The Pillar at the Foot of the Potala
The Zhol inscription stands on a stone pillar at the southern foot of the Potala Palace in Lhasa — the single most famous inscription of the Tibetan Empire. It was erected by order of King Khri Srong Lde Brtsan (Trisong Detsen, r. c. 755–797 CE) to honor his minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong of the Ngan Lam clan, who served as Great Inner Minister and Great Adjudicator under two kings.
The inscription records one of the most dramatic events in Central Asian history: the Tibetan capture of the Chinese capital Chang'an (Keng Shi, 京師) in 763 CE. While the Tang dynasty was reeling from the An Lushan Rebellion (755–763), Tibetan forces under Klu Khong's command conquered vast Chinese territories, defeated the Tang army at the Wei River (Ci'u Cir, 渭水), seized the capital, and forced the Chinese emperor to flee. The Tang court was compelled to pay fifty thousand rolls of silk in annual tribute.
The pillar has three inscribed faces. The East face is a brief encomium of Klu Khong's loyal service. The South face is a military narrative — the political turmoil following the death of King Khri Lde Gtsug Rtsan, the exposure of treacherous ministers, and the great campaigns against China culminating in the fall of the capital. The North face is a legal decree granting perpetual privileges and protections to Klu Khong's descendants: immunity from collective punishment, protection of property, hereditary military commands, and a silver charter that cannot be confiscated.
The inscription was first studied by H. E. Richardson in "Ancient Historical Edicts at Lhasa" (1952) and later in "A Corpus of Early Tibetan Inscriptions" (1985). This translation is independently derived from the Old Tibetan source text as digitised by the Old Tibetan Documents Online project (OTDO). First freely available English translation. Translated from Old Tibetan by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.
East Face — The Minister's Service
Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong: although appointed as Great Inner Minister and Great Adjudicator, and though the royal decree was given — in accordance with the edicts, he undertook all manner of hardships in the king's service. He was the trusted mainstay of the governance of both outer and inner affairs, and he was just and equitable to both great and small. He accomplished all that was good and beneficial for the governance of the black-headed Tibetan people.
South Face — The Military Narrative
The Death of the Old King
In the reign of Emperor Khri Lde Gtsug Rtsan: [---] Ngan Lam Klu Khong served as a close and trusted minister. But 'Bal Ldong Tsab and Lang Myes Zigs, who served as great ministers, were treacherous from afar. The Emperor, the father Khri Lde Gtsug Rtsan, fell ill and passed away.
The Treacherous Ministers
When the Emperor's son Khri Srong Lde Brtsan drew near to illness, and the governance of the black-headed Tibetan people was being thrown into turmoil — Klu Khong brought the evidence of the treachery of 'Bal and Lang before the Emperor's son Khri Srong Lde Brtsan. The treachery of 'Bal and Lang was proven true, and they were punished and cast down. Klu Khong was the trusted one. [---]
The Campaigns Against China
In the reign of Emperor Khri Srong Lde Brtsan: the Emperor placed deep trust in Ngan Lam Klu Khong as a loyal minister and relied on his counsel. He admitted him to the inner council of ministers.
He was appointed commander of the army first led toward the Khar Tsan region, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese domains. Being skilled in strategy against enemies and wise in counsel, he subjugated many of the 'A Zha peoples who were under Chinese control, and cut off a great multitude of Chinese subjects. The Chinese were alarmed.
In the Chinese territories — Dbyar Mo Thang, [---] and the Tsong Ka region, [---] and other places — [---] great battles were fought. Klu Khong [---] the hostile enemies [---] conducted great affairs of state [---] and presented great counsel. His loyalty and devotion to governance were hard-won.
The Conquest of Chinese Territories
Emperor Khri Srong Lde Brtsan was wise in mind, and his counsel was far-reaching. All affairs of state that he conducted were excellent. He conquered and subjugated many territories and fortresses that were under Chinese control.
The Chinese emperor He'u 'Gi Wang Te and his ministers were terrified. For a full year without interruption, they presented fifty thousand rolls of silk as tribute. Thus the Chinese were made to pay tribute.
The Capture of the Capital
After that, the Chinese emperor — the father He'u 'Ki Wang Te — died. The Chinese emperor's son Wang Peng Wang ascended the throne. He refused to pay tribute to Tibet.
When the Emperor of Tibet fell ill, Ngan Lam Klu Khong presented the great counsel: to lead the Tibetan army to Keng Shi — the very heart of the Chinese realm, the palace of the Chinese emperor. Zhang Mchims Rgyal Zigs Shu Theng and Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong — the two were appointed as the great commanders of the army led toward Keng Shi.
