About the book
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Lhasa, leaving the People’s Republic of China with a crisis on its Tibetan frontier. Sulmaan Wasif Khan tells the story of the PRC’s response to that crisis and, in doing so, brings to life an extraordinary cast of characters: Chinese diplomats appalled by sky burials, Guomindang spies working with Tibetans in Nepal, traders carrying salt across the Himalayas, and Tibetan Muslims rioting in Lhasa.
What Chinese policymakers confronted in Tibet, Khan argues, was not a “third world” but a “fourth world” problem: Beijing was dealing with peoples whose ways were defined by statelessness. As it sought to tighten control over the restive borderlands, Mao’s China moved from a lighter hand to a harder, heavier imperial structure. That change triggered long-lasting shifts in Chinese foreign policy. Moving from capital cities to far-flung mountain villages, from top diplomats to nomads crossing disputed boundaries in search of pasture, this book shows Cold War China as it has never been seen before and reveals the deep influence of the Tibetan crisis on the political fabric of present-day China.
Editions of Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469621104
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469630755
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469621111
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469623252
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890847089
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890847072
Read an Excerpt
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Lhasa, leaving the People’s Republic of China with a crisis on its Tibetan frontier. Sulmaan Wasif Khan tells the story of the PRC’s response to that crisis and, in doing so, brings to life an extraordinary cast of characters: Chinese diplomats appalled by sky burials, Guomindang spies working with Tibetans in Nepal, traders carrying salt across the Himalayas, and Tibetan Muslims rioting in Lhasa.
What Chinese policymakers confronted in Tibet, Khan argues, was not a “third world” but a “fourth world” problem: Beijing was dealing with peoples whose ways were defined by statelessness. As it sought to tighten control over the restive borderlands, Mao’s China moved from a lighter hand to a harder, heavier imperial structure. That change triggered long-lasting shifts in Chinese foreign policy. Moving from capital cities to far-flung mountain villages, from top diplomats to nomads crossing disputed boundaries in search of pasture, this book shows Cold War China as it has never been seen before and reveals the deep influence of the Tibetan crisis on the political fabric of present-day China.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy about?
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Lhasa, leaving the People’s Republic of China with a crisis on its Tibetan frontier. Sulmaan Wasif Khan tells the story of the PRC’s response to that crisis and, in doing so, brings to life an extraordinary cast of characters: Chinese diplomats appalled by sky burials, Guomindang spies working with Tibetans in Nepal, traders carrying salt across the Himalayas, and Tibetan Muslims rioting in Lhasa.
What Chinese policymakers confronted in Tibet, Khan argues, was not a “third world” but a “fourth world” problem: Beijing was dealing with peoples whose ways were defined by statelessness. As it sought to tighten control over the restive borderlands, Mao’s China moved from a lighter hand to a harder, heavier imperial structure. That change triggered long-lasting shifts in Chinese foreign policy. Moving from capital cities to far-flung mountain villages, from top diplomats to nomads crossing disputed boundaries in search of pasture, this book shows Cold War China as it has never been seen before and reveals the deep influence of the Tibetan crisis on the political fabric of present-day China.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy?
History and Archaeology > History > Asian history
Where can I read a sample of Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469621104
How long is Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy and how many pages does it have?
Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy has 216 page(s)
Is Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series New Cold War History
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy?
Sulmaan Wasif Khan
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469621104) and paperback(ISBN 9781469630755) and ebook(ISBN 9781469621111) and ebook(ISBN 9781469623252) and ebook(ISBN 9798890847089) and pdf(ISBN 9798890847072)
Where can I buy Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy from below
Where can I buy Muslim, Trader, Nomad, Spy?