Invasions of the Gurkhas (1788-1792)

Jamphel Gyatso, the 8th Dalai Lama (1758 – 1804) was enthroned in 1762, at age five at the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Regents managed Tibet's administration during his minority. He ruled Tibet independently from 1784 to 1790, but later relied on regents for governance. He established Norbulingka Park and Summer Palace on the outskirts of Lhasa, which became a summer residence for future Dalai Lamas. During his tenure, Tibet faced invasions by Gurkhas (Nepal). Qing dynasty troops intervened, driving back the invaders and stabilizing the region.
1788-1789 The first Nepal-Tibet war was triggered primarily by trade disputes, including issues over a long-standing problem of low-quality coins manufactured by Nepal for Tibet and political tensions involving Tibetan interference in Nepali affairs. It began with Nepalese Gurkha troops invading Tibet through mountain passes like Kuti and Kerung. They captured key forts such as Chhochyang and Kuti by mid-1788 and fought battles against Tibetan forces. The first war ended with the Treaty of Kerung in June 1789, where Tibet agreed to pay an annual tribute of Rs. 50,000 in silver to Nepal and returned some territories captured during the conflict. The Nepalese Army plundered Tibet, which was a Qing protectorate. The Tibetans sought military help from the Chinese Emperor as well as local Nepalese rulers to resist the invasion. 
1791-1792 The second Nepal-Tibet war took place as a continuation after Tibet stopped paying tribute and tensions flared again. The Qing dynasty, which had a protectorate role over Tibet, intervened militarily with a large force of Manchu, Mongol, and Tibetan troops under General Fuk'anggan. The Qing army repelled the Nepalese troops, pushed them back across the Himalayas, and pursued them into Nepalese territory. The war ended with the Treaty of Betrawati in 1792. Nepal agreed to become a tributary to the Qing emperor and pay tribute every five years, recognizing Qing suzerainty.