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About Bhutan

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History

About Bhutan

Bhutan's early provide evidence that the region has been settled as early as 2000 BC. Bhutan is one of the few countries which has been independent throughout its history, never conquered, occupied, or governed by an outside. From the time historical records are clear, Bhutan has continuously and successfully defended its sovereignty.

The country, initially known by various names like Lho Jong and Lho Mon Kha Shi, derived its current name, Druk Yul or The Land of the Drukpas, in the 17th century. This name reflects the dominance of the Drukpa sect of Buddhism, introduced after Buddhism supplanted the earlier Bonism in the 7th century under the influence of Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo and Guru Rimpoche.

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In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as Bhutan's hereditary ruler and crowned as the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King). Under his reign, Bhutan signed the Treaty of Punakha with British India in 1910, ensuring non-interference in internal affairs in exchange for external advice in foreign relations. After Ugyen Wangchuck's death in 1926, his son Jigme Wangchuck took the throne. Bhutan gained recognition as an independent country from India upon India's independence in 1947. The Treaty of Peace and Friendship was signed between India and Bhutan in 1949, establishing guidelines for foreign policy while respecting Bhutan's internal affairs.
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Jigme Dorji Wangchuck succeeded his father in 1952, initiating Bhutan's emergence from isolation with planned development initiatives. The National Assembly, Royal Bhutanese Army, and Royal Court of Justice were established, along with a new legal code. Bhutan joined the United Nations in 1971. In 1972, Jigme Singye Wangchuck became King at age 16, focusing on modern education, decentralization of governance, and economic development, including hydroelectricity and tourism. He introduced the concept of "gross national happiness" to prioritize holistic development beyond economic measures.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who became King. This transition reflected Bhutan’s commitment to its evolving democratization process, leading to the promulgation of a new constitution in 2008.

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On December 15, 2006, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan relinquished his powers to his son, Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to prepare him for the country's transition to a democratic government in 2008. Originally planned for 2008, the abdication occurred earlier to ensure the young King gained hands-on experience leading the nation before the transition. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck emphasized the importance of his son gaining experience in dealing with national issues and responsibilities as head of state. He expressed confidence in Bhutan's stability, security, and strong relationships with India and international partners, making it an opportune time for the transition.

Language

Bhutan is linguistically diverse, with several languages spoken throughout the country. The official language is Dzongkha, which is spoken by the majority of the population and used in government, education, and official communication. However, there are also several other languages spoken by various ethnic groups. Some of the prominent languages include:

  • Sharchop: Spoken by the Sharchop ethnic group in eastern Bhutan, Sharchop is one of the most widely spoken languages in the country after Dzongkha.
  • Nepali: Nepali-speaking communities, primarily descendants of Nepali immigrants, reside in southern Bhutan. Nepali is widely spoken in these communities.
  • Bumthap: Bumthanp is spoken in the Bumthang District of central Bhutan. It is closely related to Dzongkha but has its own distinct dialects.
  • Tshangla: Tshangla is spoken by the Tshangla ethnic group in eastern Bhutan. It is also spoken in parts of neighboring Arunachal Pradesh in India.
  • Lhotshamkha: Lhotshamkha is a term used to refer to the dialects of the Lhotshampa community, which primarily consists of ethnic Nepalis. These dialects are influenced by Nepali but also contain elements of Dzongkha and other languages.
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