An interview with
Alex McKay
Position & Affiliation: Retired Indo-Tibetan historian; Professor emeritus at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London and IIAS (International Institute for Asian Studies), Leiden
Date: March 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom
Interviewed by: Anna Sehnalova
Cite this archive
Oral History of Tibetan Studies. (2021, December 2). An interview with Alex McKay. Retrieved 26 April 2025, from https://oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/alex-mckay/.
“An interview with Alex McKay.” Oral History of Tibetan Studies, 2 Dec. 2021, https://oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/alex-mckay/.
Oral History of Tibetan Studies. 2021. An interview with Alex McKay. [online], Available at: https://oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/alex-mckay/ [Accessed 26 April 2025]
Oral History of Tibetan Studies. “An interview with Alex McKay.” 2021, December 2. https://oralhistory.iats.info/interviews/alex-mckay/.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Oral History of Tibetan Studies project.
Timestamps:
- 0:00 Intro
- 0:41 Could you tell us something about your life please?
- 5:27 Travel & voluntary work in India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh
- 11:45 First visit to Darjeeling and the Himalaya
- 14:14 Return to Australia, working and more travelling
- 17:31 First travel to Tibet
- 25:06 Visiting Mt. Kailash and going on pilgrimage
- 31:02 Living among Tibetan nomads
- 33:34 Beginning of an academic interest in Tibet
- 36:05 Studies at SOAS
- 43:17 People he met at SOAS
- 51:27 Memories of Hugh Richardson
- 56:59 Thoughts on PhD and postdoctoral work
- 1:00:47 Leverhulme Fellowship to write the book “Tibet and the British Raj”
- 1:01:57 Memories of Michael Aris
- 1:03:21 Experiences at Leiden university and “Pilgrimage in Tibet” Seminar
- 1:06:19 Memories of Alexander “Sandy” MacDonald
- 1:09:35 “The History of Tibet” (2003) book project and thoughts on editing procedures
- 1:14:13 Approach to new and original avenues in Tibetan studies
- 1:16:43 Return to SOAS and reflections on its development
- 1:18:37 Book on the history of Western medicine in the Indo-Tibetan Frontier regions
- 1:22:00 Retirement in 2006
- 1:24:08 Becoming an academic gun for hire and involvement with the IIAS in Leiden
- 1:28:53 Revisiting past Tibetan studies conferences
- 1:32:57 Finishing Kailash history book
- 1:39:04 Interest in Frontier studies and rejecting Theoretical History
- 1:42:52 Side project: Writing a book about New Zealand rugby team
- 1:48:15 Namgyal Institue and the History of Sikkim
- 1:56:24 Can you say something about your engagement in Bhutan?
- 2:01:03 What do you think has fascinated you about the Himalaya?
- 2:08:12 Why have you found the broad approach so important or interesting?
- 2:12:14 How do you think our understanding of Tibet has changed during your time that you are involved with it and our approach to the region?
- 2:25:35 Getting dust on your boots
- 2:29:43 What has your career in Himalayan and Tibetan studies given to you? How has it changed your life?
- 2:36:06 What did you find the most interesting and difficult with your work?
- 2:42:11 What do you see to be your most significant contributions and why?
- 2:50:40 What are you still planning to pursue?
- 2:54:30 As this project is intended for prospective and current students in Tibetan studies, would you have a message for them?
- 3:01:11 Do you might have more interesting memories of your travels?
