Tibet and Francis Younghusband [audio 15min]

"Empire" 74th of 90: In 1902, viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, told the India Office in London that Tibet had decided on war with India and were relying on Russian and Chinese support. Curzon decided to send an emissary, Major Francis Younghusband, to Lhasa to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and establish a British legation. In London, Broderick, the India Secretary was wary of the scheme. Prime Minister, Balfour was equally sceptical and did not want to do anything that would further weaken relations with the Tsar. "This Sceptred Isle: Empire" is a narrative history of the British Empire from Ireland in the 12th century to the independence of India in the 20th, told in 90 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Juliet Stevenson. ~Visit website to listen again to 5 most recent episodes, plus interactive maps and timeline, biographical dictionary, image galleries, quizzes, sources, resources, listeners' comments.