Editing Ming dynasty (section)

==== Relations with Tibet ====
{{Main|Ming–Tibet relations}}
[[File:17th century Central Tibeten thanka of Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra, Rubin Museum of Art.jpg|upright=0.9|thumb|A 17th-century Tibetan [[thangka]] of Guhyasamaja Akshobhyavajra; the Ming court gathered various tribute items that were native products of Tibet (such as thangkas),<ref>{{harvp|Zhang|Xiang|2002|p=73}}</ref> and in return granted gifts to Tibetan tribute-bearers.{{sfnp|Wang|Nyima|1997|pp=39–41}}]]
The ''[[History of Ming]]''—the official dynastic history compiled in 1739 by the subsequent [[Qing dynasty]] (1644–1912)—states that the Ming established itinerant commanderies overseeing Tibetan administration while also renewing titles of ex-Yuan dynasty officials from [[Tibet]] and conferring new princely titles on leaders of [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist sects]].<ref>{{harvp|History of Ming|loc=Geography I, III; Western Territory III}}</ref> However, Turrell V. Wylie states that censorship in the ''History of Ming'' in favor of bolstering the Ming emperor's prestige and reputation at all costs obfuscates the nuanced history of Sino-Tibetan relations during the Ming era.{{sfnp|Wylie|2003|p=470}}

Modern scholars debate whether the Ming had [[sovereignty]] over Tibet. Some believe it was a relationship of loose [[suzerainty]] that was largely cut off when the [[Jiajing Emperor]] ({{reign|1521|1567}}) persecuted Buddhism in favor of [[Taoism]] at court.{{sfnp|Wylie|2003|p=470}}{{sfnp|Wang|Nyima|1997|pp=1–40}} Others argue that the significant religious nature of the relationship with Tibetan lamas is underrepresented in modern scholarship.{{sfnp|Norbu|2001|p=52}}{{sfnp|Kolmaš|1967|p=32}} Others note the Ming need for Central Asian horses and the need to maintain the [[Tibet during the Ming dynasty#Tribute and exchanging tea for horses|tea-horse trade]].{{sfnp|Wang|Nyima|1997|pp=39–40}}{{sfnp|Sperling|2003|pp=474–475, 478}}{{sfnp|Perdue|2000|p=273}}{{sfnp|Kolmaš|1967|pp=28–29}}

The Ming sporadically sent armed forays into Tibet during the 14th century, which the Tibetans successfully resisted.{{sfnp|Langlois|1988|pp=139, 161}}{{sfnp|Geiss|1988|pp=417–418}} Several scholars point out that unlike the preceding Mongols, the Ming did not garrison permanent troops in Tibet.{{sfnp|Ebrey|1999|p=227}}{{sfnp|Wang|Nyima|1997|p=38}} The [[Wanli Emperor]] ({{reign|1572|1620}}) attempted to reestablish Sino-Tibetan relations in the wake of a [[History of Tibet#The origin of the title of 'Dalai Lama'|Mongol–Tibetan alliance]] initiated in 1578, an alliance which affected the foreign policy of the subsequent Qing dynasty in their support for the [[Dalai Lama]] of the [[Gelug|Yellow Hat]] sect.{{sfnp|Wylie|2003|p=470}}{{sfnp|Kolmaš|1967|pp=30–31}}{{sfnp|Goldstein|1997|p=8}}<ref>{{harvp|The Ming Biographical Dictionary (1976)|p=23}}</ref> By the late 16th century, the Mongols proved to be successful armed protectors of the Yellow Hat Dalai Lama after their increasing presence in the [[Amdo]] region, culminating in the [[Mongol conquest of Tibet|conquest of Tibet]] by [[Güshi Khan]] (1582–1655) in 1642,{{sfnp|Wylie|2003|p=470}}{{sfnp|Kolmaš|1967|pp=34–35}}{{sfnp|Goldstein|1997|pp=6–9}} establishing the [[Khoshut Khanate]].