Bhutan has an interesting History that educates and inspires its students. Barely touched by any European Colonialism, It has entered the modern times at its own pace and, to a large degree, on its own terms. This page studies, explores and debates the History of Bhutan. It attempts to explore the History of Bhutan from a peace perspective. Among others, it focuses and records the events where Bhutanese lived in fraternity (and sorority) peace and harmony with each other and the nature. It refers to the historical figures who stood for and promoted noble values such as Humanism, Tolerance and Respect for Nature. You can join our profound debates on the History of Bhutan by sharing your articles, research papers, podcasts and video clips on relevant subjects on this Website.
Chronology of the History of Bhutan
Until 17th Century Bhutan existed as a patchwork of minor warring fiefdoms, when the area was unified by the Tibetan lama and military leader Ngawang Namgyal, who had fled religious persecution in Tibet. To defend the country against intermittent Tibetan forays, Namgyal built a network of impregnable dzongs or fortresses, and promulgated the Tsa Yig, a code of law that helped to bring local lords under centralized control. Many such dzong still exist and are active centers of religion and district administration.
1627 Portuguese Jesuits Estêvão Cacella and João Cabral were the first recorded Europeans to visit Bhutan on their way to Tibet. They met Ngawang Namgyal, presented him with firearms, gunpowder and a telescope, and offered him their services in the war against Tibet, but the Zhabdrung declined the offer. After a stay of nearly eight months Cacella wrote a long letter from the Chagri Monastery reporting on his travels. This is a rare extant report of the Shabdrung.
1651 Ngawang Namgyal died in 1651, his passing was kept secret for 54 years. After a period of consolidation, Bhutan lapsed into internal conflict.
1711 Bhutan went to war against the Mughal Empire and its Subedars, who restored Koch Bihar in the south.
1714 Chaos and Tibetan attack.
18th Century Bhutan invaded and occupied the kingdom of Cooch Behar to the south.
1772 Cooch Behar appealed to the British East India Company which assisted them in ousting the Bhutanese.
1774 The East India Company armies attacked Bhutan. A peace treaty was signed in which Bhutan agreed to retreat to its pre-1730 borders. However, the peace was tenuous, and border skirmishes with the British were to continue for the next hundred years.
1864-65 Duar War between the British India and Bhutan a confrontation for control of the Bengal Duars.
11 November 1865 Treaty of Sinchula. Bhutan lost part of its sovereign territory, and forced cession of formerly occupied territories. It ceded territories in the Assam Duars and Bengal Duars, as well as the 83 km² of territory of Dewangiri in southeastern Bhutan, in return for an annual subsidy of 50,000 rupees. The Treaty of Sinchula stood until 1910.
1870s Power struggles between the rival valleys of Paro and Tongsa led to civil war in Bhutan, eventually leading to the ascendancy of Ugyen Wangchuck, the ponlop (governor) of Tongsa.
1882-85 From his power base in central Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck defeated his political enemies and united the country following several civil wars and rebellions.
Earlier 1904 Ugyen Wangchuck, then 12th Trongsa Penlop, joined the Younghusband Expedition to Tibet in 1904, as a mediator between Britain and Tibet.
1906 Ugyen Wangchuck travelled to Kolkata to meet the Prince of Wales. Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was not yet formally the King, but the role he took clearly suggests that he was indeed the ruler for all practical purpose for many years before he was crowned King in 1907.
1907 Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously chosen as the hereditary king of the country by an assembly of leading Buddhist monks, government officials, and heads of important families. John Claude White, British Political Agent in Bhutan, took photographs of the ceremony. The British government promptly recognized the new monarchy.
Until 1908 British Political Officer for Bhutan was Sir John Claude White.
1908 Sir John Claude White was succeeded by Charles Alfred Bell (1870–1945). John Claude White developed a deep respect for King Ugyen Wangchuck, and wrote: “I have never met a native I liked and respected more than I do Sir Ugyen. He was upright, honest, open and straightforward.” White also took the photographs at the King’s 1907 coronation.
1911 Ugyen Wangchuck went to Delhi to meet King George V (1865–1936), who was the Prince of Wales when they met earlier in 1906 in Kolkata, the seat of Viceroy of India.
1910 Bhutan signed the Treaty of Punakha, a subsidiary alliance which gave the British control of Bhutan’s foreign affairs and meant that Bhutan was treated as an Indian princely state. This had little real effect, given Bhutan’s historical reticence, and also did not appear to affect Bhutan’s traditional relations with Tibet. The Treaty of Punakha, effective until 1947. His Majesty was exquisitely farsighted in updating the treaty of 1865 in 1910, with an additional clause. The new clause was that Bhutan would consult British India in its dealing with third countries. The clause was drawn up in the context of the British suspicion about the influence of the Chinese and Russians in Tibet, and beyond.
