The historical map of the Duo Gan army and goverment office during the Ming Dynasty in China
Map Introduction
I. Establishment Background and Initial Structure
Ü-Tsang Regional Military Commission
Established in 1374 (7th year of Hongwu) through the upgrade of the former Ü-Tsang Guard. Its administrative seat was in Lhasa, and its jurisdiction covered most of present-day Tibet Autonomous Region (excluding Qamdo), as well as areas like Sikkim and Bhutan. The Hongwu Emperor secured the allegiance of Yuan dynasty officials such as the Tibetan Pacification Commissioner He Suonanpu and the Acting Imperial Preceptor Namkha Gyaltsen, recovered old Yuan seals, and appointed local leaders to positions like Assistant Military Commissioner and Battalion Commander, granting them hereditary rights.
Dokham Regional Military Commission
Established around the same period in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its jurisdiction encompassed present-day Qamdo (Tibet), eastern Yushu (Qinghai), and Garzê (Sichuan). Evolving from the Yuan-era Dokham Pacification Commission, the Ming dynasty governed by enfeoffing local religious and secular leaders (e.g., from the Sakya school). Its subordinate structure included 1 Guard, 2 fiefs for Dharma Kings, and 3 Pacification Commissions, among others.
II. Administrative System and Governance Characteristics
| Regional Military Commission | Management Mechanism | Religious Interaction | Military Deployment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ü-Tsang | Implemented a "Monastic Official System," appointing Lamaist monks as Military Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, etc. The highest monastic official, the Dharma King, held a hereditary position. | Maintained close relations with the Kagyü school (e.g., the Phagmodrupa Myriarchy). During the Yongle reign, the Fifth Karmapa, Deshin Shekpa, was enfeoffed as the 'Great Treasure Prince'. | Garrisoned troops in Hezhou (present-day Linxia, Gansu). The Regional Military Commander controlled both Ming forces and subordinate Tibetan troops. |
| Dokham | Functioned as a nominal suzerainty (jimi). Ties were maintained through the tributary system, and local officials were required to report to the Ming court. | Supported the Sakya school, continuing the Yuan "Imperial Preceptor" tradition but curtailing its secular authority. | Relied on a network of military strongholds such as the Xining Guard and Songpan Guard for defense. |
III. Evolution and Abolition
Ü-Tsang Regional Military Commission
* Yongle to Zhengde Periods: Implemented the "Multiple Enfeoffments" policy, granting princely titles to five rulers (e.g., Prince of Chanhua, Prince of Huguo) to prevent the dominance of any single power. * Late Wanli Period: Gradually became nominal due to the dynasty's declining strength. Formally abolished in 1618.
Dokham Regional Military Commission
* Jiajing Period: Invaded by Mongol forces under Altan Khan in Qinghai, severing connections with the Ming court. * 1630 (3rd year of Chongzhen): Effectively ceased to function following the termination of tribute missions by Tibetan monks.
IV. Historical Impact and Assessment
Territorial Sovereignty
Continued the Yuan dynasty's sovereign jurisdiction over Tibet. Incorporated the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau into the Ming administrative system through the Regional Military Commission structure, laying the foundation for Qing dynasty governance.
Governance Limitations
Actual control was loose, relying heavily on local autonomy. Effectiveness waned in later periods due to Mongol influence. Economic ties were maintained through tributary trade, but a stable taxation system was never established.
Religion and Culture
Promoted exchange between Tibetan Buddhist schools (e.g., Kagyü, Sakya) and the Central Plains. However, the policy of separating political and religious authority contributed to diminished control in later stages.
V. Key Events and Figures
* 1373: Namkha Gyaltsen recommended over 100 former Tibetan officials to serve the Ming, establishing the personnel foundation for the Commissions. * 1410: The Yongle Emperor enfeoffed the Karmapa (Black Hat lineage) of the Kagyü school as the "Great Treasure Prince," strengthening religious bonds. * 16th Century: The Mongol Tümed tribe gained control over Qinghai, leading to the collapse of the Dokham Regional Military Commission's administrative system.