Additional info
- A. McKay, “The other ‘great game’: politics and sport in Tibet, 1904–47,” International journal of the history of sport, vol. 11, iss. 3, p. 372–386, 1994.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_other_1994, title = {The other 'great game': politics and sport in {Tibet}, 1904-47}, volume = {11}, copyright = {Copyright Taylor \& Francis Group, LLC 1994}, issn = {0952-3367}, abstract = {Association football played by the British in Tibet had a clear political dimension, serving as a microcosm of the Great Game at the Raj's northern frontier; it may be seen as part of Britain's wider political moves in the Himalayan heartland. Briefly examines field sports, since British officers' fondness for shooting and fishing possibly influenced Tibetan perceptions of the British.}, language = {eng}, number = {3}, journal = {International journal of the history of sport}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {1994}, note = {Place: London Publisher: Taylor \& Francis Group}, pages = {372--386}, }
- A. McKay, ““Mythos Tibet” Symposium, Bonn, 10–12 May 1996,” The tibet journal, vol. 22, iss. 1, p. 102–104, 1997.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_mythos_1997, title = {"{Mythos} {Tibet}" {Symposium}, {Bonn}, 10-12 {May} 1996}, volume = {22}, issn = {0970-5368}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {The Tibet journal}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {1997}, note = {Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives}, keywords = {Academic conferences, Buddhism, Conference Report, Utopian fiction, Westerns}, pages = {102--104}, }
- A. McKay, “Pilgrimage studies. Sacred places, sacred traditions. Edited by D. P. Dubey. (Pilgrimage Studies, 3.) pp. 274, figs., maps. Allahabad, The Society of Pilgrimage Studies, 1994. Rs 350, US \$50.00,” Journal of the royal asiatic society, vol. 6, iss. 2, p. 276–277, 1996.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_pilgrimage_1996, title = {Pilgrimage studies. {Sacred} places, sacred traditions. {Edited} by {D}. {P}. {Dubey}. ({Pilgrimage} {Studies}, 3.) pp. 274, figs., maps. {Allahabad}, {The} {Society} of {Pilgrimage} {Studies}, 1994. {Rs} 350, {US} \$50.00}, volume = {6}, issn = {1356-1863}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {1996}, pages = {276--277}, }
- A. McKay, “Monks, spies and a soldier of fortune: the Japanese in Tibet. By Scott Berry, pp. 384, maps. London, Athlone Press, 1995. £28.00,” Journal of the royal asiatic society, vol. 6, iss. 2, p. 294–295, 1996.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_monks_1996, title = {Monks, spies and a soldier of fortune: the {Japanese} in {Tibet}. {By} {Scott} {Berry}, pp. 384, maps. {London}, {Athlone} {Press}, 1995. £28.00}, volume = {6}, issn = {1356-1863}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {1996}, pages = {294--295}, }
- A. McKay, “ ‘Kicking the Buddha’s Head’: India, Tibet and Footballing Colonialism,” Soccer and society, vol. 2, iss. 2, p. 89–104, 2001.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_kicking_2001, title = {'{Kicking} the {Buddha}'s {Head}': {India}, {Tibet} and {Footballing} {Colonialism}}, volume = {2}, copyright = {Copyright Taylor \& Francis Group, LLC 2001}, issn = {1466-0970}, abstract = {The author considers the historical relationship between football and India from a different perspective than that of the preceding authors. Their studies look at the region as a receptor of the game from Europe, but this essay, in looking at the way in which football arrived in Tibet, demonstrates that India has also been a point of transmission for soccer in Asia. The British took football with them on their diplomatic missions but the game was more than simply a means of passing the time. The author explores the aims and objectives of the British promotion of the game in the country and also considers indigenous responses to it and provides a contrast with the Indian example, as the local Tibetan elites successfully blocked the spread of the game among their communities.}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Soccer and society}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2001}, note = {Publisher: Taylor \& Francis Group}, pages = {89--104}, }
- A. Mckay, “Central Asia — Hugh Richardson: High peaks, pure earth: collected writings on Tibetan history and culture. Edited by Michael Aris. [xxi], 776 pp., 64 plates. London: Serindia, 1998. £25,” Bulletin of the school of oriental and african studies, vol. 62, iss. 2, p. 384–385, 1999.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_central_1999, title = {Central {Asia} - {Hugh} {Richardson}: {High} peaks, pure earth: collected writings on {Tibetan} history and culture. {Edited} by {Michael} {Aris}. [xxi], 776 pp., 64 plates. {London}: {Serindia}, 1998. £25}, volume = {62}, issn = {0041-977X}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies}, author = {Mckay, Alex}, year = {1999}, pages = {384--385}, }
