Nearly a decade before the Dalai Lama fled Tibet, the Tibetan-Chinese Agreement was signed. This agreement gave China an increased role in the ruling of Tibet and left the Dalai Lama as little more than a figure head.
After several years of small and scattered protests, a larger revolt by the Tibetan people occurred in 1959. The revolt's roots were found in the fact that the Chinese government was suppressing the highly religious Tibetans' desire to worship as they chose.
When the Chinese communist forces crushed this revolt, the Dalai Lama sought permanent political refuge in India. He settled in Punjab and established a shadow Tibetan government.
Meanwhile, in Tibet, the Chinese government banned religion and destroyed thousands of monasteries. Over the years, some of these policies have been relaxed, but Chinese control of Tibet remains. From India, the Dalai Lama has continued to lead efforts in promoting an non-violent end to the occupation of China in Tibet.
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