Struggle For The Throne
It is very unclear, however, from the sources exactly what happened after the death of Tridu Songtsen. According to the Tibetan Annals, "he who would be crowned king" (i.e. Mes-ag-tshoms?) was born in the spring of 704, just a few months before his father died.
Beckwith states that in the winter of 704-705, Lha ("Balpho" or Lha Balpo), one of the sons of Tridu Songtsen, took the throne, but Thrimalö (Khri ma lod), the dowager empress, wife of Mangsong Mangtsen and mother of Tridu Songtsen, "dethroned Lha in favor of the infant Rgyal Gtsug ru, the future Khri gtsug brtsan, popularly known as Mes ag tshoms. Revolts and executions accompanied the virtual coup, but the Annals and Chinese sources have little to report on them. It is interesting to note that Lha apparently was not killed, but only forced into semiretirement. It was thus, perhaps, the "Retired Emperor" Lha who actually received and married the Chinese princess Chin-ch'eng in 710. In any event, Tibet experienced more internal unrest, and was conspicuously quiet on its borders with China."
Whatever the case, Mes-ag-tshoms was crowned king in 705 CE, although he was not formally enthroned until the death of Khri ma lod in 712.
Read more about this topic: Me Agtsom
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