- A. McKay, H. Sanderson, T. Myatt, P. Wangdu, H. Yan, K. Phuntsho, H. Diemberger, B. Huett, Y. Dhondup, and R. Barnett, “The Younghusband ‘mission’ to Tibet,” Inner asia (white horse press), vol. 14, iss. 1, p. 5–194, 2012.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_younghusband_2012, title = {The {Younghusband} 'mission' to {Tibet}}, volume = {14}, issn = {1464-8172}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {Inner Asia (White Horse Press)}, author = {McKay, Alex and Sanderson, Henry and Myatt, Tim and Wangdu, Pasang and Yan, Hu and Phuntsho, Karma and Diemberger, Hildegard and Huett, Bruce and Dhondup, Yangdon and Barnett, Robert}, year = {2012}, keywords = {Colonial history, Military history, Tibet, Asian studies, China, Cultural heritage, Data collection, Documents, Historical analysis, Historiography, Invasions, Narratives, Political conditions, Popular culture, Strategic planning, United Kingdom}, pages = {5--194}, }
- A. McKay, “Cold War in the High Himalayas: The USA, China and South Asia in the 1950s. By S. Mahmud Ali. pp. xxxviii, 285, Richmond, Curzon, 1999,” Journal of the royal asiatic society, vol. 11, iss. 1, p. 51, 2001.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_cold_2001, title = {Cold {War} in the {High} {Himalayas}: {The} {USA}, {China} and {South} {Asia} in the 1950s. {By} {S}. {Mahmud} {Ali}. pp. xxxviii, 285, {Richmond}, {Curzon}, 1999}, volume = {11}, copyright = {The Royal Asiatic Society, 2001}, issn = {1356-1863}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2001}, note = {Place: Cambridge Publisher: Cambridge University Press}, keywords = {Christianity, Christians, Coins, Iconography}, pages = {51}, }
- A. McKay and D. Wangchuk, “Traditional Medicine in Bhutan,” Asian medicine (leiden, netherlands), vol. 2005, iss. 1, p. 204–218, 2005.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_traditional_2005, title = {Traditional {Medicine} in {Bhutan}}, volume = {2005}, copyright = {Copyright 2005 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands}, issn = {1573-420X}, abstract = {The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is an independent state situated between China and India. It emerged as a unified polity in the early 17th century under the rule of an exiled Tibetan religious leader and much of its elite culture, including its medical traditions, were brought from Tibet during this period. The Bhutanese Traditional Medical system subsequently evolved distinct characteristics that enable it to be viewed as a separate part of the Himalayan tradition of Sowa Rigpa (̒the science of healing̓), which includes what is now known as Tibetan Medicine. After coming under the influence of the British imperial Government of India at the beginning of the 20th century, Bhutan was occasionally visited by British Medical Officers from the Indian Medical Service, who accompanied British Political Officers on diplomatic missions there. But when the British withdrew from South Asia in 1947 there were no permanent biomedical structures or even fully qualified Bhutanese biomedical doctors in Bhutan. Since 194 7, Bhutan has evolved a state medical system in which their Traditional Medicine is an integral part and patients have the choice of treatment under traditional or biomedical practitioners. With particular reference to the role of The Institute of Traditional Medicine Services in Thimphu this paper discusses the history, structures and practices of traditional medicine in Bhutan, including its interaction with biomedicine.}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {Asian medicine (Leiden, Netherlands)}, author = {McKay, Alex and Wangchuk, Dorji}, year = {2005}, note = {Place: Netherlands Publisher: BRILL}, pages = {204--218}, }
- A. Mckay, Dalai Lama, 2009.
[Bibtex]@misc{mckay_dalai_2009, title = {Dalai {Lama}}, language = {eng}, author = {Mckay, Alex}, year = {2009}, note = {ISBN: 1933782684 Pages: 557 Publication Title: Berkshire Encyclopedia of China: Modern and Historic Coverage of the World's Newest and Oldest Global Power Volume: 2}, }
- A. Mckay, Tibet (Xizang) Autonomous RegionBerkshire publishing group, 2009.
[Bibtex]@misc{mckay_tibet_2009, title = {Tibet ({Xizang}) {Autonomous} {Region}}, language = {eng}, publisher = {Berkshire Publishing Group}, author = {Mckay, Alex}, year = {2009}, note = {Edition: 1 ISBN: 0977015947 Pages: 2280–2284 Publication Title: Berkshire Encyclopedia of China Volume: 5}, }
- A. Mckay, Tibetan Uprising of 1959Berkshire publishing group, 2009.
