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Prehistory
Arrival of Tantric Buddhism
Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche, is usually credited with bringing Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan, but two rare sites representing an earlier influence predate him. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Bhutan was founded and unified as a country by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the mid-1600s Lhengye Zhungtshog is a Dzongkha term In English it means Council of Ministers. List of Heads of Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan (1907-Present (Where a Prime Minister served more than a term the number of separate terms served is given in parentheses Lyonpo Jigme Yoser Thinley (born 1952) has been the Prime Minister of Bhutan since April 2008 The Je Khenpo ( formerly called the Dharma Raj by orientalists is the title given to the senior religious hierarch of Bhutan. The Parliament of Bhutan is a bicameral Parliament made up of an upper house the National Council and a lower house the National Assembly. The National Assembly is the elected Lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King The National Council is the Upper house of Bhutan 's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King and the National Bhutan, which first made moves to become democratic in 2007, has three official political parties, as well as others mainly in exile Elections in Bhutan gives information on Elections and election results in Bhutan. The general elections to the National Council of Bhutan, the Upper house of the new bicameral Parliament of Bhutan were held for the first time Bhutan held its first general election on March 24, 2008 for the National Assembly. Bhutan's Royal Court of Justice is the Supreme court of Bhutan. Bhutan comprises twenty Districts ( dzongkhag, both singular and plural) Bhutan has Diplomatic relations with 21 states In 1971 sponsored by India Bhutan began to develop its foreign relations by joining the Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Padmasambhava () The Lotus Born, is said to have transmitted Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet in the 8th century. Vajrayana Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayana, Mantranaya, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and Kyichu in Paro and Jambey in Bumthang were built in 659 CE, a century or so ahead before Guru Rimpoche's arrival, by the quasi-legendary King of Tibet Songtsen Gampo. Kyichu Lhakhang or Kyerchu Temple is a Buddhist temple in Paro District in Bhutan. Paro ( Dzongkha: dz སྤ་རོ་རྫོང་ཁག is the name of a district ( Bumthang is one of the 20 Dzongkhag (districts comprising Bhutan. Songtsän Gampo ( Tibetan: སྲོང་བཙན་སྒམ་པོ་ Wylie: Srong-btsan
In the 8th century the Indian Guru Padmasambhava arrived in Bhutan, bringing Tantric Buddhism (which would evolve into Tibetan Buddhism over the next 400 years). The 8th century is the period from 701 to 800 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Padmasambhava () The Lotus Born, is said to have transmitted Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet in the 8th century. Vajrayana Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayana, Mantranaya, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including He established a number of temples and monasteries, including the famous Taktshang monastery built high on a cliff face above the Paro valley and Kurjey Lhakhang in Bumthang. Taktshang is the most famous of monasteries in Bhutan. It hangs on a cliff at 3120 metres (10200 feet some 700 meters (2300 feet above the bottom of Paro ( Dzongkha: dz སྤ་རོ་རྫོང་ཁག is the name of a district ( Kurjey Lhakang, also known as Kurjey Monastery, is located in the Bumthang valley in the Bumthang district of Bhutan. Bumthang is one of the 20 Dzongkhag (districts comprising Bhutan.
Bhutan emerges as a country
Since at least the 10th century, Bhutan has always remained free from foreign control[1]—a distinction which can be claimed by few other countries.
