Bells of Shangri-La: Scholars, Spies, Invaders in Tibet by Parimal Bhattacharya

Description

Bells of Shangri-La: Scholars, Spies, Invaders in Tibet is a 2023 book by Parimal Bhattacharya that tells the story of the explorers, scholars, and spies who ventured into Tibet in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The book is set against the backdrop of the Great Game, the rivalry between the British and Russian empires for control of Central Asia.

Bhattacharya tells the stories of a number of fascinating individuals, including:

• Kinthup, a tailor who disguised himself as a monk’s companion in order to explore Tibet and confirm that the Tsangpo River was the same as the Brahmaputra
• Sarat Chandra Das, a schoolmaster who disguised himself as a doctor in order to gain access to Tibetan libraries and collect ancient manuscripts
• Eric Bailey, a British officer who was part of the invasion of Tibet in 1903

Bhattacharya’s book is a well-written and informative account of a relatively unknown period in Tibetan history. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the Great Game, the history of Tibet, or the lives of the explorers who ventured into this forbidden land.