[Bibtex]@misc{mckay_tibetan_2009, title = {Tibetan {Uprising} of 1959}, language = {eng}, publisher = {Berkshire Publishing Group}, author = {Mckay, Alex}, year = {2009}, note = {Edition: 1 ISBN: 0977015947 Pages: 2285–2287 Publication Title: Berkshire Encyclopedia of China Volume: 5}, }
- A. McKay, “ ‘That he may take due pride in the empire to which he belongs’: the education of Maharajah Kumar sidkeon namgyal Tulku of Sikkim,” Bulletin of tibetology, vol. 39, iss. 2, p. 27–52, 2003.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_that_2003, title = {'{That} he may take due pride in the empire to which he belongs': the education of {Maharajah} {Kumar} sidkeon namgyal {Tulku} of {Sikkim}}, volume = {39}, issn = {0525-1516}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Bulletin of Tibetology}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2003}, keywords = {Tibet, Cultural studies, Empires, India, Political leadership, Political sociology, Regional studies, Religious studies, Sikkim, Social values, Sociology of religion}, pages = {27--52}, }
- A. McKay, “Buddhism in Contemporary Tibet: Religious Revival and Cultural Identity. Edited by Melvyn C. Goldstein and Mathew T. Kapstein. [Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: University of California Press, 1998. 217 pp. \$15.95; £11.95. {ISBN} 0–520–21131–6.],” The china quarterly (london), vol. 162, p. 582–583, 2000.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_buddhism_2000, title = {Buddhism in {Contemporary} {Tibet}: {Religious} {Revival} and {Cultural} {Identity}. {Edited} by {Melvyn} {C}. {Goldstein} and {Mathew} {T}. {Kapstein}. [{Berkeley}, {Los} {Angeles} and {London}: {University} of {California} {Press}, 1998. 217 pp. \$15.95; £11.95. {ISBN} 0-520-21131-6.]}, volume = {162}, issn = {0305-7410}, language = {eng}, journal = {The China quarterly (London)}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2000}, pages = {582--583}, }
- A. McKay, “19th century British Expansion on the Indo-Tibetan Frontier: A Forward Perspective,” The tibet journal, vol. 28, iss. 4, p. 61–76, 2003.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_19th_2003, title = {19th century {British} {Expansion} on the {Indo}-{Tibetan} {Frontier}: {A} {Forward} {Perspective}}, volume = {28}, issn = {0970-5368}, language = {eng}, number = {4}, journal = {The Tibet journal}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2003}, note = {Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives}, keywords = {Buddhism, Boggarts, Diplomacy, Environmental policy, Government initiatives, Lamas, Territories, Trade, Viceroys, War}, pages = {61--76}, }
- A. McKay, “The indigenisation of western medicine in Sikkim,” Bulletin of tibetology, vol. 40, iss. 2, p. 25–48, 2004.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_indigenisation_2004, title = {The indigenisation of western medicine in {Sikkim}}, volume = {40}, issn = {0525-1516}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Bulletin of Tibetology}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2004}, keywords = {India, Sikkim, Drugs, Education, Indigenous culture, Medical anthropology, Pharmaceuticals, Traditional medicine, Westernization}, pages = {25--48}, }
- A. McKay, ““An excellent measure”: the battle against smallpox in Tibet, 1904–47,” The tibet journal, vol. 30/31, iss. 4/1, p. 119–130, 2005.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_excellent_2005, title = {"{An} excellent measure": the battle against smallpox in {Tibet}, 1904-47}, volume = {30/31}, issn = {0970-5368}, language = {eng}, number = {4/1}, journal = {The Tibet journal}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2005}, note = {Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives}, keywords = {Diplomacy, Lamas, Annual reports, Children, Epidemics, Epidemiology, Lymph, Nationalism, Smallpox, Vaccination}, pages = {119--130}, }
- A. McKay, “‘It seems he is an Enthusiast about Tibet’: Lieutenant-Colonel James Guthrie, OBE (1906–71),” Journal of medical biography, vol. 13, iss. 3, p. 128–135, 2005.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_it_2005, title = {‘{It} seems he is an {Enthusiast} about {Tibet}’: {Lieutenant}-{Colonel} {James} {Guthrie}, {OBE} (1906–71)}, volume = {13}, copyright = {2005 SAGE Publications}, issn = {0967-7720}, abstract = {Of the more than 20 officers of the Indian Medical Service who served in Tibet during 1904–50, when British Indian diplomats were stationed in that Himalayan state, James Guthrie was perhaps the most successful both in gaining the goodwill of the Tibetans and in advancing the reputation of medicine there. A Scotsman, Guthrie served in various military hospitals in India before his posting to Gyantse in southern Tibet in 1934–36, and during World War II he rose to be Assistant Director of Medical Services at the 10th Army headquarters in Teheran and Baghdad. Guthrie preferred the more remote imperial postings, however, and in 1945 he was posted to the Tibetan capital of Lhasa as Medical Officer to the British mission there. With his wife, who had nursing experience, he remained there until 1949, enjoying the variety of medical challenges and displaying an ability to accommodate Tibetan cultural beliefs within the practice of medicine. After service in Kuwait he returned to the UK, where he practised in the Shetland Islands for five years before establishing his own practice near Lyme Regis, where he died in 1971.}, language = {eng}, number = {3}, journal = {Journal of medical biography}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2005}, note = {Place: London, England Publisher: SAGE Publications}, keywords = {Tibet, United Kingdom, 20th Century, Guthrie, Guthrie J, History, History of medicine, Humans, Military Medicine - history}, pages = {128--135}, }
- A. McKay, “The Drowning of Lama Sengchen Kyabying: A Preliminary Enquiry from British Sources,” The tibet journal, vol. 36, iss. 2, p. 3–18, 2011.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_drowning_2011, title = {The {Drowning} of {Lama} {Sengchen} {Kyabying}: {A} {Preliminary} {Enquiry} from {British} {Sources}}, volume = {36}, copyright = {COPYRIGHT 2011 Library of Tibetan Works and Archives}, issn = {0970-5368}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {The Tibet journal}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2011}, note = {Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives}, keywords = {Buddhism, Lamas, Aristocracy, Bank accounts, British literature, Brothers, Drowning, Exile, Indian literature, Monasteries}, pages = {3--18}, }
- A. McKay, “Joseph S Alter (ed.) Asian medicine and globalization, Encounters with Asia, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2005, pp. vi, 189, £29.50, US\$45.00 (hardback 0–8122–3866–4),” Medical history, vol. 50, iss. 3, p. 402–403, 2006.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_joseph_2006, title = {Joseph {S} {Alter} (ed.) {Asian} medicine and globalization, {Encounters} with {Asia}, {Philadelphia}, {University} of {Pennsylvania} {Press}, 2005, pp. vi, 189, £29.50, {US}\$45.00 (hardback 0-8122-3866-4)}, volume = {50}, issn = {0025-7273}, language = {eng}, number = {3}, journal = {Medical history}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2006}, pages = {402--403}, }
- E. R. Sulek, J. Bray, and A. McKay, “Introduction: Wim van Spengen’s Worlds,” The tibet journal, vol. 39, iss. 1, p. 3–11, 2014.
