The East India Company’s Missions to Bhutan and Tibet
The East India Company’s Missions to Bhutan and Tibet [1] The East India Company had desire to have trade relations with Tibet and also with China through lands. The company extended its influence towards north. Trade was being carried out with Tibet through Nepal. But, at the same time, Gorkha also expanded its influence towards south. There were cases of conflict between the two. This affects the company’s trade with Tibet. The Board of Directors asked the Warren Hastings to explore alternative trade routes on 3 May 1771 [2] . The golden opportunities knock the door of company, when the Panchen Lama sent a letter to Warren Hastings asking him to cease the hostilities with Bhutan in 1774. This was the first ever contact between Tibet and the Company. Warren Hastings immediately prepared to send the mission to Tibet through Bhutan. George Bogle’s Mission to Tibet in 1774 There were many energetic and able officers of the Company. But Hastings’s choice fell on Mr. George Bo