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History of Bhutan
 Being
a landlocked country, the history of Bhutan has always been
influenced by its geography. The known history of Bhutan begins
with the legends of the visit of Padma Sambhava, believed to
have come to Bhutan from Tibet in 747
AD.
Guru Padma Sambhava is known to be the founder
of Buddhism in the country. The Nyingmapa sect, literally which
means ' The old Sect' of Himalayan Buddhism was founded by Padma
Sambhva. The turmoil in Tibet and related migration to Bhutan
started first in the 836-842 AD. This lead to several rival
sects challenging the authority of the Nyingmapa sect.
Although the natural frontiers of Bhutan kept outsiders away,
the country was not unified till the 17th century. There were
a number of independent principalities, each associated with
the major ethnic and religious groups who had settled in the
central valleys after migrations from the north. The descendants
of the migrants today form the largest part of the population
in Bhutan.
 By
the 14th century a number of families emerged in the region
who owed their position to religious prestige. The best known
among them are the descendent of the saints of Nyingmapa sect.
In Tibet on the other hand, the Yellow Hat Gelugpa sect, headed
by the Dalai Lama, had extended its power as far as the Ralung
Monastery near Lhasa. Ngawang Namgyal, a drukpa sect lama had
to take refuge to Bhutan in 1616. Soon Ngawang Namgyal ensured
support from families of his own sect and went on to build a
series of Dzong (monastery castle) throughout the country. These
Dzongs became the center of religious and civil authority and
remains a major symbol of Bhutanese culture and tradition till
today.
Ngawang Namgyal won victory over the Tibetans
in 1639 and assumed the title of Shabdung. He unified the kingdom
and established a dual theocratic system of government with
himself as the first Shobdung Rimpoche. He also established
an intricate and comprehensive system of governance in the country.
By the time of his death in 1651, the whole of western Bhutan
was united under his authority. Within the next few years, more
parts of Bhutan was unified. During the rule of Ngawang Namgyal
there were several unsuccessful invasion attempts from Tibet
by the King of Tibet as well as Mongol leaders. This also cemented
the need for uniting the country against a common enemy.
 Death
of Ngawang Namgyal lead to chaos in the country, although a
new Shabdung was choosen, the power of the central authority
was vastly diluted. During the coming years there were wars
fought with the Bhitish and the Cooch kings of Coochbehar. But
the Bhutanese Border remained broadly unchanged.
During the early part of the 20th century the
power balance in the country was divided with the Penlop of
Paro and Tongsa having the strongest political clout in the
country. During the expedition of Younghusbend to Tibet, the
Penlop of Tongsa, Ugyen Wangchuck, came out in its support and
thus came closer to the British. Later Ugyen Wangchuck was appointed
by civil and monastic representatives the hereditary monarch
of Bhutan, with the title Druk Gyalpo, Precious Ruler of the
Dragon People. Ugyen Wangchuck was succedded by his son Jigme
Wangchuck in 1926 who ruled until his death in 1952. The next
monarch of the country was Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who ruled the
country between 1952 and 1972. Since his death his son Jigme
Singye Wangchuck is ruling the country till date. |
