Story of Khampas: Warriors that Mao’s army feared

These were Tibetan warriors who fought and won in initial battles against the Chinese army of Mao during its annexation of Tibet. While they were finally outnumbered, they are still revered for their heroism.

The Khampa warriors of Tibet were a group of Tibetan fighters who were known for their bravery and martial prowess. They were also known as “Khampas,” which means “warrior” in the Tibetan language. The Khampas were known for their fierce resistance to Chinese rule in Tibet, and they played a significant role in the Tibetan resistance movement of the 20th century.

According to Tibetan folklore, the Khampas were believed to be descended from the gods, and they were revered as great warriors and protectors of the Tibetan people. In Tibetan culture, the Khampas were seen as symbols of bravery and strength, and they were highly respected and admired.

The Khampas were particularly active in the 1950s and 1960s, during a time of great political upheaval in Tibet. At this time, the Tibetan resistance movement was fighting against the Chinese occupation of Tibet, and the Khampas were at the forefront of this struggle. They were known for their guerrilla tactics and their ability to launch surprise attacks on Chinese military installations and convoys.

One of their great victories came in July 1950 when around 800 Khampa militia (including 300 monks) raided Dengke region of Tibet, and killed 600 People’s Liberation Army (Chinese) soldiers.

Despite their bravery and determination, the Khampas were ultimately unable to prevent the Chinese from consolidating their control over Tibet. Many Khampas were killed or captured during the fighting, and others were forced to flee to Nepal or India.

In the decades following the Chinese occupation, the Khampas continued to fight for Tibetan independence, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful. Today, the Khampas are remembered as heroes and symbols of Tibetan resistance to Chinese rule.

Source: grin.news