the final effects were considered positive, and 
one of the effects was that China was humbled in not being able to 
defend it's client state from foreign incursion.

The Younghusband expedition was, simply put - incredible. They took 
an army across the rooftop of the world, driving through courageous 
defenders through freezing weather in impassable positions and 
achieving all their objectives in just six months, losing just 202 
men to enemy action and 411 to other causes. Tibetan casualties have 
never been calculated, but must have reached the several thousands 
over the course of all the major and minor actions, including two battles.

We offer here the original survey maps done on the expedition to 
Gyang-tse, postmarked from Gyantse to Peking 4 days after the arrival 
of the Expedition. These maps are original and most likely unique 
survivors. Provenance: The estate of McDonnell Parr, British 
Commisioner, Kowloon, 1904.

Scans are here:

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap01.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap02.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap03.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap04.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap05.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap06.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap07.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap08.jpg

http://www.mjtbooks.com/tibet/tibetmap00.jpg


Price: $ 3,750.00 US.

Terms: As Usual.



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Michael John Thompson
Member, Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada
5275 Jerow Road
Hornby Island, BC
Canada V0R 1Z0
250-335-1182

http://www.ThompsonRareBooks.com
http://www.mjtbooks.com