HISTORY
The name, Bhutan, is believed to have derived from Sanskrit
word for the end of Tibet, Bhotant or from Bhu-uttan meaning
the high lands. Although the country is known as Bhutan to the outside world,
the Bhutanese themselves and some regional countries with historical link call
it Druk Yul, meaning the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Druk means a Dragon,
and that comes from the fact that the country's religion is predominantly Drukpa
school of Mahayana Buddhism, which has its roots in Druk Ralung monastery located
in southern Tibet.
Although recent archeological evidence points at Bhutan having
being inhabited as early as 2000 BC, documented 
history
of the Kingdom begins with the arrival of Guru Padma Sambhava, also known as
Guru Rimpoche, in 747 A.D. The ailing King Sendha of Bumthang invited
the master to seek his expertise in exorcism. Guru Rimpoche is attributed as
the primary force behind the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. Religious texts abound
with accounts of his work in Bhutan. Besides Bumthang he visited several places
in Bhutan where he miraculously left his body and foot imprints in rocks, which
can still be seen today. One of more famous places of his visit known to outsiders
is Taktshang Monastery in Paro where he is believed to have arrived on a flying
tigress. Hence the name Taktshang, which translates as the Tiger's Nest. In
the several centuries that followed Guru Rimpoche's introduction of Buddhism
to Bhutan, many great masters of the Mahayana school visited and enhanced the
popularity of the faith. Prior to Buddhism the people mainly practiced Bon,
an animistic religion, believed to have arrived in the 6th century.
The second important event in Bhutanese history is the arrival
of Prince-Abbot Ngawang Namgyal from Druk Ralung in southern Tibet in 1616 A.D.
Due to religious links with Druk Ralung, Ngawang Namgyal although having come
to Bhutan
in exile gained much popularity and support from local people. He eventually
became the powerful influence that led to the unification of Bhutan as a single
nation from the chaos of feudal system that was strife with instability and
inter-valley wars. Ngawang Namgyal codified a comprehensive system of laws and
brought the country under one system of rule and himself came to be known as
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Shabdrung meaning at whose feet one prostrates.
In later part of his life, the Shabdrung established a dual system of governance,
a religious side headed by Je Khenpo or Head Abbott and civil administration
headed by elected/appointed Desi or Temporal ruler. This tradition still continues
today where the administration of monastic system and civil administration is
separate and treated equal at the same time. The Shabdrung besides bringing
internal peace and unity also fought outside aggressions, especially from Tibet,
and built a chain of fortresses called Dzongs, which guarded each valley. The
Dzongs continue to serve as the provincial center for religion and civil administrations
to this day.
But peace lasted for only a while. As the influence of Shabdrung
waned, after his demise was announced in 1705, two centuries of civil wars followed
in a new grapple for power among regional Governors, including fresh external
aggression, which now included the ruler of Cooch Behar (India) and the British.
After a long trying period, at the end of 19th century, Penlop (Governor)
of Trongsa, Jigme Namgyal, emerged as the most powerful and came to be recognized
as the true leader of the country. Eventually in 1907, an assembly of the representatives
of the monastic community, civil servants and the people, formally elected his
son, then the Trongsa Penlop, Sir Ugyen Wangchuk, as the first Monarch of Bhutan.
Since then, the country has experienced peace and development that culminates
in the country we see today.
Even though the system of governance has always being in line
with a Constitutional Monarchy, a national effort is currently underway to establish
a written constitution. Just as his ancestors, HM Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the
fourth in the Wangchuk Dynasty commands immense popularity and respect. Ascending
the throne in 1974, at a tender age, the present king continued his Late Majesty's
policy of pragmatic development, where the promotion of industrial progress,
countrywide education and medical care is carried out while ensuring preservation
of national culture and natural heritage at the same time.
TOP
.jpg)
history
of the Kingdom begins with the arrival of Guru Padma Sambhava, also known as
Guru Rimpoche, in 747 A.D. The ailing King Sendha of Bumthang invited
the master to seek his expertise in exorcism. Guru Rimpoche is attributed as
the primary force behind the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. Religious texts abound
with accounts of his work in Bhutan. Besides Bumthang he visited several places
in Bhutan where he miraculously left his body and foot imprints in rocks, which
can still be seen today. One of more famous places of his visit known to outsiders
is Taktshang Monastery in Paro where he is believed to have arrived on a flying
tigress. Hence the name Taktshang, which translates as the Tiger's Nest. In
the several centuries that followed Guru Rimpoche's introduction of Buddhism
to Bhutan, many great masters of the Mahayana school visited and enhanced the
popularity of the faith. Prior to Buddhism the people mainly practiced Bon,
an animistic religion, believed to have arrived in the 6th century. .jpg)