Pema of Tsarong family (1892-1957)

Pema Dolkar was born in 1892 into the Tsarong family (tsha rong), which claims descent from Yutok Yonten Gonpo (g.yu thog yon tan mgon po), the legendary founder of the Tibetan medical tradition.

Her father was Wangchuk Gyelpo (dbang phyug rgyal po, 1866–1912), who served as general of U (dbus mda’ dpon), and cabinet minister, or kalon (bka’ blon), in the Tibetan government.

Her mother was Yangchen Dolma (dbyangs can sgrol ma, 1877–1919) of the Yutok family (yab gzhis g.yu thog), who were relatives of the Tenth Dalai Lama, Tsultrim Gyatso (ta la’i bla ma 10 tshul khrims rgya mtsho, 1816–1837).

Sources on her life include the memoirs of her younger sister, Rinchen Dolma (Mary) Taring (phreng ring rin chen sgrol ma, 1910–2000) and son, Dundul (George) Namgyel (bdud ‘dul rnam rgyal, 1920–2011), as well as accounts of explorers and British officers who visited the Tsarongs during their travels.

Pema Dolkar passed away on July 17, 1957, at Tsarong House, in the presence of her relatives.