A Consideration of the mda' dpon: A Military Post in the Government of the Dalai Lama

It is well known that the Tibetan aristocracy operated the government of the Dalai Lama, which lasted from the 17th century to the first half of the 20th century. However, the Tibetan administration, including the post of mda' dpon, which is addressed in this study, has been dealt with in general studies of the Tibetan history, but there has been next to no basic research devoted solely to this office. The goal of this study is to make up for deficiencies in the study of the bureaucracy of the government of the Dalai Lama. As a result of the fact that I decided to limit my focus to the post of military commander known as mda' dpon, I have been able to clarify the following points. The first fact, which had not been elucidated in previous studies, is that the mda' dpon had been established shortly after the launch of the government of the Dalai Lama. At the initial stage of the mda' dpon, the existence of only one 'or pa can be confirmed, but with the sDe-pa Nor-bu incident, which Fifth Delai Lame take the reius of government, was a turning point after which the framework of the system was established. The mda' dpon shifted to a three or four man office and thereafter that change in number continued. The number, the locations of their postings of their responsibilities, and the duties of the office were set at least by the period of Sangs-rgyas rgya-mysho. These were continued on through later generations, although there were minor changes in the institution. The mda' dpon became systemized as a hereditary position by the time of Pho lha nas. This was moreover a result of the elevation of the status of Pho lha nas. In addition both sides strengthened their personal relationship as Pho lha nas gained power in the process of waging a civil war. As for this sort of relationship between the political figures and the mda' dpon, it can already be seen in the earliest period. In other words, the elevation of the status of the mda' dpon as seen in its becoming a hereditary post was it had been build up from the earliest stage to each succeeding piriod. For the reasons stated above, the broad framework of the Tibetan political system that existed from the initial stage of the government formed the foundation that determined the system in later ages