Ying Wang

LungShar Incident of 1934—a Failed Attempt to Modernize Tibet

This study explores the involvement of elite women in the tragic attempt to establish a democratic government to modernize Tibet, led by LungShar in 1934. This research employs art and material culture as the primary data for analyzing social-political issues. It focuses on the power struggle among elite linked to notable individuals and discusses LungShar’s disregard for the solid political-monastic dual-system. The study treats architecture, costume, art, and material culture as crucial elements in researching the reasons behind this incident. It demonstrates that art can be an essential tool and methodology in investigating history, while women’s vital role is excavated.

Ying Wang‘s primary research field is Bronze Age China, while her current interest is Tibetan pilgrimage and culture. Her recent articles are “The Use of Dung in Northern Tibetan culture—from Grassland to Grassland”, and “The Ending of Guge Kingdom and The Jesuit”, in Asian Buddhist Art Anthology: East Asia, vol. 5. She is the author of a group of articles and two books, and was in the editorial team of The Great Treasures of Chinese Bronze Art (Wenwu Press).