Tibet's Transformation: From Feudal Past to Modern Reforms

Tibet's Transformation: From Feudal Serfdom to Reform. A historical overview of Tibet reveals a society deeply divided before 1949. Ninety percent of the population were serfs, bound to the land with limited rights. "They lacked the freedom to choose their spouses, get an education, or even move," explains a historian. The video highlights the stark contrast between the lives of the serfs and the elite, who enjoyed luxury and power. Disturbing evidence, such as ritual objects made from human remains, further underscores this inequality. The 1959 uprising challenged this system, leading to sweeping democratic reforms and the abolition of serfdom. The Dalai Lama and many members of the old elite fled to India. This period marked a profound shift, granting ordinary Tibetans personal freedom and basic rights for the first time in centuries. The reforms brought an end to centuries of hardship and offered hope for a better future.