Until the early 1600s, Bhutan existed as a patchwork of minor warring fiefdoms until unified by the Tibetan lama and military leader Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Under the system of Feudalism, a fiefdom, fief, feud, feoff, or fee, often consisted of inheritable lands or revenue-producing Lama ( is a title for a Tibetan teacher Shabdrung (also Zhabdrung;) which literaly means "before the feet of" was a title used when refering to or addressing great lamas in Tibet particularly those who Escaping political foes in Tibet he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 and initiated a program of fortification and military consolidation, overseeing the construction of impressive dzongs or fortresses such as Simtokha Dzong which guards the entrance to Thimphu valley. Dzong architecture (from Tibetan རྫོང་ Wylie rDzong) is a distinctive type of fortress architecture found in the former and present Thimphu ( is the Capital of Bhutan, and also the name of the surrounding valley and Dzongkhag An insightful leader, he used cultural symbols as well as military force to establish a Bhutanese national identity, including the initiation of a number of sacred dances to be performed in the annual tsechu festivals. Tsechu (literally "day ten" are annual religious Bhutanese festivals held in each district or Dzongkhag of Bhutan on the tenth day of a month of the
The Shabdrung also established the dual system of government by which control of the country was shared between a spiritual leader (the Je Khempo) and an administrative leader (the Desi Druk), a policy which exists in modified form to this day. The Je Khenpo ( formerly called the Dharma Raj by orientalists is the title given to the senior religious hierarch of Bhutan. A policy is a deliberate plan of action to guide decisions and achieve rational outcome(s
After the Shabdrung's death in fighting, the civil war eroded the power of the shabdrung for the next 200 years until 1885, when the Penlop of Trongsa, Ugyen Wangchuck gained an upper hand over rival forces and sought to cultivate ties with the British in India. Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Trongsa, previously Tongsa, is located in Trongsa District, Bhutan. Ugyen Wangchuck (or Deb Nagpo) (1861&ndash1926 was the first king of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926
Treaties with Britain
Although subject to periodic Tibetan invasions from the north, Bhutan has retained continuous autonomy since its founding by the Shabdrung. Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European In the early 1700s, the Bhutanese invaded the kingdom of Cooch Behar to the south, placing it under Bhutanese suzerainty. Cooch Behar (Bengali: কোচবিহার Rajbongshi/Kamatapuri: কোচবিহার is a district of the state of West Bengal, India, as well as In 1772 the Cooch Behari appealed to the British East India Company who joined with the Behari in driving the Bhutanese out and attacking Bhutan itself in 1774. Year 1772 ( MDCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or Year 1774 ( MDCCLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a A peace treaty was concluded in which Bhutan pulled back to its pre-1730 borders. The peace was not to hold, however, and border conflicts with the British were to continue for the next hundred years including the Duar War (1864-1865), fought over control of the Bengal Duars. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Duar War was a war fought between British India and Bhutan in 1864 – 1865. Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Etymology and ethnology The exact origin of the word Bangla or Bengal is unknown though it is believed to be derived from the Dravidian-speaking tribe Bang
Civil wars
The 1870s and 1880s were marked by civil war between the rival power centers of Paro and Trongsa valleys. Paro ( Dzongkha: dz སྤ་རོ་རྫོང་ཁག is the name of a district ( Trongsa, previously Tongsa, is located in Trongsa District, Bhutan. In 1885 Ugyen Wangchuck, the penlop (governor) of Trongsa, gained control of the country and ended the civil war, aided by support from the British (the penlop of Paro being aligned with the Tibetans). Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Ugyen Wangchuck (or Deb Nagpo) (1861&ndash1926 was the first king of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926 Penlop is a Dzongkha term which can be roughly translated as governor
Establishment of the monarchy
Under British influence a monarchy was formally established on December 17th, 1907 with Ugyen Wangchuck as the First King of Bhutan. A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or Events 546 - Gothic War (535–554: The Ostrogoths of King Totila Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Ugyen Wangchuck (or Deb Nagpo) (1861&ndash1926 was the first king of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926 This day is celebrated today as the National Day of Bhutan. Three years later a treaty was signed whereby the country became a British protectorate. The monarchy initially had to work to gain legitimacy against the machinations of their opponents who promoted the reincarnation of the Shabdrung as the rightful ruler of Bhutan. Shabdrung (also Zhabdrung;) which literaly means "before the feet of" was a title used when refering to or addressing great lamas in Tibet particularly those who The issue came to a head in 1931 when the Shabdrung made an appeal to Mahatma Gandhi to terminate the Wangchuck dynasty, after which the Shabdrung was assassinated by pro-royalty agents. Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( Gujarati: મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી moɦən̪d̪äs kəɾəmʧən̪d̪ gän̪d̪ʱi (2 October 1869 – 30 January
End of absolute rule
Over the objections of the National Assembly, both the third and fourth kings of Bhutan promoted the elimination of their own absolute powers. Beginning in 1969 and lasting until his death in 1972, the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, ended his veto power over the National Assembly. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ( May 2, 1928 &ndash July 21, 1972) was the third Dragon King of Bhutan. After his death, the National Assembly gave back the veto power to Jigme Sinye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, who eventually continued his father's policy of limited government and convinced the assembly in 1998 to formally end the absolute veto power of the king, arguing that it was better for the future of the country that his powers be circumscribed by theirs. Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born November 11, 1955) was the fourth Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006 Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) In December 2005, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced that he would abdicate in 2008 to coincide with the first national election and introduction of Bhutan's new constitution. However, a year later he announced his immediate abdication and handed power over to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (who was 26 at the time).
