IMAGE HISTORY OF THE UPRISING

ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT OF LHASA AND THE SUBSEQUENT FIGHTING

The violence of the Uprising was unleashed with a massive Chinese artillery bombardment of the Norbulingka Palace at 2 a.m on 20th March. The Potala Palace, the Shol hamlet and the Chakpori medical center were also subjected to intense artillery bombardment. Tibetan military units also fired back on the Chinese with small mounted guns and mortars. Tibetan soldiers supported by civilian volunteers defended the Norbulingka palace, the Potala Palace, the Shol hamlet, the Jokhang Temple, The Ramoche Temple, and the Chakpori Medical center. The Tibetan defence was coordinated by the old commander-in-chief, Tsarong Dasang Dadul, who was chosen by the Great Conference of People’s Representatives.