Key Information

Photographer

Hugh E. Richardson

Collection

Hugh Richardson

Date of Photo

1949

Region

Phenpo Valley Region > Gyal

Accession number

2001.59.2.39.1

Image Dimensions

55 X 57 mm

The temple of Gyal (rgyal) can be seen in the far distance at the base of the mountain on the left in the valley of Phenpo (phan po). There was an inscribed pillar in front of the temple. There are two saddled horses and a dog in the foreground and cattle grazing in the middleground.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Negative film nitrate

Date Acquired

Donated August 2001

Donated by

The executors of the estate of Hugh E. Richardson

Expedition

Hugh E. Richardson

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Notes on front of negative album in Richardson's hand in white: '2' 'Ramagang, 'Ushang, Tshurphu rgyal, Misc pillars'. On the reverse of negative album written in blue ink on white labels in Richardson's hand: 'Hu zhang, Pa blon chen, Pha bong ka, Nyenchen thang lho, Rva sgreng, Khro 'brug, etc. etc.' [KC 10/3/2006]

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Notes on negative index - Folio 39. 'Phanpo. Rgyal in distance'

Manual Catalogues -

Manual Catalogues - Richardson Hand List: Album no. 2, [no.] 23-5. 'Valley of Phan-po. N. of Lhasa'. [KC 22/3/2006]

Other Information - Background: Richardson discusses the site in High Peaks, Pure Earth , London, Serindia Publications, 1998, "Near the head of the 'Phan-po valley is the temple of Rgyal (1949), founded in 1012 by Zhang Sna-nam Rdo-rje dbang-phyug, whose family was related by marriage to the Tibetan kings. In front of the temple is a tall stone pillar with a partly damaged inscription of no real historical interest. The temple, formerly famed for its wealth, was looted and damaged by fire by the invading Mongols in 1280 ... The original name of the temple was Rgyal Lug-lhas, "The Sheepfold"." (p. 309)

For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Gyal temple in the Phenpo valley" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_2001.59.2.39.1.html>.

For more information about photographic usage or to order prints, please visit the The Pitt Rivers Museum.