[Bibtex]@article{sulek_introduction_2014, title = {Introduction: {Wim} van {Spengen}'s {Worlds}}, volume = {39}, issn = {0970-5368}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {The Tibet journal}, author = {Sulek, Emilia Roza and Bray, John and McKay, Alex}, year = {2014}, note = {Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives}, pages = {3--11}, }
- A. McKay, “Indian structures, Sikkimese processes: on being unprepared for the (Indian) nation,” Asian ethnicity, vol. 22, iss. 2, p. pp272–289, 2021.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_indian_2021, title = {Indian structures, {Sikkimese} processes: on being unprepared for the ({Indian}) nation}, volume = {22}, copyright = {legaldeposit; © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor \& Francis Group}, issn = {1463-1369}, abstract = {ABSTRACT: In this article I draw on Robb"s insights ("The Colonial State and Constructions of Indian Identity" Modern Asian Studies, 1997), in discussing how during the British period (1888 to 1918), Indian structures were introduced and established in Sikkim closely following models used in British India. In areas such as law and justice, health, education, taxation and communication systems, Sikkim was structurally aligned with India. In contrast, however, the colonial era processes of national identity construction in Sikkim entirely excluded identification with an Indian Nation. Under the British, Sikkimese identity was constructed as a Tibetan Buddhist state comprising "indigenous" Bhutia-Lepcha citizens. That identity excluded immigrants whose origins were in the Gurkha kingdom. As a result of the social processes that imagined Sikkim as an (independent) Buddhist Nation, none of the ethnic communities in Sikkim identified themselves as "Indian", leaving Sikkim structurally equipped but socially unprepared for membership of an Indian Nation.}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Asian Ethnicity}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2021}, note = {Publisher: Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, keywords = {306.0895, Asia–Ethnic relations–Periodicals, Ethnicity–Asia–Periodicals, Ethnology–Asia–Periodicals, Sikkim–buddhist identity–structures–processes–modernisation}, pages = {pp272--289}, }
- A. McKay, “Indifference, Cultural Difference, and a Porous Frontier: Some Remarks on the History of Recreational Drugs in the Tibetan Cultural World,” The tibet journal, vol. 39, iss. 1, p. 57–73, 2014.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_indifference_2014, title = {Indifference, {Cultural} {Difference}, and a {Porous} {Frontier}: {Some} {Remarks} on the {History} of {Recreational} {Drugs} in the {Tibetan} {Cultural} {World}}, volume = {39}, issn = {0970-5368}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {The Tibet journal}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2014}, note = {Publisher: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives}, keywords = {Annual reports, Cannabis, Chinese culture, Cigarette smoking, Cigarettes, Narcotic dependence, Opium, Recreational drugs, South Asian culture, Tobacco smoking}, pages = {57--73}, }
- A. McKay, “A Forgotten American: Francis Nichols’ Quest for Lhasa, 1903-04,” Asian affairs (london), vol. 46, iss. 2, p. 212–231, 2015.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_forgotten_2015, title = {A {Forgotten} {American}: {Francis} {Nichols}' {Quest} for {Lhasa}, 1903-04}, volume = {46}, copyright = {2015 The Royal Society for Asian Affairs 2015}, issn = {0306-8374}, abstract = {The New York-born journalist and travel writer Francis Nichols (1879-1904) is best known for his travels through early 20 th -century China. However, his attempt in 1903-4 to travel through Tibet to Lhasa ahead of the Younghusband Mission, and thus to become the first westerner to reach the city, has been forgotten, partly on account of his death in the field and the loss of his diary. From new research in recently-catalogued documents and letters in the archives of the American Geographical Society (AGS), the author has compiled an account of Nichols' mission to Lhasa, including the support he received from US backers, including the AGS, his travels in China, Tibet and India, and his relations with Younghusband and the British. Although Nichols was unable to reach Lhasa, the author observes that he should be credited as the first American to travel from India into the Chumbi valley in southern Tibet and across the Tibetan plateau from Phari to the town of Gyantse, 120 miles south-west of Lhasa.}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Asian affairs (London)}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2015}, note = {Place: London Publisher: Routledge}, pages = {212--231}, }
