The world in 749 AD — what happened that year

9 events the sources record for this year, grouped by region.

What happened

Geshu Han attacked the Tibetan Stone Fortress and took it. (Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Annals 舊唐書卷9 天寶8年)
Geshu Han defeated the Tibetans at Shibao Castle. (New Book of Tang (Xin Tangshu), Annals 新唐書卷005 睿宗·玄宗天寶8年6月)
In May 749, Geshu Han, after several days of attacks without taking a city, prepares to behead his aides Gao Xiuyan and Zhang Shouyou; the two ask for three days, and the city falls on the appointed day; they capture 400 Tubo elites, including Shiluoluo, but tens of thousands of Tang soldiers have died. (Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror) 권216 749년 항)

Great Archbishop Gyōki passes away. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第17 「二月丁酉。大僧正行基」)
The sovereign visits Tōdai-ji and faces north before the Rushana image; Minister of the Left Tachibana no Moroe, by imperial order, reports to the Buddha. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第17 「夏四月甲午朔。天皇幸」)
The crown prince accedes to the throne by abdication at the Daigoku-den (Kōken). (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第17 「秋七月甲午。皇太子受」)
The great deity of Hachiman gives an oracle and sets out toward the capital. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第17 「己酉。八幡大神託宣向」)
A negi (priest) of the Hachiman deity visits Tōdai-ji; the sovereign, the retired sovereign and the grand empress dowager also visit. Five thousand monks perform worship and sutra chanting. (Shoku Nihongi (Continued Chronicles of Japan) 續日本紀卷第17 「丁亥。八幡大神祢宜尼」)

Bishop Burchard of Würzburg and the priest Fulrad are sent to Pope Zacharias to consult him on royal power. The pope says it is better to call the one who holds real power king, and permits Pippin to be made king (Royal Frankish Annals ARF(Einhard판) a.749, Kurze 1895 p.9)