They marched on Keng Shi. At the upper bank of the Ci'u Cir River, a great battle was fought with the Chinese. The Tibetans won the battle, and many Chinese were vanquished.
The Chinese emperor Kvang Peng Wang fled from the fortress of Keng Shi. He escaped to Sshem Ci'u. Keng Shi fell.
The Chinese emperor's inner minister 'Bye'u Tsin Keng and others — Dong Kvan and Bo Kan — [---] the Emperor's subjects [---] Tibet [---] and [---] the Princess Kim Sheng Kong Co's [---]
Several lines are severely damaged. The text appears to describe the aftermath of the capture — the submission of Chinese officials, the disposition of subjects, and the establishment of Tibetan authority over the fallen capital.
[---] ministers [---] kings great and small [---] to the very depth of the realm, his glorious fame was made to resound far. Klu Khong's loyalty and devotion to governance were hard-won.
North Face — The Decree of Privileges
The Silver Charter
[---] The text of the edict of honors granted to Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong, inscribed on a stone pillar.
In the gracious presence of Emperor Khri Srong Lde Brtsan, it was decreed: to the descendants of Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong, in perpetuity, one great silver charter — which shall not bring ruin upon their lives — is granted forever.
Hereditary Privileges
In each generation of the Emperor's sons and grandsons: one from among the aforesaid descendants shall be admitted as a middle-ranking attendant in the inner court, and shall have permanent right of access to the royal audience.
All those among the aforesaid descendants who hold positions in the king's service shall be honored and praised by royal decree.
Immunity from Collective Punishment
If the aforesaid descendants, when in the Emperor's presence, remain loyal and do not turn treacherous — even if some offense or crime should occur — their lives and positions shall not be taken. Whatever judicial punishment falls upon them, let it be reduced by one degree of severity.
If any of the aforesaid descendants should die without issue, their servants, lands, and livestock shall not be reclaimed by the crown, but shall be granted to the nearest kinsman.
Protection of the Charter
If the descendant of Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong who bears the silver charter of honor should die without issue, or fall under punishment — the silver charter shall not be reclaimed. It shall be granted forever to the nearest kinsman of Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong and his descendants.
Military Commands and Ranks
To the descendants of the father of Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong: the rank of secretary to the maternal-uncle minister, and a military command of three hundred troops, is granted.
No one else shall be placed as thousand-commander of the Imperial Guard of Phan Yul. From among the descendants of Gsas Slebs — the grandfather of Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong — one who holds a position, of upright commoner rank, shall be granted the position of thousand-commander of the Imperial Guard of Phan Yul forever.
Protection of Property and Position
The descendants of Ngan Lam Gsas Slebs who are granted as the Imperial Guard of the garrison: their unit assignments shall not be moved or changed.
All the servants, fields, pastures, forests, and other possessions under the hand of the aforesaid descendants — none shall be reclaimed, none shall be diminished, none shall be taken by others. Even if they themselves are displeased, neither near nor far, neither good nor bad, shall be exchanged.
Protection Against Malice
If anyone should, out of malice and enmity, seek to bring down the lives and positions of the aforesaid descendants, the imperial authority shall intervene from above.
If the aforesaid descendants do not turn treacherous, false accusations shall not be heeded, retaliation shall not be sought, and they shall not be punished.
The Limit of Justice
If any among the descendants should in truth turn treacherous before the Emperor, they alone shall be subject to judicial punishment for their crime. Other kinsmen shall not be implicated. Their lives and positions shall not be taken.
In summary: the Emperor showed supreme consideration for the descendants of the father of Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong — for their lives [---] and their positions [---]
Colophon
The Zhol Inscription (insc_Zhol), also known as "The Lhasa Zhol Pillar," is a stone pillar inscription at the southern foot of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. It dates to the reign of Khri Srong Lde Brtsan (Trisong Detsen, r. c. 755–797 CE), erected after the Tibetan capture of the Chinese capital Chang'an in 763 CE.
This is the most politically significant inscription of the Tibetan Empire. It records the military exploits of Minister Stag Sgra Klu Khong across two reigns — the turmoil following the death of Khri Lde Gtsug Rtsan, the suppression of treacherous ministers, and the great campaigns against Tang China that culminated in the fall of Chang'an. The North face contains a legal decree of extraordinary detail, granting Klu Khong's descendants perpetual immunity from collective punishment, protection of property and position, hereditary military commands, and a silver charter of protection that cannot be confiscated even if the bearer is punished. It is a constitution of aristocratic privilege — an empire rewarding loyalty with permanence.