- A. McKay, ““The Birth of a Clinic”? The IMS Dispensary in Gyantse (Tibet), 1904–1910,” Medical history, vol. 49, iss. 2, p. 135–154, 2005.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_birth_2005, title = {“{The} {Birth} of a {Clinic}”? {The} {IMS} {Dispensary} in {Gyantse} ({Tibet}), 1904–1910}, volume = {49}, copyright = {Copyright © The Author(s) 2005. Published by Cambridge University Press}, issn = {0025-7273}, abstract = {The establishment in 1904 of a British hospital at Gyantse, in southwestern Tibet, marked the formal introduction of biomedicine into that Himalayan state. In the ensuing decades, officers of the Indian Medical Service (IMS) offered treatment to Tibetans from their Gyantse base as a part of the British imperial relationship with the Tibetan state.}, language = {eng}, number = {2}, journal = {Medical history}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2005}, note = {Place: Cambridge, UK Publisher: Cambridge University Press}, keywords = {Medicine, Tibet, United Kingdom, 20th Century, History, History of medicine, Humans, 20th century, Ambulatory Care Facilities - history, Arts \& Humanities, Biology, Developing Countries, Health Care Sciences \& Services, History \& Philosophy Of Science, History of science and technology, Life sciences, Life Sciences \& Biomedicine, pharmacy, Pharmacy, Science \& Technology, surgery, Therapeutics}, pages = {135--154}, }
- A. McKay, “Berenice Guyot-Rechard, Shadow States: India, China and the Himalayas, 1910–1962,” Asian ethnology, vol. 78, iss. 1, p. 197, 2019.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_berenice_2019, title = {Berenice {Guyot}-{Rechard}, {Shadow} {States}: {India}, {China} and the {Himalayas}, 1910-1962}, volume = {78}, copyright = {COPYRIGHT 2019 Nanzan University}, issn = {1882-6865}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {Asian ethnology}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2019}, note = {Publisher: Nanzan University}, keywords = {Book publishing}, pages = {197}, }
- A. Mckay, “Towards a History of Medical Missions,” Medical history, vol. 51, iss. 4, p. 547–551, 2007.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_towards_2007, title = {Towards a {History} of {Medical} {Missions}}, volume = {51}, copyright = {Copyright © The Author(s) 2007. Published by Cambridge University Press}, issn = {0025-7273}, language = {eng}, number = {4}, journal = {Medical history}, author = {Mckay, Alex}, year = {2007}, note = {Place: Cambridge, UK Publisher: Cambridge University Press}, keywords = {Arts \& Humanities, Health Care Sciences \& Services, History \& Philosophy Of Science, Life Sciences \& Biomedicine, Science \& Technology, Essay Review, Review}, pages = {547--551}, }
- A. McKay, “The British Invasion of Tibet, 1903-04,” Inner asia (white horse press), vol. 14, iss. 1, p. 5–25, 2012.
[Bibtex]@article{mckay_british_2012, title = {The {British} {Invasion} of {Tibet}, 1903–04}, volume = {14}, copyright = {2012 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands}, issn = {1464-8172}, abstract = {In 1903–04, British forces under the command of the Indian Political Officer, Colonel Francis Younghusband, invaded Tibet. After failed negotiations and a series of battles in which Younghusband's modern weaponry vanquished Tibetan forces, the British entered Lhasa and imposed a treaty on the Tibetans. While a fear of Russian influence in Lhasa was the main reason given for the invasion, Tibet's policy of isolating itself from British India was probably a more significant cause. The subsequent withdrawal of the British from Lhasa created a power vacuum which enabled the Chinese to re-establish their authority at Lhasa. This article gives an overview of the main issues, events and personalities involved in the invasion.}, language = {eng}, number = {1}, journal = {Inner Asia (White Horse Press)}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2012}, note = {Place: The Netherlands Publisher: Global Oriental}, keywords = {Political history, Tibet, Political conditions, United Kingdom, India, Lamas, Viceroys, War, Indian literature, Monasteries, American literature, Colonial government, DALAI LAMA, Foreign policy, HISTORY AND HISTORICAL SOURCES, INVASION, ISOLATION, Isolationism, LOOTING, Military diplomacy, Military intervention, Porters, Power relations, Trade regulations, Weapons}, pages = {5--25}, }
- I. Yumiko and A. McKay, The Early 20th Century Resurgence of the Tibetan Buddhist World: Studies in Central Asian Buddhism, Amsterdam: Amsterdam university press, 2022.
