The article discusses the vassalage emergence and transformation in Europe with regard to different forms of feudal subordination in the Asian states. The author argues that there were similarities between these forms in Europe and Asia though they were more diverse in the East. He proposes a general typology of vassalage based on its similarities throughout the world as follows: subordination of lower nobles (vassals) to higher ones (lords and monarchs) expressed in the oath of fidelity, obligation or written agreement; duty of service (military, administrative, and/or aid, payments, tribute or taxes) by vassals to lords; land, other property or rights held by vassal from his lord and/or in exchange for his fidelity and service to the lord; identical understanding of the vassal – lord relations by both parties. Any other forms of relations excluding at least one of the above mentioned points cannot be defined as vassalage. The vassalage relationship did not emerge also in cases when both parties considered in it considered their relations differently. Thus Mongolia was a vassal to the Manchu Qing Dynasty, but Tibet was not. Tibet relation to the Qing Empire should be rather defined based on the “priest–patron” model.