History History

The territory of present-day Bhutan has been inhabited since that time by nomadic shepherds who migrate seasonally between valleys and mountain pastures. The tools, weapons and megaliths found during archaeological excavations attest to this early human presence.

This tribe practiced the Bön, an animist tradition, which was the main religion for a long time before the introduction of Buddhism.

Known as Guru Rinpoche, "the precious master", the Indian Padmasambhava travelled to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism. He is the founder of the Nyingmapa school, the oldest of the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

In the following centuries, many Tibetan monks, persecuted, took refuge in Bhutan. The country then witnessed clashes between Buddhist schools, the Kagyupas and the Nyingmapas. After the victory in 1220 of the lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, the Drukpa school flourished in Bhutan between the 13th and ^{XVIe siècle.} The territory was then a conglomerate of small fiefdoms, without any political unity.

Fleeing political enemies in Tibet, the monk Ngawang Namgyal appoints himself as the religious leader of Bhutan, under the title of Shabdrung Rinpoche. It is he who will repel the attacks of the Tibetan forces, unify the country under the name of "Druk Yul", the country of the Thunder Dragon, and launch a massive program of construction of fortresses, the dzongs.

In 1772, Bhutan invaded the neighbouring kingdom of Cooch Behar and took its king hostage. In retaliation, the English East India Company sent troops to repel the Bhutanese soldiers. On 25 April 1774, a treaty was signed between the two countries, re-establishing the borders that had existed before the conflict.

Numerous archives and historical documents about Bhutan were engulfed in flames during the fire that ravaged the Punakha dzong library, one of the oldest in the country.

Great Britain takes control of the Duars, an area in southern Bhutan. The war ends with the signing of the Treaty of Sinchula: the Bhutanese abandon the Duars, which greatly reduces the territory of Bhutan, in exchange for an annual sum of money paid by Great Britain in compensation.

With the support of the British, Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously elected as the first hereditary ruler of Bhutan, known as Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King"). Unified around a central power, the country enters an era of stability and peace: trade develops, as well as transport and communications.

By this, Bhutan leaves the control of its external relations to Great Britain.

The^2nd Druk Gyalpo continued his father's work by emphasizing the modernization of the state and launching major construction projects for schools, clinics and roads.

His son, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 24, becomes the ^3rd Druk Gyalpo. He is regarded as the father of modern Bhutan, for whom he will implement profound political, social and economic reforms.

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck establishes the Tshogdu, a 130-member National Assembly, enabling a democratic system of government.

The serfs are emancipated and given land.

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck continues to reform the government by creating a council of ministers and giving up his veto power over the decisions of the Tshogdu.

Bhutan, which had hitherto remained apart from the rest of the world, was recognized as a sovereign country and became a member of the United Nations. It joined the Non-Aligned Movement in 1973.

After the death of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, his son, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, aged only 16, acceded to the throne.

According to this law, only minorities who arrived before 1958 are eligible for Bhutanese citizenship. 108,000 Lhotsampas, a community of Nepalese origin and mostly Hindus who have lived in Bhutan since the end of the 19th century, are forced to flee Bhutan.

Under the name of Driglam Namzha, this code imposes the wearing of traditional Bhutanese clothing in public (go for men and kira for women).

Jigme Singye Wangchuck delegates his executive power to a council of ministers elected by secret ballot.

Bhutan's first television channel, the Bhutan Broadcasting Service, is officially launched, as is the Internet.

With this law prohibiting tobacco trade throughout the country, Bhutan becomes the ^first non-smoking country in the world.

Eager to confront his son with the exercise of power before the great political upheaval foreseen, Jigme Singye Wangchuck hands over the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who becomes, at the age of 26, the 5th Druk Gyalpo.

Bhutanese are going to the polls for the first time to elect members of Parliament, consisting of a National Council and a National Assembly. Jigme Thinley, leader of the Righteous Party of Bhutan, becomes Prime Minister.

Bhutan adopts its Constitution which transforms the absolute monarchy into a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy.

For the ^second time, Bhutanese were called to the polls and it was the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) that won the elections. Tshering Tobgay became the new head of government.

The royal couple welcomes their first child, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, and the entire country, filled with joy, celebrates the future Dragon King by planting 108,000 trees.

Druk Gyalpo (King) and Gyaltsuen (Queen) Jetsun Pema announce that they are expecting their third child, due in early October. They already have sons, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, aged seven, and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, aged three.