After having Tibet unified into Yuan Dynasty in 13th century AD, the Yuan Empire began to provide supports to the regional governance by the Sakya lama and further strengthened the political administration over Tibet. In order to administer Tibet regional affairs, the Yuan Dynasty appointed in succession the Basiba, head lama of the Sakya sect, and other 14 Tibetan dignitaries the position of Imperial Preceptor and State Preceptor, honored them peerages, and bestowed them seals of authority and certificates of appointment. The picture above shows the jade seal bestowed by emperor of Yuan to the Sangyey Pal, one of the head lamas of the Sakya sect. The word on the seal reads “The seal of the State Preceptor with the power of governance and law interpretation”. Sangyey Palwas promoted to Imperial Preceptor later on.

In the 57^th year of Qianlong period (AD 1792) when driving the invading Korgas out of Tibet and pacifying the turbulent borders, Emperor Qianlong decided to dedicate to rectify the administration system of Tibet, formulate the agenda for the rehabilitation from war and complete the regulation system in governing over Tibet. In the 58^th year of Qianlong period (AD 1793), The 29-Article Ordinance for the More Efficient Governing of Tibet came into being and was implemented by being translated into Tibetan. This 29-article Ordinance stipulated in a panoramic view the regulations and laws regarding political, judiciary and official system, military and trade issues, monastery management and financial audit and taxation system. It had become an important legal document by which the Qing Dynasty could exercise the complete sovereignty over Tibet and represented the Qing central government’s highest achievement in governing over Tibet.