Controlled Disarray: The Social Life of the Doring Noble Family in 18 th century Tibet

Franz Xaver Erhard

Abstract

The 18 th century witnessed the transition from Mongol to Manchu influence in Tibet. In the course of this gradual yet sometimes violent process, many of the institutions of the dGa’ ldan pho brang government took shape. Moreover, “the topmost layer of Tibetan aristocracy, as it existed in the time of the 13 th Dalai Lama, came into being in the first half of the 18 th century” (Petech 1973: 15).

While the political history of the period is well studied, we know only little about the daily activities and social life in 18 th century Tibet. Among the few contemporary sources, the so-called Biography of Doring Paṇḍita (ca. 1806) gives a vivid account of the aristocratic life of the period. As such, it offers a
rare window into the social life of Tibetan aristocrats. In my lecture, I will present the Doring family as an example to illustrate the various social strategies employed by a noble family in order to build, uphold and enhance its wealth, influence and status.

Franz Xaver Erhard, Leipzig University

Franz Xaver Erhard is a research fellow at Leipzig University. He holds a doctorate in Tibetan Studies with a dissertation on modern Tibetan literature. His current research project “Secular Life Writing in Early Modern Tibet. A Study of Kalon Tenzin Paljor’s Autobiography Music of Candid Speech” is funded by the DFG.

Organiser: Christian Faggionato

Contact email: cf36@soas.ac.uk