The treaty contained clauses that established diplomatic relations, delineated borders, and regulated trade between Ladakh and Tibet.
Ladakh, a kingdom nestled in the Himalayas, was strategically located along key trade routes connecting Tibet, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
[6] The treaty was mediated by the Qing dynasty of China, which was interested in maintaining stability along its western borders and ensuring Tibetan allegiance.
[1][page needed] The terms of the treaty were written in both Classical Tibetan and Ladakhi languages, with Qing mediation confirming the final agreement.
[1][page needed] The original text of the Treaty of Tingmosgang no longer survives, but its contents are summarized in the Ladakh Chronicles.
As regards the quality and value of presents brought for all ordinary Lamas, the matter is of no consequence, but to the Labrang Chhakdzot shall be given the following articles, viz: (a) Gold dust - the weight of 1 zho 10 times.
The country of Ngaress-khor-sum shall be given to the Omniscient Drukpa Lama, Mee-pham-wang-po, and in lieu thereof the Deywa Zhung wil give to the Ladak king three other districts (in Great Tibet).
of Monthser (i.e. Minsar) in Ngarees-khor-sum, that he may be independent there; and he sets aside its revenue for the purpose of meeting the expense involved in keeping up the sacrificial lights at Kang-ree (i.e. Kailas), and the Holy Lakes of Manasarwar and Rakas Tal.
To the eldest son - The countries now known as Ladak and Purig extending from Hanley on the east to the Zojila Pass on the west, and including Rudok and the Gogpo gold district.
[11][page needed] Historian Alastair Lamb described the border delineation from the treaty as imprecise, writing that there are "no means of determining exactly what line of frontier was contemplated in 1684" and that it is "singularly deficient in precise geographical detail".
[11][page needed] The fee in the sixth clause was later paid by Desi Sangye Gyatso to Mi-'pham dBaii-po in the form of three estates in Tibet sometime between the autumn of 1684 and 1685.