Tibetans III

1578-1650 CE

From 1578 to 1650 CE, the Tibetans embraced the Yellow Hats and found themselves embraced by empires — Altan Khan's conversion bringing Mongol sword-arms to Gelug Buddhism, the Dalai Lama emerging as both spiritual master and political prize. When civil war between sects invited Mongol intervention, the Fifth Dalai Lama rose to unite Tibet under religious rule, building the Potala Palace as throne and monastery combined.