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History of Bhutan
Myths surround the history of Bhutan. It is not clear to understand the ageless history which takes you behind 2000 B.C. only with the spread of Buddhism to Tibet during 9th century, brought light at this mysterious Bhutan. But it took 3 years for Buddhism to built Drukpa Kagyupa School in Bhutan. Bhutan’s history has linked with monasteries and other religious schools which were established by Tibetan Buddhist monks.
This independent country was never conquered by any other powerful countries. No out side power took pleasure to govern this little heaven on Earth. But some people say that Tibet took over this country during 8th century. But during 17th century a Tibetan lama Nawanag Namgyal invaded this country and took power in his hands. He made his own rules and became the ruler of all civil administration and religious administration. After some time, soon after Lama was dead the fighting among the people for administration power lead to the fall of such rule.
After 200 years when British were ruling India, Ugyen Wangchuk of Bhutan became the ruler with his links with the British rulers of India. Then he became the hereditary ruler of Bhutan. “The Treaty of Punaka” was signed between him and the British in 1910, which states that the British stay away from Bhutan’s internal issues if it accepts the external advice from the British. After his demise his son Jigme came to power. When India got independence, “Treaty of Peace and Friendship” was signed between Bhutan and India in 1949. According to this, India would no longer interfere in Bhutan’s affairs but guide Bhutan in its external policies. But Bhutan came into limelight only after his son Dorji came into power in 1952. It took more than 18 years after that to become a member of UN. This paved way for the establishment of National Assembly and Royal Bhutanese Army.
Next year Dorji’s son, Singye took over the kingdom when he was just 16 years old. Education system, governance, hydro electricity and tourism started developing during his reign. His “Gross National Happiness” is very famous all round the world. It insists not only economic growth but also over all development mostly in rural areas. After witnessing Bhutan’s all over transition towards prosperity, he resigned in 2006 and his son Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck took over the power. The democratic and full fledged government occurred in 2008 which assures that the peace, security sovereignty in Bhutan will continue in future too.
