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| Bhutan’s Early History |
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| Bhutan’s early dwellers were nomadic herders who wintered in the valleys and lowlands and then moved to mountain pastures every summer. It wasn’t until the 1600s, with the building of monasteries, that Bhutan began to take shape. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a Buddhist lama, is revered as the founder of Bhutan. Many of his fortress-monasteries, called dzongs (the “d” is silent) stand today, providing visitors with breathtaking glimpses of the roots of Bhutan’s stunning architecture. Shabdrung, for a time, led a unified Bhutan. When he passed away, several centuries of civil war followed, until 1907, when Ugyen Wangchuck was elected king. |
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The Birth of a Kingdom
King Ugyen Wangchuck |
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Bhutan’s history for the last one hundred years is best told through its monarchy, the five heirs of the royal Wangchuck dynasty. The earliest King of Bhutan was the first to unify the country once again after nearly three hundred years. King Ugyen is remembered as a visionary leader and statesman who won recognition from other countries for Bhutan as a sovereign kingdom.
His son, the second King, Jigme Wangchuck, presided over a time of great peace and stability for the people of Bhutan. King Jigme also lessened the burdens of his people by lowering their taxes. |
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| The Hidden Kingdom is Introduced to the World |
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When the second king passed away in 1952, Bhutan was still the hidden kingdom. The third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, introduced Bhutan to the world. While preserving Bhutan’s sacred heritage and culture, he helped pave the way for progress.
King Jigme Dorji developed relationships with the World Bank and the United Nations. He established a formal public education system for the people of Bhutan. He also supported voting in local elections culminating in Bhutan's First National Assembly.
Under his reign, Bhutan also developed a postal system and issued colorful and innovative postage stamps to help fund the country’s national treasury and economic development. King Jigme Dorji’s legacy was a nation of peace and happiness. |
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| The Era of Gross National Happiness |
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When King Jigme Dorji passed away unexpectedly, his son the crown prince was only 16 years old. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck became the fourth King of Bhutan in 1972.
His Majesty Jigme Singye was wise for a ruler crowned so young. He developed the concept of Gross National Happiness, which the Bhutanese live every day, emphasizing compassion over capitalism. He called for four pillars of Gross National Happiness:
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preservation and promotion of culture |
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environmental conservation |
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good governance |
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economic development |
His Majesty Jigme Singye ruled for more than 30 years (1972 to 2006). In the last years of his reign, he presided over the drafting of Bhutan’s first constitution, which laid the groundwork for the creation of a parliamentary democracy. The new government will be formed beginning with national elections in 2008.
In an unprecedented and historic move in 2006, His Majesty Jigme Singye transferred his responsibilities to his son, whose official coronation will be in 2008. His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck is a particular favorite among the Bhutanese. Already His Majesty has reached out to the poor in remote communities and to disabled people throughout Bhutan. His Majesty also was honored to receive the World Wildlife Fund’s J. Paul Getty Award for Conservation Leadership in 2006.
The Bhutanese have great affection, respect and gratitude for their kings. Photos of the monarchs are visible in shops, homes and offices throughout the country. |
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