Emergence from isolation
Under the direction of Bhutan's third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Bhutan adopted a policy of gradual exposure to the outside world. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ( May 2, 1928 &ndash July 21, 1972) was the third Dragon King of Bhutan. Bhutan gained United Nations recognition as a sovereign country in 1971. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar.
Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king in the line, ascended to the throne in 1972 at age 17 upon the death of his father. Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born November 11, 1955) was the fourth Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006 Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. His coronation in June 1974 was the occasion for inviting a select number of diplomats and guests from around the world to the isolated kingdom, marking the beginning of regular (if modest) interaction with outside visitors. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar.
The fourth king has since shown great skill in steering his country towards 21st century modernity while preserving the distinctive Bhutanese culture with its roots in the 17th century. Modernity is a term that refers to the Modern era. It is distinct from Modernism, and in different contexts refers to cultural and intellectual movements of the He is best known in the West for his goal of seeking the highest Gross National Happiness for his country, rather than the more conventional Gross National Product. Gross National Happiness (GNH is an attempt to define Quality of life in more holistic and psychological terms than Gross National Product.
Current issues
Assamese separatists
Several guerrilla groups seeking to establish an independent Assamese state in northeast India have set up guerrilla bases in the forests of southern Bhutan from which they launch cross-border attacks on targets in Assam. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The largest guerrilla group is ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom). The United Liberation Front of Asom is a militant group from Assam, among many other such groups in North-East India. Negotiations aimed at removing them peacefully from these bases failed in the spring of 2003. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Bhutan is faced with the prospect of having to strengthen its token army force to obtain an eviction of the guerrillas.
Military action against Assamese separatists December 2003
On 15 December 2003 the Royal Bhutan Army began military operations against guerrilla camps in southern Bhutan, in coordination with Indian armed forces who lined the border to the south to prevent the guerrillas from dispersing back into Assam. Events 533 - Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Royal Bhutan Army (RBA formed in 1950, is the all-volunteer Army of the Kingdom of Bhutan. News sources indicated that of the 30 camps that were target, 13 were controlled by ULFA, 12 camps by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), and 5 camps controlled by the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO)[1]. The National Democratic Front of Bodoland, also known as NDFB or the Bodo Security Force, is a separatist movement that seeks to obtain a sovereign Bodoland By January, government news reports indicated the guerillas had been routed from their bases.
"The People in the Camps"
In 1988 Bhutan was reported to have evicted over 100,000 Nepali-speaking residents (Bhutanese reports say about 5000) from districts in southern Bhutan, creating a large refugee community that is now being detained in seven temporary United Nations refugee camps in Nepal and Sikkim. The actual numbers are difficult to establish, as many of those in the camps are reported to be holding forged identity papers, and impoverishhed Nepalese citizens along the border claimed to be refugees to receive aid. The Bhutanese Government states that only about 5000 initially left the country. After years of negotiations between Nepal and Bhutan, in 2000 Bhutan agreed in principle to allow certain classes of the refugees to return to Bhutan. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. However the situation is at a standstill, after violence was committed on Bhutanese officials by the very people they were trying to help, the people in the camps. Significant unrest is now reported to be fermenting in the camps, especially as the United Nations terminates a number of educational and welfare programmes in an effort to force Bhutan and Nepal to come to terms.
