In the Himalayas the Eocene deformation phase is called the Eohimalayan event. By means of a forward and backward balanced cross section along a classical traverse through the Tethyan Himalaya we constrain Eohimalayan SW vergent folding and SW directed thrusting in a belt above a basal thrust at 10 km depth. This thrust is located at the structural position of the Southern Tibetan Detachment System with a NE directed normal sense displacement suggesting Miocene reactivation of a major Eocene contractional fault. Stepwise palinspastic restoration demonstrates that this Eocene contractional fault has been subsequently openly folded due to southwestward propagation of the Himalayan Thrust System.