[Bibtex]@book{yumiko_early_2022, address = {Amsterdam}, title = {The {Early} 20th {Century} {Resurgence} of the {Tibetan} {Buddhist} {World}: {Studies} in {Central} {Asian} {Buddhism}}, isbn = {978-90-485-5306-8}, shorttitle = {The {Early} 20th {Century} {Resurgence} of the {Tibetan} {Buddhist} {World}}, abstract = {The Early 20th Century Resurgence of the Tibetan Buddhist World is a cohesive collection of studies by Japanese, Russian and Central Asian scholars deploying previously unexplored Russian, Mongolian, and Tibetan sources concerning events and processes in the Central Asian Buddhist world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Set in the final days of the Qing empire when Russian and British empires were expanding into Central Asia, this work examines the interplay of religious, economic and political power among peoples who acknowledged the religious authority of Tibet's Dalai Lama. It focuses on diplomatic initiatives involving the 13th Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist hierarchs during and after his exile in Mongolia and China, as well as his relations with Mongols, and with Buriat, Kalmyk, and other Russian Buddhists. It demonstrates how these factors shaped historical processes in the region, not least the reformulations of both group identity and political consciousness}, language = {eng}, publisher = {Amsterdam University Press}, author = {Yumiko, Ishihama and McKay, Alex}, year = {2022}, note = {OCLC: 1294144673}, }
- New developments in Asian studies: an introduction, P. van der Velde and A. McKay, Eds., London ; New York : Leiden: Kegan paul international ; in association with the international institute for asian studies, 1998.
[Bibtex]@book{velde_new_1998, address = {London ; New York : Leiden}, series = {Studies from the {International} {Institute} for {Asian} {Studies}}, title = {New developments in {Asian} studies: an introduction}, isbn = {978-0-7103-0606-7}, shorttitle = {New developments in {Asian} studies}, publisher = {Kegan Paul International ; in association with the International Institute for Asian Studies}, editor = {Velde, Paul van der and McKay, Alex}, year = {1998}, keywords = {Asia}, }
- Hi-ma-la-ya’i nang pa sang rgyas pa’i chos dang rgyal rabs, rig gzhung gi zhib ’jug, 1. saṃskarana ed., T. T. Josayma, Bstan-pa-ñi-ma, A. McKay, A. Balikci-Denjongpa, and N. I. of Tibetology, Eds., Gangtok, Sikkim: Rnam-rgyal bod-kyi śes-rig ñams-źib-khaṅ, 2011.
[Bibtex]@book{tashi_tsering_josayma_hi-ma--yai_2011, address = {Gangtok, Sikkim}, edition = {1. saṃskarana}, title = {Hi-ma-la-yaʼi nang pa sang rgyas paʼi chos dang rgyal rabs, rig gzhung gi zhib ʼjug}, isbn = {978-81-922261-0-1 978-81-922261-1-8 978-81-922261-4-9}, abstract = {Collectection of contributed articles presented during Golden jubilee Conference of the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology heldy on Oct. 1-5, 2008 on the theme of Buddhist Himalaya studies in religion, history, and culture}, language = {tib eng}, publisher = {Rnam-rgyal Bod-kyi Śes-rig Ñams-źib-khaṅ}, editor = {Tashi Tsering Josayma and Bstan-pa-ñi-ma and McKay, Alex and Balikci-Denjongpa, Anna and Namgyal Institute of Tibetology}, year = {2011}, keywords = {Buddhism, History, Buddhism and culture, Civilization Buddhist influences, Congresses, Himalaya Mountains Region, Religion}, }
- A. McKay, The team that changed rugby forever: the 1967 All Blacks, London: New holland, 2017.
