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An Amban was the highest imperial official representing the Chinese central government in Tibetand certain other excentric, ethnically non-Chinese territories which aknowledged the imperial sovereignty, but where not governed as regular provinces as they retained some own traditional institutions as a form of indirect rule. An amban can thus to a point be compared to a European resident in a protectorate (e.g. a British Indian princely state), the real rapport depending on historical circumstances rather then a general job description for every amban (as existed for the various types of governors in China proper), while his authority often was very extensive, rather like a provincial governor.

Tibet

The ambans of Qing China in Tibet took orders from the emperor and represented his sovereignty over Tibet.

The Chinese administration of Tibet in the early 20th century included an imperial resident or governor (Chinese: Zhù-Zàng Dàchén) or amban (Tibetan: ngang pai) with an assistant (Bāngbàn Dàchén); among their duties, they act as intermediary between China and the Hindu kingdom of Nepal (Ghorkhas Country); a secretary (yi ts'ing chang-king) dealt with native affairs. Three Chinese commissioners (liang t'ai), of the class of sub-prefect, were stationed at Lhasa, Tashilumbo and Ngari. This post was regularly held by one or two Han Chinese, Mongol, or Manchu officers. This post existed from 1727, but under different titles. The Emperors used Ambans to influence Tibetan politics, and the Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang emperors each decreed that the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama were bound to follow the leadership or guidance of the ambans in carrying out the administration of Tibet.

Of the 79 Ambans, most were Manchu. There were two that were Han Chinese: Tjing Wen between 1861 and 1869 and Ching Shan in 1900. At least fifteen Mongols were known to have served as Ambans, perhaps more. The nationalities of several of the Ambans is unknown. These are Cou-jing between 1727 and 1729, Pao-tjin-chung from 1729 to 1732, Cching-pao between 1731 and 1734, Li-cu from 1732 to 1733, and Tuo-er-tji from 1752 until 1754.

List of imperial ambans in Tibet

(H=Han Chinese,M=Mongol,?=unknown,unmarked=Manchu)

Minor amban posts

Kashgar

Under imperial Chinese rule before Yakub Begs sway, Yangi Shahr held a garrison of six thousand men, and was the residence of the amban or governor. Yakub erected his orda or palace on the site of the ambans residence, and two hundred ladies of his harem occupied a commodious enclosure hard by.

Urga

In Urga, the Buddhist holy city of the Mongols and the residence of the "resplendently divine lama", their "Living Buddha," spiritual head of the (northern and eastern) Kalka tribes of the Mongol people, ranking third in degree of veneration among the dignitaries of the Lamaist Church (after Tibet's Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama), resided in a sacred quarter on the western side of the town, and acted as the spiritual colleague of the Chinese amban, who controlled all temporal matters, and was specially charged with the control of Jhe frontier town of Kiakhta and the trade conducted there with the Russians.

Sources and references

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Diplomacy | Gubernatorial titles | Tibet

Amban

 

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