Tibet, a historical region in Central Asia, has a complex and often contentious History that stretches back thousands of years. The region is mainly situated on the Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest plateau, and is home to one of the oldest Buddhist traditions in the world. Tibetan civilization dates back to as early as the 7th century when the Tibetan Empire was founded by Songtsen Gampo. During this period, Tibet was a regional power, engaging in military expeditions and establishing relations with China and Nepal. Songtsen Gampo is credited with introducing Buddhism to Tibet, a religion that would later become deeply woven into the fabric of Tibetan society.

Over the centuries, Tibet oscillated between periods of independence and foreign rule. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), it became a part of the Mongol Empire, albeit maintaining a degree of autonomy. Subsequent centuries saw the influence of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, though Tibet often exercised a significant degree of self-governance, especially during the time of the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. It was around this period that the institution of the Dalai Lama, a spiritual and political leader, gained prominence.

In the early 20th century, Tibet declared independence following the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, though its independent status was not widely recognized. Tensions escalated in the mid-20th century when the People’s Republic of China, founded in 1949, asserted its claim over Tibet and invaded the region in 1950. After a failed uprising in 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India, where he established a government-in-exile. The Chinese government initiated a series of political and cultural reforms, including the controversial Cultural Revolution, which many argue have led to the erosion of Tibetan culture and religion.