The inscription has three faces: East (16 lines, summary of service), South (74 lines, military narrative), and North (68 lines, decree of privileges). The South face contains significant lacunae (damaged portions) in lines s33–s40 and s65–s68, where the stone is heavily weathered. These gaps are indicated by [---] in the translation. The final lines of the North face (n67–n68) are also damaged.
Historical identifications: He'u 'Gi Wang Te / He'u 'Ki Wang Te = likely Emperor Daizong of Tang (唐代宗, r. 762–779 CE). Wang Peng Wang / Kvang Peng Wang = likely Emperor Dezong of Tang (唐德宗, r. 779–805 CE). Keng Shi (京師) = the Chinese imperial capital, Chang'an. Ci'u Cir (渭水) = the Wei River. Sshem Ci'u (陝州) = Shanzhou. Kim Sheng Kong Co = likely Princess Jincheng (金城公主). 'A Zha (吐谷渾) = the Tuyuhun people. Dbyar Mo Thang = a region in the northeastern Tibetan borderlands. Tsong Ka = the Tsongkha region (modern Qinghai). Phan Yul = a district near Lhasa.
Translation notes: "btsan po" (btsan pho in the inscription's older orthography) is rendered as "Emperor" throughout. "glo ba nye" (lit. "liver near") = trusted, loyal — a standard Old Tibetan idiom. "glo ba rings" (lit. "liver far") = treacherous, disloyal. "mgo nag po" (lit. "black-headed") is a common epithet for the Tibetan people. "rje blas" = the king's service. "g.yung drung" = forever, eternal (lit. "indestructible"). "dku rgyal" = honors, decorations. "dngul gyi yi ge chen po" = great silver charter — a document of aristocratic privilege. Chinese personal names are rendered as they appear in the Old Tibetan transliteration; the identifications above are standard scholarly consensus.
This translation is independently derived from the Old Tibetan transliteration as published by the Old Tibetan Documents Online project (OTDO). H. E. Richardson's translations in "Ancient Historical Edicts at Lhasa" (Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1952) and "A Corpus of Early Tibetan Inscriptions" (Royal Asiatic Society, 1985) are the standard scholarly references but were not used as the basis for this translation. Richardson's work is not freely available. This translation was produced to make the inscription accessible to the public for the first time.
Translated from Old Tibetan by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Formatted for the Good Work Library by Raahi (राही), Expeditionary Tulku Life 58.
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Source Text: ཞོལ་གྱི་རྡོ་རིངས།
Old Tibetan source text from the Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO) project, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa (ILCAA), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Transliteration of the stone pillar inscription at Zhol, south of the Potala Palace, Lhasa. Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.
East Face (e1–e16)
(e1) $ / / blon stag sgra klu
(e2) khong / nang blon chen
(e3) po dang yo gal 'chos
(e4) pa chen por / bka'
(e5) stsald kyis kyang /
(e6) bka' lung dang 'dra
(e7) bar / rje blas dka'
(e8) dgu nyamsu blangs
(e9) te phyi nang gnyIs kyi
(e10) chab srid khab so [-]
(e11) dpend pa dang che
(e12) chung gnyis la dra[ng]
(e13) zhing snyoms te / bod
(e14) mgo nag po'i srid
(e15) la phan ba legs / /
(e16) dgu byas so / / /
South Face (s1–s74)
(s1) $ / / btsan pho khrI lde gtsug
(s2) rtsan gyI ring la' / /
(s3) [-] / / ngan lam klu khong gis / /
(s4) glo ba nye ba'I rje blas byas pha
(s5) / / 'bal ldong tsab dang / lang
(s6) myes zigs / blon po chen po
(s7) byed byed pa las / glo ba rings
(s8) nas / / / btsan pho yab khrI lde
(s9) gtsug rtsan gyi sku la dard te /
