The Treasury of Lives

Trimalo Triteng was born into the Dro ('bro) clan, an influential family during the imperial period, probably in the mid-seventh century. Trimalo was the consort of the Emperor Manglon Mangtsen (khri mang slon mang btsan, r. 663-676), the grandson of Songtsen Gampo (srong btsan sgam po, r. c. 629-650). Like his grandfather, Manglon Mangsten is remembered for his use of military force during border-expansion efforts. She was widowed when Manglon Mangtsen died in 676. In the same year, her son, the emperor Tri Dusong (khri 'dus srong, 676-704) was born.

During the reign of Manglon Mangtsen, the notorious Gar (mgar) clan was in control of imperial affairs, the emperor being largely a figurehead. Tri Dusong, who at the time of his father's death was too young to rule, was likewise regarded as emperor in name only, as the Gar were the actual rulers of civil and military affairs. With Tri Dusong maturing into adulthood, Trimalo helped arrange the overthrow of the Gar clan. While Gar Tridring (mgar khri 'bring, 7th century), a military general, was returning from victory against the Chinese, Tri Dusong and his army attacked and defeated Gar and his supporters. Many supporters of Gar were executed, while others managed to find refuge in China.

Trimalo represented the empire during the times when Tri Dusong was in battle. When Tri Dusong died in 704, Trimalo continued to involve herself in imperial affairs, acting as regent. Tri Dusong had two sons. The older son, Lha Belpo (lha bal po, 8th century), was deposed, possibly because he was mentally unfit to rule. The younger son, who would later be enthroned as Tri Detsuktsen (khri lde gtsug btsan, 712-755), was one year old at the time, thus too young to rule. Trimalo continued to fill the power vacuum, communicating with China and ultimately arranging the marriage between a Chinese princess named Jincheng Gongzhu, known also as Kimshang Kongcho (金成公主 kim shang kong co, d.739) and her grandson Tri Detsuktsen. 

The regent Trimalo ruled until 712, the year of her death. In that same year, Tri Detsuktsen was enthroned formally.

Learn more about the Women Initiative, an effort to add 100 new biographies of women by 2026.