Ancient Bhutan
There was a settlement in Bhutan dating back to 2000 B.C. during the Stone Age which was proven by ancient stone implements and other archaeological findings in the county but the chronicled history of the kingdom, however, begins with the advent of Buddhism in the 8th century. The early inhabitants of the country practiced the Bon religion [animism], they worshiped nature around them and local deities for their protection by sacrificing the animals to appease them. At that time the country is known as Lhomon or Monyul [southern land of darkness] and the people Monpa [people of darkness]. Since the land is plenty of medicinal plants it was also known as Lhojong Menjong [the southern land of medicinal plants] and there are many ancient names like Ri drag gi Yul [land of the mountain terrain], Lhomom Tsendenjong [southern land of cypress tree], Lhomon Khazhi [land of four approaches], and in the 17th century Druk Yul [the land of thunder dragon] during the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal the founder of Bhutan. The present name Bhutan got its name in the 19th century during the time of British India, which does not have any actual meaning but it is suggested by the historian that the origin of the name is derived from the Sanskrit word bhota-anta [end of Tibet] or Bhu-uttan highland. Now to the outside world, it is known as Bhutan.
Arrival of Buddhism
The introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan occurred in the 7th century A.D when a Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo [627-649 A.D] built 108 Buddhist temples in the Himalaya region, among them Kyichu Lhakhang at Paro and Jampa Lhakhang at Bumthang although it didn’t eliminate the Bon religion in the country. Buddhism further flourished in the 8th century A.D. through a Buddhist saint, Guru Padmasambhava known as Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan and referred to as the second Buddha. In 746 A.D. he came to Bhutan from India at the invitation of one of the local kings of Bumthang, Sindhu Gyab to cure his illness. During that time, he founded many sacred places like Kurjey [body imprint] Lhakahang at Bumthang and Taktshang [Tiger’s nest] Lhakhang at Paro. According to traditions, he founded the Nyingmapa sect, or the old school of Mahayana Buddhism, which became for a time the dominant religion of the country. In the 11th century, Buddhism was almost declining in Tibet, and conflict among a number of sub-sects emerged forcing some of the small sects to settle in Bhutan like the Lhapa sects. In 1222 lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo came to Bhutan and brought the Drukpa Kagyupa sect and gradually it spread its teaching in the regions, now it’s the official religion of the country.
The era of ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyal (1594-1651) the founder of Bhutan
In 1616 AD a Tibetan lama known as Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal the reincarnation of Kuenkhen Pema Karpo the founder of the Drukpa Kagyu sect/school from Ralung monastery came to Bhutan after he had a conflict with the governor of that area. During his period in the country, he built many temples, monasteries, and Dzongs (fortress) and united the country, established a Dual system of the government appointing two temporal rulers known as Desi (secular head) and Je Khenpo (religious head). He creates a distinct Bhutanese cultural identity separate from the Tibetan cultures and named the country Druk Yul (the land of thunder Dragon) and the people are known as Drukpa. He also safeguarded the country from many Tibetan and Mongolian invasions. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal died in 1651 after he went for a retreat at Punakha Dzong and his death was kept secret for over 54 years since he doesn’t have any successor, during that time they issued orders in his name, explaining that he was on an extended silent retreat. On the 10th day, the 3rd month of the Bhutanese calendar it is a national holiday as the Death anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Establishment of Monarchy
After the death of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, there was no successor, eventually forcing the power to the Penlops (governors of different regions), where once again the country is in a civil war between the Governors of Paro, Wangdue, Punakha, Thimphu, Trongsa and Dagana in the second half of the 19th century. In 1865 among these governors the governor of Trongsa known as Jigme Namgyal, helped by a network of alliances and his political genius and once again controlled the eastern & western provinces until his death in 1881. His son Ugyen Wangchuk became the next Trongsa Penlop (governor) and further strengthens the alliances forged by his father and defeated his rival at Thimphu, in the battle of Changlimithang in 1885. From then on Bhutan enjoyed for the first time peace and political stability in many generations. Ugyen Wangchuk made a good relationship with the British and also served as a mediator between the British and Tibetan during British expeditions to Tibet in 1904 under Colonel Francis Younghusband. He won the confidence and respect of the latter and was awarded the title Knight Commander of the Indian Empire (KICE). On 17th December 1907, the people of Bhutan and the central monk body elected him as the first king of Bhutan, thus ending the dual system of government established by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and a hereditary monarchy was inaugurated. There the country and its people lived peacefully and happily under the glorious reign of the Wangchuk Dynasty.