(s10) dgung du gshegs so / / /
(s11) btsan pho sras khrI srong lde brtsan
(s12) gyi sku la ni dard du nye / / bod
(s13) mgo nag po'i srid nI 'khrug du
(s14) byed pa las / klu khong gis / 'bal
(s15) dang / lang glo ba rings ba'I gtan
(s16) gtsigs / / btsan pho sras khrI srong
(s17) lde brtsan gyi snyan du gsold nas
(s18) 'bal dang / lang glo ba rings /
(s19) bden bar gyurd te / khong ta nI
(s20) bkyon phab ste / / klu khong glo ba nye'o
(s21) [-] / / btsan pho khrI srong lde brtsan gyI rIng
(s22) la / / / ngan lam klu khong glo ba nye la
(s23) bka' gros che nas / thugs brtand
(s24) te / / nang blon bka' la gtogs
(s25) par bcug nas / / rgya'I srid gyI nyam
(s26) drod rtog cing / khar tsan phyogs su
(s27) thog ma drangs pa'I / dmag dpon
(s28) du / bka' stsald gyis kyang / dgra'
(s29) thabs mkhas la gros gyis song de /
(s30) rgya'i khams su gtogs pa'i 'a zha
(s31) [ma]ng po bsdus / rgya las mnags phal
(s32) [p]o che bcad pas / rgya spa gong ste / / rgya'I /
(s33) kha[ms] su [gt]ogs pa dbyar mo thang /
(s34) [---] na dang / tsong ka phyogs
(s35) [---] [---]ng dang nas las stsogs
(s36) [pa] [---] [---]ng pho gcald / klu
(s37) [khong gis] [---] 'khrugs pa'I dgra
(s38) [---] chab srId chen pho m[dzad]
(s39) [---] [bka'] gros chen pho gsold
(s40) [---] glo ba nye zhing chab srId la dpend
(s41) [pa'i sems] dka' ba byaso / / / btsan
(s42) po khrI srong lde brtsan thugs sgam la' /
(s43) [bka'] gros gyI rgya che bas / chab srId gar
(s44) mdzad do cog du'ang legs ste / rgya'i khams
(s45) su gtogs pa'I yul dang mkhar mang po
(s46) bcom ste bsdus nas / / rgya rje he'u 'gI wang
(s47) te rje blon skrag ste / lo gcIg cing rtag du dpya
(s48) dar yug lnga khri phul te / rgya dpya' 'jal du
(s49) bcug go / / / de'i 'og du / rgya rje yab he'u 'kI
(s50) wang te grongs ste / rgya rje sras wang peng wang
(s51) rgyal por zhugs nas / bod la dpya' 'jal
(s52) du ma rung ste / / bstsan pho thugs snyung ba'I tshe
(s53) ngan lam klu khong gis / / rgya yul gyI thild / rgya
(s54) rje'I pho brang keng shir / bod gyIs dmag drang
(s55) ba'i bka' gros gyI mgo chen pho gsold nas /
(s56) keng shir drang ba'I dmag dpon chen phor / /
(s57) zhang mchims rgyal rgyal zIgs shu theng dang / /
(s58) blon stag sgra klu khong gnyIs / bka' stsald te /
(s59) keng shIr drangs nas / / ci'u cIr gyi rab ngogs
(s60) su rgya dang thab mo chen pho byas te / bod gyis g.yul
(s61) bzlog nas / / rgya mang po btungs pas / / rgya rje kvang
(s62) peng wang yang / keng shI'i mkhar nas byung ste' /
(s63) sshem ci'ur bros nas / keng shI phab ste rgya rje'I nang
(s64) blon ['bye'u ts]In keng las stsogs te dong kvan dang
(s65) bo kan ya[---] btsan po'i
(s66) 'ba[ngs] [---] bod [---]u gang
(s67) dang khra [---] te / kim sheng kong
(s68) co'i ming po [---] 'khras shIng
(s69) [---] blon po
(s70) [---] rgyal po che chung
(s71) [---] srid phugs su /
(s72) [gra] ba gta[m yun tu] snyand par byas te / klu khong glo
(s73) ba nye zhing chab srId la [dpen]d pa'i se[ms] dka'
(s74) ba byas so /
North Face (n1–n68)
(n1) [-] / / blon stag sgra klu khong /
(n2) dku rgyal gtsigs gnang
(n3) ba'I mdo rdo rings la yIg [du]
(n4) bris pa' / /
(n5) $ / / btsan pho khrI srong lde brtsan
(n6) gyi zha snga nas dbu snyung gnang
(n7) ste / blon stag sgra klu khong gi bu tsha
(n8) rgyud 'pheld la nam nam zha zha[r]
(n9) dngul gyI yi ge chen po gcig / /
(n10) na myI dbab par g.yung drung /
(n11) du stsald phar gnang ngo / /
(n12) btsan po sras dbon sku tse rabs
(n13) re zhing yang / zla gong gI bu tsha rgyud
(n14) 'peld las gcIg / zham 'bring /
(n15) na nang kor yan cad du gzhug
(n16) cing tshal zar rtag du mchIs par