[Bibtex]@book{mckay_team_2017, address = {London}, title = {The team that changed rugby forever: the 1967 {All} {Blacks}}, isbn = {978-1-86966-472-5}, shorttitle = {The team that changed rugby forever}, abstract = {"The 1967 All Blacks went unbeaten through their tour of the northern hemisphere, introducing a notable 15-man attacking style, which is still a feature of New Zealand rugby today ... Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, this is not just the story of a rugby tour and a team of successful players; author Alex McKay has produced a social history having interviewed the members of the side that toured the British Isles, France and Canada - a team of amateur players; young talented Kiwi lads, who in reality "worked all week and played rugby at the weekend". During a period of radical change in the world, a bunch of essentially conservative men produced a radical change in the game in the game of rugby"--Back cover}, language = {eng}, publisher = {New Holland}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2017}, note = {OCLC: 968763258}, }
- A. McKay, Kailas histories: renunciate traditions and the construction of Himalayan sacred geography, Leiden ; Boston: Brill, 2015.
[Bibtex]@book{mckay_kailas_2015, address = {Leiden ; Boston}, series = {Brill's {Tibetan} studies library}, title = {Kailas histories: renunciate traditions and the construction of {Himalayan} sacred geography}, isbn = {978-90-04-30458-1}, shorttitle = {Kailas histories}, number = {volume 38}, publisher = {Brill}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2015}, keywords = {History, China Kailas, Mount, Hindu pilgrims and pilgrimages, Kailas, Mount (China), Religious life and customs, Tibet Autonomous Region (China), Tibet region}, }
- A. McKay, Their footprints remain: biomedical beginnings across the Indo-Tibetan frontier, Amsterdam: Amsterdam university press, 2007.
[Bibtex]@book{mckay_their_2007, address = {Amsterdam}, series = {{IIAS} publications series. {Monographs}}, title = {Their footprints remain: biomedical beginnings across the {Indo}-{Tibetan} frontier}, isbn = {978-90-5356-518-6}, shorttitle = {Their footprints remain}, number = {1}, publisher = {Amsterdam University Press}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2007}, note = {OCLC: ocn192072380}, keywords = {Medicine, History, 20th century, Tibet Autonomous Region (China), 19th century, Bhutan, Sikkim (India)}, }
- Tibet and her neighbours: a history, A. McKay, Ed., London: Edition hansjörg mayer, 2003.
[Bibtex]@book{mckay_tibet_2003, address = {London}, title = {Tibet and her neighbours: a history}, isbn = {978-3-88375-718-6}, shorttitle = {Tibet and her neighbours}, publisher = {Edition Hansjörg Mayer}, editor = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2003}, note = {OCLC: ocm52784305}, keywords = {History, Tibet Autonomous Region (China), Foreign relations}, }
- The history of Tibet, A. McKay, Ed., London ; New York: Routledgecurzon, 2003.
[Bibtex]@book{mckay_history_2003, address = {London ; New York}, title = {The history of {Tibet}}, isbn = {978-0-7007-1508-4 978-0-415-30842-7 978-0-415-30843-4 978-0-415-30844-1}, publisher = {RoutledgeCurzon}, editor = {McKay, Alex}, year = {2003}, note = {OCLC: ocm50494840}, keywords = {History, Tibet Autonomous Region (China)}, }
- A. McKay, Pilgrimage in Tibet, Richmond, Surrey: Curzon : international institute for asian studies, 1998.
[Bibtex]@book{mckay_pilgrimage_1998, address = {Richmond, Surrey}, title = {Pilgrimage in {Tibet}}, isbn = {978-1-136-80716-9}, language = {eng}, publisher = {Curzon : International Institute for Asian Studies}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {1998}, note = {OCLC: 865579026}, }
- A. McKay, Tibet and the British Raj: the frontier cadre, 1904–1947, Richmond, Surrey: Curzon, 1997.
[Bibtex]@book{mckay_tibet_1997, address = {Richmond, Surrey}, series = {London studies on {South} {Asia}}, title = {Tibet and the {British} {Raj}: the frontier cadre, 1904-1947}, isbn = {978-0-7007-0627-3}, shorttitle = {Tibet and the {British} {Raj}}, number = {no. 14}, publisher = {Curzon}, author = {McKay, Alex}, year = {1997}, keywords = {History, 20th century, Tibet Autonomous Region (China), British, China Tibet}, }
- Medicine between science and religion: explorations on Tibetan grounds, V. Adams, M. Schrempf, and S. R. Craig, Eds., New York: Berghahn books, 2011.
[Bibtex]@book{adams_medicine_2011, address = {New York}, title = {Medicine between science and religion: explorations on {Tibetan} grounds}, isbn = {978-1-84545-974-1}, shorttitle = {Medicine between science and religion}, language = {eng}, publisher = {Berghahn Books}, editor = {Adams, Vincanne and Schrempf, Mona and Craig, Sienna R.}, year = {2011}, note = {OCLC: 732958381}, }