Lhasa Newar (alternate name: Lhasa Newah) (Newar: ल्हासा नेवा) refers to the expatriate Newar traders and artisans who traveled between the Kathmandu Valley and Tibet from centuries ago. These Nepalese merchants conducted trade between Nepal, Tibet and Bengal, India over the Silk Road, and acted as a bridge for economic and cultural exchanges between South Asia and Central Asia.[1][2]
Along with the merchants, there were colonies of artisans in various parts of Tibet who were engaged in creating Buddhist art. They were major players in the exchange of art styles across the Himalaya.[3][4]
The thousand-year-old Lhasa Newar tradition came to an end after the caravan route linking India and Tibet through Sikkim was shut down by the Sino-Indian War in 1962. Subsequently, the merchants and craftsmen based in Tibet closed up shop and returned home to Nepal for the last time.[5]
- ^ Lewis, Todd T. "Buddhism, Himalayan Trade, and Newar Merchants". Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ Turin, Mark (16 March 2001). "Banjas along the Barkhor". Nepali Times. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
- ^ Lo Bue, Erberto F (1988). "Cultural Exchange and Social Interaction between Tibetans and Newars from the Seventh to the Twentieth Century". International Folklore Review. Pages 86-114.
- ^ Huc, M. "Travels in Tartary, Thibet and China during the Years 1844-5-6. Volume 2". London: Office of the National Illustrated Library. Retrieved 31 October 2011. Page 147.
- ^ Kaye, Melati (29 June 2013). "Renewed Nepali trade route draws regional ire". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 July 2013.