The book deals with Tibetan history from earliest times, but especially with the aims and movements of the period witnessed by the author early in this century. Anecdotes, conversations with leading Tibetans and quotations from poetry and proverbs illustrate the Tibetan point of view. Sir Charles Bell gives an inside view of the Tibet which he served for eighteen years on the Indo-Tibetan frontier, spoke and wrote the Tibetan language, and was brought into close touch with all classes from the reigning Dalai Lama downwards.

Recent developments in Tibet have attracted world wide attention and through this Indian edition, Sir Charles Bell`s classic study will perhaps be more eagerly read now than ever before.