Nyaké Amgön Gönpo Namgyal
Descending from a lineage of local chieftains who ruled the middle of the Nyakrong region (the valley of the Nyak Chu), Nyaké Amgön Gönpo Namgyal Gonpo Namgyal (1799–1865) led a series of military campaigns from the late 1830s which enabled him first to unify the whole of Nyakrong under his rule. Then he moved his focus towards north and was able to conquer most of Kham (the Hor States, the kingdoms of Derge, Litang and Chakla) in a series of military campaigns to the mid-1860s. While he was successful in defeating Qing forces to the east, he was eventually besieged by Central Tibetan forces in 1865, who burnt him alive in his fortress. This ended his rebel informal state in Nyakrong and Kham, as well as the Qing presence in the western part of Kham.
Since the early 8th century, Tibetans and Himalayan people have treasured "Namtars" as written or spoken narratives that demonstrate the realization of the Buddhist path by exceptional practitioners. These namtars, or spiritual biographies, serve as inspirational guides on the path to enlightenment.
Today, Namtars Foundation aims to record, preserve, and freely offer the world a written and electronic treasury of the oral wisdom of Tibetan and Himalayan Buddhism.
