The New East Asian Studies Podcasts in the Age of AI
In this episode, we explore the rise of Gönpo Namgyel, a minor Tibetan chieftain from Eastern Kham who challenged the power centers of Central Tibet and Qing China during the 19th century. Situated on the periphery, the Kham region was more than just a battleground between empires—it was a dynamic political landscape where local leaders actively shaped their own destinies.
Drawing from Tibetan and Chinese primary sources, we examine the governance of Kham, its cultural milieu, and the complex interactions between the Qing court, Lhasa, and regional chieftains. This story sheds light on the overlooked agency of borderland communities and challenges traditional historiographical narratives that portray peripheries as passive. Join us as we reframe Sino-Tibetan relations through a local lens, uncovering the rich history of this contested region.