Second King of Bhutan: Jigme Wangchuck

King Jigme Wangchuk “THE CONSOLIDATOR” (1902/1906 – March 30, 1952)

King Jijme Wangchuck ( 1926-1952 AD) was born in 1905. As the eldest son of King Ugen Wangchuck, he received education in English, Hindi and Buddhist literature. During his reign, Bhutan started to forsake its self-imposed isolation. In 1947 Bhutan participated in the Asian relations Conference in New Delhi, India. The Treaty of perpetual peace and friendship between the government of Independent India and Bhutan was signed in Darjeeling, on 08 August 1949. This Treaty governs the modern day Indo-Bhutan relations. Bhutan agreed to be guided by the advice of India in regard to its foreign relations, according to this Treaty. He was married to Queen Ashi Phuntsho Chhoedon. Under his reign, Bhutan continued to maintain almost complete isolation from the outside world, with the United Kingdom, then the colonial power in India responsible for foreign affairs. This responsibility was transferred to India in 1949, shortly after that country gained independence. He was succeeded by his son, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.

News: Her Royal Highness Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck takes part in the 3rd Children and Youth festival

Her Royal Highness Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck

Her Royal Highness Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck takes part in the 3rd Children and Youth festival, which opened yesterday at Harmony: The Centenary Youth Village, Thimphu

Source: Kuenselonline

News: His Holiness the Je Khenpo appointed Depai Sungkhop and the Gonpoi Kang-jup

Bhutanes Monks: Tashi Khadhar to the Lams and Lopen

His Holiness the Je Khenpo appointed Depai Sungkhop and the Gonpoi Kang-jup of Tashichhodzong and the Lam of Rinchen Tse lhakhang in Chhukha today. His Holiness offered Tashi Khadhar to the Lams and Lopen.

Lam Wangchuk from Khariphu village in Thimphu was appointed the Depai Sungkhop of Tashichhodzong. He joined the central monastic body as a novice monk at the age of seven. He has also undergone a three year retreat at Pelgi Ri in Thimphu.

Lam Tshering Penjor from Bunakha in Chhukha has been appointed the Lam of Rinchen Tse lhakhang in Darla geog under Chhukha Dzongkhag. He joined the central monastic body at the age of nine. Prior to his present appointment he was the Dratshang Tshempon.

Lopen Sonam is the new Goenpoi Kangup at the Tashichhodzong. He is from Lobesa in Punakha. He became a monk at the age of nine. He was serving as a Tshozob before he was appointed the Goenpoi Kangup.

Source: BBS

First King of Bhutan: Sir Ugyen Wangchuck

Sir Ugyen Wangchuck “THE FOUNDER” (1861–1926)

Ugyen Wangchuck, The First King of Bhutan (1907-1926 AD) was the son of Jigme Namgyel . He was born in 1862. He was an able administrator and a wise diplomat. He took several reforms and introduced the system of western education. He opened many schools. He signed a new Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty with British India in 1910. He was the penlop (governor) of Tongsa. From his power base in central Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck had defeated his political enemies and united the country following several civil wars and rebellions in 1882-1885. In what was an epochal year for the country, in 1907 Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously chosen as the heredity king of the country by the people. For his services to the Francis Younghusband expedition to Lhasa, Tibet, he was knighted by the British in 1904. He ruled for 19 years. He died in August 21, 1926. He was married to Queen Ashi Tsendue Lhamo. His son Jigme Wangchuck became the second King of Bhutan after his death.

Jigme Namgyel “The Black Regent”

Bhutan History remembers this man as a stubborn, sure-fire and insolent warrior who left no stones unturned to consolidate the warring factions in the country. Bhutanese remember him, for one, as the man who in February 1865 compelled the British forces to retreat to Dewangiri, infliction heavy losses and capturing two cannons which he took back to Trongsa.

Born to Pila Gonpo Wangyel and Sonam Pedzom in 1825, he was the Third of the five children who set off seeking his fortunes after a dream foretold his foray to Bumthang and then to Mangdelung. He reached Trongsa to become Trongsa Penlop. After Ugyen Phuentsho’s death Jigme Namgyel rose from several low ranks to become the Zimpon (Chief Chamberlain) of his new master Tsokhyil Dorji in 1848. Soon afterwards, the Black Regent, (nicknamed so for his dark face, the black robes he wore and the black horse he rode), had his first test of battle in his own home district of Kurtoe where he defeated the Lhuentse Dzongpon.

In 1980, the Jigme Namgyel finally assumed formal power as the 51st regent. He retired in 1873 passing the throne to his cousin Dorje Namgyel and took seat in Simtokha where he died in 1881 after having installed his son Ugyen Wangchuck as the Paro Penlop.