Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t22.6

v1.c7.s3.t22.6

In 17th century CE, the fifth Dalai Lama established Chapter Kagyu Dan’s regime in Drepung Monastery and began a large-scale renovation of Potala Palace after he was in charge of Tibet’s political and religious power. Since 1645, it took three years to build the White Palace part of the Potala Palace. In 1682, the fifth Dalai Lama died. In 1690, Desi Sangye Gyats aroused tens of thousands of artisans and workers to build the Red Palace part of Potala Palace and spent four years to finish this project. And so far Potala Palace’s overall architectural pattern was basically formed. In order to build the Red Palace in addition to local craftsmen, the Qing government and the government of Nepal have also sent craftsmen to take part in the construction and the number of constructors was more than 7,700 people every day. The project totally cost about 2.13 million *liang* of silver.