The Animated History of Tibet is a nine-episode, fully-animated historical documentary series, written, directed, and animated by historians and artists passionate about Tibetan history and culture. The series covers the entire history of Tibet, from the earliest instances of writing on the Tibetan Plateau, through the 20th century, and into the present day.

Episode 6, “The Rise of the Dalai Lamas”, focuses on the lives of the third and fifth Dalai Lamas and the political crises and profound internal conflicts that led to the foundation of the Ganden Phodrang (the government of the Dalai Lamas) in 1642.

Where to watch: The episode will be available for free viewing, along with the rest of the series, on the educational YouTube channel Armchair Academics. Tune in this Saturday, June 6, at 12:00 PM GMT.

The series is written and directed by Dr. Alexander K. Smith, who holds a PhD in Tibetan and Himalayan Studies from the University of Paris (EPHE – PSL) and an MA in Tibetan Studies from Oxford University, and is co-produced by Tibet House US.