15 August 1947 Bhutan became one of the first countries to recognize India’s independence.
8 August 1949 A treaty similar to that of 1910, in which Britain had gained power over Bhutan’s foreign relations, was signed with the newly independent India.
17 December 1907–1926 Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck Drok Gyalpo or King of Bhutan.
17 December 1907 Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was elected unanimously by the representatives of the people, the officials and the clergy and enthroned as the first hereditary King of Bhutan in Punakha Dzong. A legal document on the institution of monarchy was attested with signet-rings and thumbprints, on that day. British political officer, Sir Claude White (1853–1918), represented the British government at the enthronement ceremony. Since that day, 17 December is celebrated as the National Day of Bhutan.
1926 Aged 64, King Ugyen died in Phodrang Thinley Rabten. The Crown Prince Jigme Wangchuck was then about 23.
21 August 1926- 30 March 1952 Jigme Wangchuck Drok Gyalpo or King of Bhutan.Under his reign, Bhutan continued to maintain almost complete isolation from the outside world, maintaining only limited relations with the British Raj in India. He was succeeded by his son, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
1951 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Crown Prince, married Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck (born 1930), the daughter of Gongzim (Lord Chamberlain) Sonam Topgay Dorji (1896–1953). The royal wedding was held in Paro Garden Palace.
30 March 1952-21 July 1972 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck king of Bhutan. (Father of Modern Bhutan).
27 October 1952 Coronation of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
1953 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck established the country’s legislature – a 130-member National Assembly – to promote a more democratic form of governance. Wangchuck, realizing that hitherto the decision of the King and that of the high officials were binding on the country, wanted them to be shared. For the first time elders from different gewogs were invited to voice their concerns, ideas and solutions for the future of this country. At the same time, it was a forum for Wangchuck to share his larger vision for Bhutan in the years to come. After the National Assembly was established, the king drafted and devised a series of progressive laws for the Kingdom. The King brought out a holistic set of laws covering fundamental aspects of Bhutanese life such as land, livestock, marriage, inheritance, property and so forth.
1954 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck visited India.
1955 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck intensified the conversion of commodity taxes to cash taxes by assessing land for cash taxation. Cash taxes were nominal, but moving from commodity taxes to cash taxes was a radical step at that time.
September 1958 Nehru visited Bhutan.
1959 The Thrimzhung Chenmo (Supreme Law) was passed by the National Assembly. The laws are very organic, coherently interrelated within themselves and to the evolving reality and manifested his vision of a law-based society.
1961-66 1st Five-year Plan.
1962 Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan in 1962 to obtain international aid.
1963 Royal Bhutan Army was formally established.
1965 Jigme Dorji Wangchuck set up a Royal Advisory Council.
1966 First in the region, Manas Sanctuary was established. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was an Environmentalist.
1966-71 2nd Five Year Plan.
1968 Royal Bhutan Army was formally established.
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck formed a Cabinet. He decided to open the judiciary, first with the appointment of Thrimpons (judges) in districts, and then finally to the High Court.
1970 Ugyen Wangchuck Academy at Satsham Choten in Paro, was established.
1971 Bhutan was admitted to the United Nations, having held observer status for three years. The 125th to join.
Bhutan was the second country after India to recognize Bangladesh. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck wanted to strike an economic relationship with Bangladesh.
June 16, 1972 Jigme Singye Wangchuck was made the Trongsa Penlop bestowing on him directly the saffron scarf or namza.
24 July 1972-9 December 2006 Jigme Singye Wangchuck became king (Drok Gyalpo). Remarkable rule of 34 years. A modernizer and Development Practioner. He is also an Environmentalist.
June 2, 1974 In his Coronation Address on June 2, 1974, Jigme Singye stressed the need “to attain self-reliance and preserve Bhutan’s sovereignty and independence.”
1971-76 Third Five Year Plan
1976-81 Fourth Five Year Plan
1981-86 Fifth Five Year Plan
1970s Immediate aims for rural households unfolded in terms of intensive valley projects, cash crops cultivation, especially potatoes – irrigation, and resettlement. Enhancing the income and livelihood of the rural people were the main focus of the 3rd and 4th FYPs.
1971 Zo rigpa was enhanced by Wangchuck when he opened the Kawajangsa Institution of Zorig (now known as National Institute for Zorig Chusum).
1972 Soon after he acceded to the throne, Jigme Singye launched the Trashigang and Tsirang Intensive Valley Development Projects. These projects were part of a larger vision of food self-sufficiency and income generation. These projects were also sites of experimental and participatory decision making. It led to the formation of Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogchungs (DYTs), which brought the chimis, gups and officials to prepare plans together.
