Bhutan is one of only a few countries which has been independent throughout her history, never conquered, occupied, or governed by an outside power (notwithstanding occasional nominal tributary status).
The consolidation of Bhutan occurred in 1616 when Ngawanag Namgyal, from western Tibet known as the Zhabdrung Rinpoche, defeated three Tibetan invasions, subjugated rival religious schools, codified the Tsa Yig, an intricate and comprehensive system of law, and established himself as ruler over a system of ecclesiastical and civil administrators.
After his death, infighting and civil war eroded the power of the Zhabdrung for the next 200 years. In 1885 Ugyen Wangchuck was able to consolidate power, and began cultivating closer ties with the British in the subcontinent.
In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the hereditary ruler of Bhutan, crowned on December 17, 1907, and installed as the head of state, the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King).
In 1910, King Ugyen and the British signed the Treaty of Punakha which provided that British India would not interfere in the internal affairs of Bhutan if the country accepted external advice in its external relations.
When Ugyen Wangchuck died in 1926, his son Jigme Wangchuck became the ruler, and when India gained independence in 1947, the new Indian Government recognized Bhutan as an independent country.
In 1949, India and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which provided that India would not interfere in Bhutan's internal affairs, but would guide its foreign policy.
Succeeded in 1952 by his son Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Bhutan began to slowly emerge from its isolation and began a program of planned development. The National Assembly of Bhutan, the Royal Bhutanese Army, and the Royal Court of Justice were established, along with a new code of law.
Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in 1971.
In 1972, Jigme Singye Wangchuck ascended the throne at age 16. He emphasized modern education, decentralization of governance, the development of hydroelectricity and tourism and improvements in rural developments. He was perhaps best known internationally for his overarching development philosophy of "gross national happiness."
It recognizes that there are many dimensions to development and that economic goals alone are not sufficient. Satisfied with Bhutan's transitioning democratization process, he abdicated in December 2006 rather than wait until the promulgation of the new constitution in 2008.
His son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, became King upon his abdication.
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (born 21 February 1980) is Druk Gyalpo of The Kingdom of Bhutan. After his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne in his favor he became the monarch on 9 December 2006. A public coronation ceremony was held on 1 November 2008, a year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.
Our hearts race with emotions, and tears well in our eyes. Every beat roars that we are the proud people of Bhutan, the land of thunder dragon. In an instant, there is burning love and respect for all our Monarchs and generations of Bhutanese who built this nation.
Along with the people of Bhutan, I will offer my sincere prayers of gratitude and rejoice in being a Bhutanese as we celebrate the 114th National Day tomorrow. Observing the important day as we continue to live in the turmoil of the pandemic elevates its significance even more.
We have always been blessed with selfless Kings who sacrificed to steer our nation on the path of progress. And needless to mention, if not for the leadership of His Majesty The King, Bhutan’s recent pandemic story would be very different.
We have received so much, and we have “thanked” enough.
His Majesty is not just guiding us out of the pandemic. The Royal aspiration is to propel us out of the adversity to a new standard of growth and progress.
We look towards our King to show us the way, just as we do each time we falter. As always, the National Day is one occasion we seek to receive wisdom and direction for the road we will take hereafter.
Every word and every pause that emanates from His Majesty’s heart is for the people and nation, today and always. Therefore, we will listen to the Royal Address with all sincerity and act in earnest. Our pasts have done their part. We are the present and it is our responsibility to carry forward the legacies.
I offer my heartfelt felicitation to all the fellow Bhutanese.
