Sho Pillar and Chakpori

Sho Pillar and Chakpori

2001.59.2.76.1 (Film negative)

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Key Information

Photographer

Hugh E. Richardson

Collection

Hugh Richardson

Date of Photo

1949-50

Region

Lhasa > Sho

Accession number

2001.59.2.76.1

Image Dimensions

55 X 57 mm

The tall Sho inscription doring (rdo rings) pillar. It was set up by a powerful minister to record his services to the king. It has a stone canopy topped by a carved finial representing the flaming wish-granting jewel. There are steps at the base and a further base laid out in bricks. Chakpori may be seen directly behind it and there are trees on the left.

Further Information

Photographic Process

Negative film nitrate

Date Acquired

Donated August 2001

Donated by

The executors of the estate of Hugh E. Richardson

Copy difference

Copy Neg

Expedition

Hugh E. Richardson

Published

‘High Peaks, Pure Earth’, Hugh Richardson, London, Serindia Publications, 1998 [view list of illustrations]

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 76. 'do' [Zhol]

Research publication - High Peaks, Pure Earth , H. E. Richardson, London, Serindia Publications, 1998, plate 22. "Zhol rdo-ring , Lhasa." [KC 09/11/2006]

Other Information - Location and History; Richardson discusses this pillar and provides traslation of the inscriptions on it in
A Corpus of Early Tibetan Inscriptions , Hertford: Royal Asiatic Society (James G. Forlong Series No. XXIX), 1985, pp. 1-25. "The three connected inscriptions on the east, south, and north faces of the tall and graceful stone pillar standing on the south side of the road that runs past the village of Zhol at the foot of the Potala are the earliest surviving from the time of the kings. pillar stands on the south side of the road that runs past the village of Zhol at the foot of the Potala in Lhasa." (p.1) The Zhol Pillar is thought to have been erected during the reign of Khri srong lde brtsan (755-c.794 A.D) to mark the appointment of relatively unknown person, Nganlam Tagdrag Lukhong (Ngan-Lam Stag sgra klu-khong), as a minister.

Hugh Richardson argues that the pillar was erected in 764 A.D or little later. The pillar is inscribed on all four sides. For a full transcrition and translation, see: H. E. Ricardson, A Corpus of Early Tibetan Inscriptions" Hugh Richardson, A Corpus of Early Tibetan Inscriptions". Royal Asiatic Society, London. 1985. pp:1-25. [TS 4/4/2005]

Other Information - Dates

Other Information - Dates: The date range of 1946-50 has been given for this this image as other contact prints of the type made from this image are datable to this period. Furthermore, it was during this time that Richardson seems to have developed his interest in Tibetan inscriptions most fully and made conscious efforts to make a photographic record of the main inscriptions before his departure in 1950. [MS 17/12/2005]

Other Information - Background: A view of Chagpori (lchags po ri) medical college founded by the Desi Sangye Gyatso in 1696. The college form a centre of training of Amchi, (doctor) and the manufecture of Tibetan medicine. (TS)







For Citation use:
The Tibet Album. "Sho Pillar and Chakpori" 05 Dec. 2006. The Pitt Rivers Museum. <http://tibet.prm.ox.ac.uk/photo_2001.59.2.76.1.html>.

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