What is "kashag"

The Kashag was the governing council of Tibet during the rule of the Qing dynasty and post-Qing period until 1950s. It was created in 1721, and set by Qianlong Emperor in 1751 for the Ganden Phodrang regime. In that year the Tibetan government was reorganized after the riots in Lhasa of the previous year. The civil administration was represented by Council (Kashag) after the 7th Dalai Lama abolished the post of Desi (or Regent; see: dual system of government), in whom too much power had been placed.

The Council administrated matters of private and national interests. It was constituted of three temporal officials and one monk official. Each of them held the title of Kalön .

The function of the Council was to express opinions about matters or problems concerning the civil administration of the country and to present these opinions to the office of the first minister. The first minister then presented these opinions to the Dalai Lama and, during the Qing Dynasty the Amban, for a final decision. The privilege of presenting recommendations for appointing executive officials, governors and district commissioners gave the Council a lot of power.