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.