3. Taxation by the Tibetan Authorities and the Formation of Fortresses

The Tibetan government set up fortresses, locally called dzong [rdzong], at several locations in Monyul as administrative offices for the purpose of collecting taxes. The dzong also functioned as administrative centers for local communities. In addition, the Tibetan government constructed Tawang Monastery, which exerted an influence on many aspects of the lives of the local inhabitants. Taxes collected from local residents were used by the monastery, and a portion of the taxes was transported to Lhasa. In the early eighteenth century, two administrators dzongpon, one at Dirang and another at Taklung, were appointed for collection of tax as contribution towards the monastery etc. Since 1944, especially in 1946 just before the independence, British-ruled India tried to abolish taxation by dzongpon in the Dirang and Kalaktang areas. However, since the taxation contributed to Tawang Monastery or to locally resettled former officials, the local people themselves continued this practice until 1951. This chapter examines the types of items that were collected as taxes and how the taxes were conveyed to Tawang Monastery and Lhasa. The main focus of this chapter is on the history of the interrelationships among the local people in the Monpa area, Tawang Monastery, and the Tibetan government.