By 1981 Trashigang and Tsirang had fully functional DYTs.
1986 A Kasho (royal decree) issued by King Jigme Singye directed the Planning Commission to ensure that “the basis for the evaluation of the achievements of the Sixth Plan is to see whether the people enjoy happiness and comfort”. The social and economic indicators point towards sub-ordinate goals, not ultimate goals which was to be measured from a holistic, GNH point of view. Happiness and contentment became the ultimate yardstick of progress. Remarkable Improvement in Social, Human and Economic indicators happened as a result. In the 34 years of Wangchuck’s reign, the ten traditional cultural sciences (rignas) received considerable priority. Wangchuck cherished the importance of both the intangible and tangible aspects of Bhutanese culture.
1981-86 Wangchuck envisioned different planning system for the 5th FYP (1981–86) emphasizing decentralization. New dzongdags were appointed in all the 18 districts, with responsibilities of managing public finances and coordinating district development plans, in their capacities as chairmen of DYTs. Dzongdags were delegated broad powers to make decisions at the local level in conjunction with gups and chimis. Wangchuck’s strengthening of the governmental sectors went hand in hand with strengthening local bodies like Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchung (DYT) that Wangchuck founded in 1981, and the Gewog Yargye Tshogchung (GYT) he founded in 1991. He increasingly devolved authority on them.
1972-2006 Jigme Singye Wangchuck diversified and extended Bhtuan’s Diplomatics relations with the International Community.
1995 The National Legal Course was introduced.the Penal Code to aid the judges in the proper interpretation of laws and effective adjudication came in.
1997 An Institution of Culture promotion strated in Tashi Yangtse.
2001 The Folk Heritage Museum started by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck in Kawajangsa, Thimphu drew attention to the heritage of lay people’s sustainable products and their lifestyle.
The first Textile Museum opened by Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck drew attention to the weaving skills of Bhutan. Skilled artisans – painters, statue-makers, carpenters and masons proliferated in Wangchuck’s reign not only because of these new institutions, but also by receiving on the job training in many new temples and dzongs constructed in the country.
A somewhat Anglo-Saxon based Civil and Criminal Procedure Code introduced.During Wangchuck’s 34-year reign, some 87 laws were enacted by the National Assembly.
25 June, 2002 The Crown Prince, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was awarded the Red Scarf by his father.
31 October 2004 Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was installed as the 16th Trongsa Penlop in Trongsa Dzong. The institution of the Trongsa Penlop, started by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647, signifies the true heritage to the Bhutanese Throne and the investiture ceremony of the Trongsa Penlop is the formal declaration of this status of the Crown Prince.
December 2005 The King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced his intention to abdicate in his son’s favor in 2008, and that he would begin handing over responsibility to him immediately.
9 December 2006 Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne in favor of his son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
9 December 2006-Till Present Times Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Drog Gyalpo, King.
February 2007 The King signed a new treaty of friendship with India, replacing the treaty of 1949.
18 July 2008 The Constitution of Bhutan was adopted by the first elected parliament.
6 November 2008 A public coronation ceremony was held for Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in an auspicious year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan. The coronation ceremony comprised an ancient and colorful ritual, attended by thousands of foreign dignitaries, including the then-President of India, Pratibha Patil.
March 2009 The King’s first landmark project after his formal coronation was launching the National Cadastral Resurvey aimed at resolving long-standing land issues of excess land that affects every Bhutanese household. A variation of land reform focuses on improving the lives of people living in remote and difficult areas, with the Rehabilitation Project.
Friday, 20 May 2011 As he opened the session of parliament, the King announced his engagement to Jetsun Pema, born in Thimphu on 4 June 1990.
June 2011 The Pilot Rehabilitation Project at Khinadang in Pemagatshel was initiated.
13 October 2011 Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema were married. The royal wedding was Bhutan’s largest media event in history. The royal wedding ceremony was held in Punakha followed by formal visits to different parts of the country. During the ceremony the King also received the Crown of the Druk Gyaltsuen (Queen) from the most sacred Machhen temple of the Dzong and bestowed it on Jetsun Pema, formally proclaiming her as Queen of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The wedding was held in traditional style with the “blessings of the guardian deities”.
28 October 2014 The pilot Rehabilitation Project at Khinadang in Pemagatshel was inaugurated by Prince Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The Project resettled people living in the more inaccessible areas of the country to the village, and provided them with basic amenities and services, as well as support in agriculture. The project saw tremendous success, and similar projects are in the pipeline in other parts of Bhutan.
