Tsipön Lungshar born Dorje Tsegyal (1880–1938) was a noted Tibetan politician who was accused by conservative political opponents of attempting to become the paramount figure of the Tibetan government in the 1930s, by planning a communist coup following the death of the 13th Dalai Lama.
Lungshar was one of the 'three favourites', close aides cultivated over two decades by the 13th Dalai Lama, who assigned Tibet's modernisation program to him. The other aides were Tsarong and Kunpella, who were both from peasant stock. All three were said to be exceptionally talented and intelligent with great depth of character. The 'genius', Lungshar, was a doctor, musician, philosopher, poet and statesman.[1]
As with Tsarong and Kunpella, as soon as their protector the 13th Dalai Lama died Lungshar became a target for the ultraconservative Lhasa elite who opposed all modernisation and reform: he was accused of plotting a coup and installing a communist system and was arrested along with, amongst others, the Dalai Lama's trusted personal attendants.[2] Being a noble and thus seen as a greater threat than the other close aides, he was imprisoned and had his eyes gouged out to prevent any further political opposition from his side.[1] The decision to blind the popular, reformist Lungshar came from Trimon, the reactionary chief minister who had been his chief political opponent.[3]