There was concern over the fate of the Dalai Lama, then aged 23, who seemed to have disappeared.
4. Dressed up as soldier
It later emerged that Dalai Lama had been able to slip past Chinese troops massed around his palace on March 17, another AFP story said.
He left the palace dressed as a soldier and met up with a group of Tibetan resistance fighters 60 kilometres (37 miles) out of Lhasa, AFP reported, again citing The Statesman.
His entourage included his mother, sister, younger brother and several top officials.
5. Welcome in India
In March 31 the Dalai Lama walked across the border into the Indian state of Assam.
"The Dalai Lama entered India on March 31 in the evening," Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced on April 3, AFP flashed.
India granted the Tibet leader asylum on April 3 and permission to establish a government-in-exile in the northern hill station of Dharamsala, already a sanctuary for thousands of Tibetan exiles fleeing Chinese repression.
6. The so called separatist
From Dharamsala Dalai Lama launched a campaign to reclaim Tibet, gradually easing this into an appeal for greater autonomy.
Talks between the two sides failed, China adamantly rejecting any suggestion of Tibetan autonomy and blacklisting the Dalai Lama a dangerous "separatist".
7. For free Tibet
Beijing continues to be accused of political and religious repression in the region, but insists Tibetans enjoy extensive freedoms and that it has brought economic growth.
More than 150 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest against Beijing's presence in Tibet, most of them dying.