# Songtsän Gampo

> Tibetan emperor (604-650)

**Wikidata**: [Q320122](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320122)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songtsen_Gampo)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/songtsan-gampo

## Summary
Songtsän Gampo was a Tibetan emperor who ruled from 604 to 650, serving as the founder of the Tibetan Empire (618–842). He is known for his military conquests, religious patronage, and the expansion of Tibetan influence across the Himalayan region.

## Biography
- Born: 604 (exact location unknown)
- Nationality: Tibetan
- Known for: Establishing the Tibetan Empire and promoting Tibetan Buddhism
- Employer(s): Tibetan Empire
- Field(s): Political leadership, religious patronage

## Contributions
Songtsän Gampo founded the Tibetan Empire in 618, unifying Tibetan tribes and expanding Tibetan influence across the Himalayas. He is credited with promoting Tibetan Buddhism and patronizing religious institutions such as Yerpa Monastery. His reign marked a period of significant territorial and cultural expansion for Tibet.

## FAQs
**What was Songtsän Gampo's primary role?**
Songtsän Gampo was the founder of the Tibetan Empire, ruling from 604 to 650. His primary role was political leadership, military expansion, and religious patronage.

**Where did Songtsän Gampo establish the Tibetan Empire?**
The Tibetan Empire was centered on the Tibetan Plateau, with its capital in Lhasa. Songtsän Gampo's conquests expanded Tibetan influence across the Himalayan region.

**What religious institutions did Songtsän Gampo support?**
Songtsän Gampo patronized Yerpa Monastery, a key religious institution in Dromdoi, Dagzê District, Lhasa, Tibet.

## Why They Matter
Songtsän Gampo's reign laid the foundation for the Tibetan Empire, which lasted until 842. His military conquests and religious patronage shaped Tibetan culture and politics, influencing later generations of Tibetan leaders. Without his leadership, the unified Tibetan state and its religious traditions may not have developed as they did.

## Notable For
- Founder of the Tibetan Empire (618–842)
- Patron of Yerpa Monastery
- Expansion of Tibetan influence across the Himalayas

## Body
### Early Life and Rise to Power
Songtsän Gampo was born in 604 and ascended to the throne through military conquests, uniting Tibetan tribes. His early reign focused on consolidating power and expanding territorial control.

### Founding the Tibetan Empire
In 618, Songtsän Gampo established the Tibetan Empire, which became a dominant political and cultural force in the Himalayan region. His empire's capital was in Lhasa, and his rule marked a period of significant territorial expansion.

### Religious Patronage
Songtsän Gampo supported Tibetan Buddhism, patronizing religious institutions such as Yerpa Monastery. His patronage helped solidify Buddhist traditions in Tibet and beyond.

### Legacy and Influence
Songtsän Gampo's reign had a lasting impact on Tibetan history, shaping the empire's political and religious landscape. His military achievements and religious support continue to be studied as foundational to Tibetan identity.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. IdRef