Mustang (Kingdom)

Montang , Mustang ^[1] ( nep . मुन-तानग), (from Tibetan Moon Tan - fertile plain) - the administrative district of Nepal in the upper reaches of the Kali Gandaki River , corresponding to the former independent kingdom. Currently, royal power is preserved in the upper Mustang, the territory subordinate to the king is called the Kingdom of Lo . The capital of the kingdom is the small city of Lo Mantang (Mustang), which does not have administrative significance in Nepal.

Historical state
Mustang
मुन-तानग
Flag
Anthem : The National Anthem of the Kingdom of Luo
← →
Capital	Lo mantang
Largest cities	Lo Mantang, Jomsom
Languages)	Thakali, Tibetan
Square
Kings lo
• 1860-1905	Jamyan Tenzing Thrandul
• 1905-1950, 1961-1970	Angoon Tenzing
• 1950-1961	Angdu Nyingpo
• 1970-2016	Jigme Palbar Bista

Kali Gandaki Valley

The Mustang area is bordered by Tibet , located between the Nepalese provinces of Dolpo and Manang . The Mustang stretches for about 80 km from south to north, and about 45 km wide at its widest point, the height of Mustang is more than 2500 m. The climate of Mustang is relatively dry, as rain clouds are limited by the surrounding high mountains. The population is about 9000 people distributed in three cities and thirty villages, the population is mainly Thakali and Tibetans .

Mustang groups around the Kali Gandaki River and its tributaries. Previously, a trade path between Tibet and India ran along this river, along which the salt trade took place. In Thak Kola, the river runs along the bottom of a narrow gorge.

Currently, Mustang has lost its significance, because the main communication route between Nepal and Tibet began to run along the Friendship Road, the valley is impoverished and the small population is sometimes not able to feed itself. A significant part of the population of Mustang in certain seasons goes down the river inland Nepal.

The administrative center of the Mustang district is the city of Jomsom (population about 5 thousand (1998)), which has had an airport since 1962. Since 1970, many tourists have flocked to Jomsom.

Previously, Mustang was an independent kingdom, associated language and culture with Tibet. The dynasty continues to rule in the upper regions (Kingdom of Lo), and the capital of the royal estates is the city of Lo Mantang . The dynasty of kings (raja, gjelpo) of the Mustang originates from Ame Pal , currently in power is King Jigme Palbar Bista . The king’s son was tragically killed, and the continuation of the dynasty is in danger.

Ame Pal , the founder of Mustang, was a military leader who proclaimed about 1450 (according to other estimates of 1380) himself king of a Buddhist state. During its heyday, the territory of Mustang was significantly larger, Mustang occupied another part of modern Tibet. In the XV-XVI centuries, Lo Mantang was on the main trade route between India and Tibet, and was considered almost the second most important shopping center in Tibet. Salt was traded through Mustang. The fields were very fertile and huge herds grazed on pastures. Mustang monasteries were very active, they still have a large number of books.

In 1790, the kingdom entered into an alliance with Nepal in the war against Tibet, and was subsequently occupied by Nepal. Until 1951, the kingdom was a separate administrative unit ruled by its king, representing the king of Nepal.

From 1951 to 1960, foreigners were allowed to visit Mustang, but then entry was forbidden until 1991. In the 1960s and 1970s, Mustang was a stronghold of partisan khamp from Tibet , who fought against the Chinese authorities in Tibet. The rebels were supplied with weapons and food through American aviation, CIA planes threw bags from the air. After the Dalai Lama appealed to stop the war, many Khamps abandoned their weapons and settled in refugee camps in Nepal. Few continued the war "to the end." The opening of the valley in 1991 for tourism by the Nepalese government was unexpected.

Tourism in the kingdom in the upper Mustang is limited. Foreigners require special permission from the Nepalese authorities and payment of the fee.

After the abolition of the monarchy in Nepal on May 28, 2008, the new republican authorities demanded the liquidation of the royal power in Mustang. On October 8, 2008, King Jigma Palbar Bista was presented (and accepted) with the position of the Government of Nepal, on the king’s renunciation of power while maintaining his role as “a symbol of cultural preservation, with due respect” ^[2] .