Tibetan Empire

Tibetan Empire was an empire in Tibet and the west (East Asia) that lasted from 618 to 842 CE, about 224 years. Its people spoke Tibeto-Burman languages (Tibetan, Burmese, Newar, Pyu, Tangut).

Songtsen Gampo united the plateau, adopted a script from India and married Chinese and Nepali princesses. His heirs fought the Tang for the Tarim, briefly took Chang'an in 763 and broke apart after the murder of Langdarma in 842.

See Tibetan Empire on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

618 to 842 CE

Duration

224 years

Type

Empire

Region

Tibet and the west, East Asia

Language family

Tibeto-Burman

Capital

Lhasa

Came from

• Zhangzhung c. 500 BCE to 644 CE

Became

• Tibetan era of fragmentation 842 to 1264 CE

Events in East Asia during its time

• 645 Taika reforms
• 668 Silla unifies Korea
• 755 An Lushan rebellion

Neighbours in East Asia

• Tang dynasty 618 to 907 CE
• Silla 57 BCE to 668 CE
• Goguryeo 37 BCE to 668 CE
• Baekje 18 BCE to 660 CE
• Heian period 794 to 1185 CE
• Unified Silla 668 to 935 CE
• Balhae 698 to 926 CE
• Asuka period 538 to 710 CE
• Nanzhao 738 to 902 CE
• Nara period 710 to 794 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America

Questions