Tsona

In 1354, the Phagmodrupa dynasty established Tsona County (mtsho sna rdzong).

In the 17th century, sectarian rivalries developed between the Gelugpa sect that was in the ascendant in Central Tibet and the Drukpa sect that got consolidated in Bhutan. The Mera lama of the Merag-Sagteng region in present day Bhutan,[lower-alpha 2] belonging to the Gelugpa sect, was chased out of his native village by the Drukpa forces. He fled to the neighbouring Tawang region.[3][4] The people of Tawang were apparently indifferent to the sectarian divisions, and the Mera lama requested help from the governor of Tsona.[lower-alpha 3] However, the Tsona forces were unable to resolve the conflict between the sects. Eventually a direct appeal to the Fifth Dalai Lama was made asking him to "annex" Tawang. According to Tawang records, an edict to this effect was issued in 1680, establishing a new Gelugpa regime in Tawang. The Mera Lama was placed in a position of authority over the region and made responsible to Tsona.[5] Since the traditional route via Trashigang was now lost to Bhutan, a new route was developed via Dirang and the area under the Sela Pass (present day West Kameng) was brought under Tawang's control.[6]

The Fifth Dalai Lama died two years after these events, and his reincarnation was discovered to have been born in Tawang in 1683.[5] The family of the young boy, the next Dalai Lama, was secretly transported to Tsona, where he was raised under the watch of the Tsona dzongpöns.[7] The family was taken to Nakartsé in 1697, after which the Desi (Regent) revealed the news of the Fifth Dalai Lama's death and his reincarnation to be installed as the Sixth Dalai Lama.[8]

In 1912, the Tibetan government established Governorate of Lhoka (lho kha spyi khyab) in Tsedang, governing 13 Dzongs including Tsona; in 1952, it belonged to the Gyantse Sub-committee of the Chinese Communist Party; on August 29, 1956, It belongs to the Lhoka Governorate Office (山南基巧办事处); on May 5, 1959, Tsona County was established, and the county government was stationed in Tsona Town, and it belonged to the Shannan Commissioner's Office; on March 29, 1969, it belonged to the Shannan Regional Revolutionary Committee; in October 1978, it belonged to Shannan Regional Administrative Office; in February 2016, it belongs to prefecture-level Shannan City.[9] On April 3, 2023, the county was withdrawn and established as a city, and the city government was stationed in Mama Menba ethnic township.[10]

Two main south-flowing rivers Nyamjang Chu[11] and Tsona Chu[12] flow through the county and enter India's Tawang district, where they join the Tawang Chu river. Between Nyamjang Chu and Tsona Chu lies an undulating plateau, with streams flowing west to east, often after collecting into lakes. Napa Yutso and Nyapa Tso are two such large lakes.[13]

In addition, the Tsona County also contains the basins of the east-flowing rivers that form the Subansiri River. Loro Karpo Chu (the "white Loro river") in the north leads to the Jorra township. Loro Nakpo Chu (the "black Loro river") leads to the Khartak (or Kardag) township..[14]

Tsona Dzong, the main town and the headquarters of the Tsona County, is in the plateau between Nyamjang Chu and Tsona Chu. It is 34 km north of Bum La Pass, which marks the border with the Tawang district.[15] Immediately to the north of Bum La is the village of Shao (Tibetan: ཤ་འུག, Wylie: sha 'ug), whose full name Shauk Tago has been associated with Guru Padmasambhava and other Buddhist preachers over centuries.[13] The location is mentioned in these texts as being part of "Monyul" i.e., Tawang area.[16]

The total land area of Tsona is 35191.23 square kilometers,[17] and the actual jurisdiction area is 6703.62 square kilometers.[18] The highest peak, Kanggeduo Mountain, is 7,060 meters above sea level. Rivers include Donggaxiong, Cuona, Luodu, Luo, Yu, etc. Lakes include Nariyong, Yang, Danba, Bila, Guwu, Gejin, Jimu, etc.[19] the largest Nariyong covers an area of 58.33 square kilometers. The annual sunshine hours are 2589 hours, the annual frost-free period is 42 days, and the annual precipitation is 384.3 mm. The annual average temperature is -0.6°C, the average temperature in July is 7.8°C, and the average temperature in January is -10°C. Tsona is rich in forest resources, and there are a large number of bamboo forests composed of Tsona arrow bamboo. The national first-class protected animals include Bengal tigers, leopards, snow leopards, red pandas, Tibetan wild donkeys and bisons.[20]

Tsona comprises 1 town, 5 townships and 4 ethnic townships:[23][24]

According to the seventh national census, the population is 13,932, including 12,404 Tibetans, 946 Hans, and 582 other nationalities. The urban population accounts for 20.61%, and the rural population accounts for 79.39%.[25] Agriculture mainly produces highland barley, wheat, peas, potatoes, rapeseed, etc., with a pasture area of more than 353,000 hectares, and the main livestock are yaks, cattle, sheep and goats.[19] In 2020, the regional GDP is 813.954 million yuan, of which the primary industry is 29.001 million yuan, the secondary industry is 429.675 million yuan, and the tertiary industry is 355.279 million yuan; fixed asset investment is 679.51 million yuan, and the total retail sales of social consumer goods is 206.501 million yuan, the per capita disposable income of rural residents is 14,007 yuan, the tax revenue is 43.9986 million yuan, and the tourism income is 37.061 million yuan.[26]

• Aris, Michael (2012). Hidden Treasures & Secret Lives. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-14914-6.
• Dorje, Gyurme (2004), Footprint Tibet Handbook with Bhutan (3rd ed.), Bath: Footprint Handbooks, ISBN 1-903471-30-3 – via archive.org
• Tenpa, Lobsang (2018), An Early History of the Mon Region (India) and its Relationship with Tibet and Bhutan, South & Inner Asian Studies/ Tibetan & Himalayan Studies, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, ISBN 9789387023345
• Nanda, Neeru (2020), "Tawang and the Mon in their Borderlands: A Historical Overview", in M. Mayilvaganan; Nasima Khatoon; Sourina Bej (eds.), Tawang, Monpas and Tibetan Buddhism in Transition: Life and Society along the India-China Borderland, Springer Singapore, pp. 29–44, ISBN 9789811543463
• Shakabpa, Tsepon Wangchuk Deden (2009), One Hundred Thousand Moons: An Advanced Political History of Tibet, BRILL, ISBN 978-90-04-17732-1

• Tsona County marked on OpenStreetMap
• Cona County Annals