The Shabdrung
In early 2007, reports alleged that the current Shabdrung, Pema Namgyel, who is a small child, has been held under house arrest in Bhutan along with his parents since 2005. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Shabdrung (also Zhabdrung;) which literaly means "before the feet of" was a title used when refering to or addressing great lamas in Tibet particularly those who The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [2] This is only an alleged claim.
Preparing for formalized democracy
Draft of the Constitution distributed March 2005
On March 26, 2005, "an auspicious day when the stars and elements converge favourably to create an environment of harmony and success"[1], the king and government distribute a draft of the country's first Constitution, requesting that every citizen review it. A new house of parliament, the National Council, is chartered consisting of 20 elected representatives from each of the dzonghags along with 5 distinguished persons selected by the King. The National Council would be paired with the other already existing house, the National Assembly.
Per the Constitution, the monarchy is given a leadership role in setting the direction for the government as long as the King shall demonstrate his commitment and ability to safeguard the interests of the kingdom and its people.
A new King -- Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck -- the fifth Druk Gyalpo
On December 15th, 2006, the fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, abdicated all of his powers as King to his son, Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, with a specific intention to prepare the young King for the country's transformation to a full-fledged, democratic form of government due to occur in 2008. Druk (འབྲུག་ is the Thunder Dragon of Bhutanese mythology
The previous King's abdication in favour of his son was originally set to occur in 2008 as well, but there was an apparent concern that the new King should have hands-on experience as the nation's leader before presiding over a transformation in the country's form of government. According to the national newspaper, the Kuensel, the previous King stated to his cabinet that "as long as he himself continued to be King, the Crown Prince would not gain the actual experience of dealing with issues and carrying out the responsibilities of a head of state. With parliamentary democracy to be established in 2008, there was much to be done; so it was necessary that he gained this valuable experience. "
The fourth Druk Gyalpo further "explained that Bhutan could not hope for a better time for such an important transition. Today, the country enjoys peace and stability, and its security and sovereignty is ensured. After phenomenal development and progress, the country is closer than ever to the goal of economic self reliance. Bhutan’s relations with its closest neighbour and friend, India, has reached new heights. International organisations and bilateral development partners are ready to support Bhutan’s development efforts and political transformation. "
External links
- Bhutan 2008 2008 and beyond - a collection of news and views
- History of Bhutan, from Keys to Bhutan, History in brief, Prehistory, Introduction of Buddhism, The Age of the Shabdrung, etc. . .
- Author: Ardussi, John ; Title: Formation of the State of Bhutan ('Brug gzhung) in the 17th Century and its Tibetan Antecedents in Journal of Bhutan Studies, Vol 11 2004, Centre for Bhutan Studies, Thimphu. [3],[4], [5]
- History of Bhutan, from the 1997 Vienna exhibition sponsored by the Austrian Federal Ministry for Education
- Profile of Bhutanese Kings
- History of Bhutan - Offers a history of Bhutan from the 9th Century to the present.
- Rulers.org — Bhutan List of rulers for Bhutan
- Bhutan through 100 years 1907 to 2007 - a brief history
See also
- History of Asia
- History of present-day nations and states. The history of Asia can be seen as the collective history of several distinct peripheral coastal regions East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East This is a list of articles on the History of contemporary countries states and dependencies
- History of South Asia
- Kings of Bhutan
References
- ^ Rose, Leo E. The term South Asia usually refers to the political entities of the Sub- Himalayan region - namely Republic of India, Pakistan, Bhutan was founded and unified as a country by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the mid-1600s (1977), The Politics of Bhutan, p 24
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