(n17) gnang ngo / / zla gong gi bu tsha rgyud
(n18) 'peld la rje blas gyI rngo thog pa'I
(n19) rnams jI tsam du rngo thog par bkas
(n20) bkur zhIng bstod par gnang ngo /
(n21) zla gong gI bu tsha rgyud gyis / / btsan po'i
(n22) zha sngar / / glo ba ma rIngs na / nongs
(n23) myig gshan cI byung yang rung / srog
(n24) srid la myI dbab par / / bka' gyod gyI
(n25) tshigs cI la bab pa las / / bka' gyod
(n26) na gcIg gis smad cIng bskyung bar
(n27) gnang ngo / / zla gong gi bu tsha peld las
(n28) la la zhig / rabs chad na rabs chad
(n29) gyI khol yul dang / nor pyugs / blar myi
(n30) bzhes par / pu nu po gang nye ba stsald
(n31) par gnango / / / blon stag sgra klu khong /
(n32) gi bu tsha rgyud peld / dku rgyal gyi yi ge
(n33) lag na 'chang 'chang ba zhIg rabs chad
(n34) dam bkyon bab na yang / dngul gyI yi ge
(n35) blar myI bzhes par / blon stag sgra klu khong /
(n36) dang / zla gong gi bu tsha rgyud gang nye ba gcIg
(n37) dngul gyI yi ge chen po g.yung drung du stsald
(n38) par gnang ngo / / / blon stag sgra klu khong gi
(n39) pha zla gong gi bu tsha rgyud 'pheld gyi rnams
(n40) zhang lon yI ge pa'I thang dang / dmag sum rgyar
(n41) gnang ngo / / / sku srungs 'phan yul pa'I
(n42) stong dpon du gzhan su yang myi gzhug par
(n43) blon stag sgra klu khong gI myes po gsas slebs /
(n44) gyi bu tsha rgyud peld las gang rngo thog pa' /
(n45) dmangs 'drang ba gcig / sku srungs 'pan
(n46) yul pa'I stong dpon g.yung drung du stsald
(n47) par gnang ngo / / / ngan lam gsas slebs
(n48) gyi bu tsha rgyud 'pheld / nam zhar gyang sde sku
(n49) srungs su gnang ba las / sde cha gudu myI spo' myi
(n50) bsgyur bar gnang ngo / / / zla gong gi bu tsha'
(n51) rgyud 'pheld gyI lag na bran zhing 'brog sog
(n52) tshal las stsogs te dbang ngo cog / blar myi b[zhes]
(n53) myi dbrI gzhan gyis myi dprog khong ta bdag myI
(n54) dga' na nye ring dang bzang ngan myI brje bar
(n55) gnang ngo / / / zla gong gi bu tsha rgyud 'pheld la
(n56) la la zhig gIs sha khon gyi bag du srog srid la /
(n57) dma' bar byed pa zhIg yod na / bka' non bla
(n58) nas mdzad par gnang ngo / / / zla gong gi bu tsha
(n59) rgyud pheld gyIs glo ba ma rings na phra ma myi gstsand
(n60) glan ka myi btsal myI bkyon bar gnang ngo / / /
(n61) bu tsha 'pheld gyI nang nas la la zhig / / btsan po
(n62) zha sngar glo ba rings yang dag par gyurd na gang
(n63) nyes pa'I sgor / bka' gyod rma'o / / pu nu po gzhan /
(n64) khrin la myI gdags srog srid la myI dbab par gnang
(n65) ngo / /
(n66) $ / / mdor na' blon stag sgra klu khong gi pha zla gong
(n67) gi bu tsha rgyud pheld srog [---] dang srid de par thugs
(n68) gong mdzad de [---]
Source Colophon
Old Tibetan transliteration from the Old Tibetan Documents Online (OTDO) project, Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa (ILCAA), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Identifier: insc_Zhol. The OTDO transcription is based on established epigraphic readings of the stone pillar, drawing on publications by H. E. Richardson (1952, 1985), Li Fang-Kuei and W. S. Coblin (1987), and other scholars. The inscription is located at Zhol, south of the Potala Palace, Lhasa. Dating: post-763 CE, during the reign of Khri Srong Lde Brtsan (r. c. 755–797 CE).
OTDO editorial marks (underscores indicating restorations, brackets indicating damaged or uncertain readings) have been preserved in the transliteration above to indicate the state of the stone. Square brackets [---] indicate lacunae where the inscription is too damaged to read. The full diplomatic transcription with all editorial apparatus is available at the OTDO website.
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