Essay:
An account of Bhutan : Ancient and Modern
By Sonam Rinchey

Utmost of the Bhutan’s early histories are walked in bond with the Buddhist folktale and allegories. Though there are numerous remnants of colossal stone structures providing evidence that Bhutan was inhabited as early as 2000 BC, there is no well-built stand for the assertion. The etymology of “Bhutan” or “Drukyul” was full-fledged soon after the country was well-established, then it was called “Monyul” (Dark land) or “Lhomon” (Southern dark land) or “Ridrag gi yul” (Land of high passes and cliffs). Apprehensively in the pre-history or later, there are innumerable folktales about the arrival of several Indian Kings and princes who have visited Monyul in exile or in propagation of spiritual ideologies. Introductory of the history of Bhutan disclose merely in the mid-7th Century, when the 32nd Tibetan King of Yarlung Dynasty in Tibet, Songtsen Gampo, built four border taming temples in Monyul ( Some asserts two temples) .Not so long after that, Guru Padmasambhava, an eminent Indian Trantic master, arrived in the middle of 8th century. Guru Rinpoche (common name referred to Padmasambhava) is the most important figure appeared in Monyul and his theological formulation of Vajrayana Buddhism has become Bhutan’s paramount import from India in the history of Bhutan. It is for the fact that the root of Buddhism further nurtured into the state religion later. Moreover, the country seems much established and nearly all the cultures and beliefs in the country appeared after his advent. Incessantly, the Buddhism sects come apart in Bhutan from Tibet after the Buddhism revival in early 11th century.

By 17th century, the country was occupied with numerous sects of Buddhism and it was gashed into different regions statute by different local chieftains until the arrival of the state builder, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1616. Not so long after his onset the diverse regions were bought into a state with exclusive Dual System of Government (Spiritual and Political) where the “Desi” looks after the political affairs of the country and the “Je Khenpo”, who initiates the religious matters. The country was then called “Lhomonkhazhi” or the southern Mon of four approaches. However, with the unification of the country, it got its current name “Druk” or Thunder Dragon, “Druyul” or a Land of Thunder Dragon, derived from one of the major Buddhist sects called “Drukpa Kagyu” based in Druk Ralung, Tibet. Zhabdrung bind bilateral relationship with numerous Indian Rajas such as Prem Narayan, the Raja of Cooch Bihar and Sengye Namgyal, the 9th Raja of Ladakh. The semi theocratic government ran for more than two centuries, until 1907 with the introductory of Monarchy system in Bhutan. In between, there were innumerable civil warfare for the elevated posts and the Duar disputes with the British-Indian government. Additionally, several British expeditions and delegates reached Bhutan, which their works serve as effectual evidences for the history of Bhutan currently. By then Bhutan has a good relationship with British and the duo has signed treaty which had bought an immense benefits for both the parties. With a back-up from British and the aspirations from populaces, Sir Ugyen Wangchuk with his courageous and magnanimous aptitude, he was crowned as the hereditary monarch of Bhutan in 1907. Subsequently, the well-built system of monarchy has bought the civil battles and exterior warfare to a halt and nurtured the progression of the nation development and harmony in the country.

The monarchs have inputted enormous efforts to direct the nation with a diminutive economy filling the aspirations of the people. The 2nd Druk Gyalpo (referred to the king of the land of dragon) Jigme Wangchuk, succeeded his father’s throne, and hoarded the country from both the internal and external threats during his reign. At his sovereignty, he was at the wheel of a very difficult phase, where he was covering the country sturdily when the world is involved in World War. Gradually, he passed his throne to his son, the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, alias “The Father of Modern Bhutan”. He is highly recognized for the disclosure of the country’s isolation and the tightening of the bilateral relationship with India. With this, India has initiated the aid for the process of modernization with a five year plan financial statement and Bhutan also became the member of UNO and in numerous international assemblages and forums with the assistance from India. However, after his early demise, his son Jigme Singye Wangchuk, “the Great Fourth,” succeeded the golden throne and became the youngest monarch in the world at the age of 17. Although he is deemed as a monarch with four queens in foreigner’s psyche, the great fourth lies in the depth of every Bhutanese hearts for his enormous involvement in the sake of country’s sovereignty and people’s happiness. Among his gigantic contributions, Gross National Happiness is one of the highlighted developmental philosophies in the world. Gross National Happiness (GNH) is emphasized to measures both sustainable economy and social development, while protecting the environment and culture under the framework of good governance.

More importantly, after drafting the constitution of the country, in the decentralization process, he established the novel government of democracy in which people never inquire and prepare for the democracy in the country. He conceded the century old supreme power of government in hands of the people and established a new government called “Democratic Constitutional Monarchy” in 2008. The reign of the Great fourth has drawn attention in the history of Bhutan for his munificent reforms and involvement. After he abdicated the throne in his son’s favor, Jigme Kesar Namgyal Wangchuk became the 5th hereditary king of Bhutan. The People’s King or the current Druk Gyalpo, began his reign overseeing the democratization of his country. With a diminutive economy in the period of modernization, the country is well gripped and showcased equally in the line of developed nations by the present Druk Gyalpo. More significantly, the reforms were bought incessantly in accordance with the GNH and fulfill every modest aspirations of the citizen of the country.

Note: The summarized article contains limited sources; therefore it may not be the proper source. It is simply a perspective of one.

Image:

This engraving by William Daniell was made from an original drawing by Samuel Davis and became plate 2 in their book, 'Views in Bootan'.

Davis was a member of the regiment of Captain Turner, which was sent on a deputation to Tibet in 1783 by the Governor General in Bengal, Warren Hastings. Turner wrote an account of his mission, published in 1800, illustrated with a few drawings by Davis.

This view shows the house where the British detachment was lodged, "simple, unostentatious but clean and commodious". Its projecting balconies were secured from the cold by Bhutanese woollen cloth and used as sleeping apartments, with a fine view of the Thimphu river valley. The rapidly flowing river was apt to swell in the rainy season, necessitating the shoring up of the embankments. In the sketch the Tashicho Dzong is partly obscured by a peach tree. The bridge led to a meadow ornamented by willows planted in neat rows, where priests from the Dzong (two of whom are seen in their red wool robes) gathered for ceremonies and recreation.

Image and text credit:
Copyright © The British Library Board