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Monarchy and Royal Family of Bhutan

Updated on July 04, 2004

CONTENTS

1. Zhabdrungs/Shabdrungs

2. Monarchy

3. Current King and Royal Family

4. Political Problems

5. Royal Family Members

1. ZHABDRUNGS/SHABDRUNGS

Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel

The monk ruler, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651), a Tibetan native, is considered as the founder of modern Bhutan state. He was the first ruler of Bhutan. He ruled for 35 years. His successors ruled the country till 1907.

Shabdrung established himself as the country's supreme leader. He  ruled over Bhutan for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1651 A.D.  During his reign of 35 years,  he  built  dzongs (fortress), monasteries, and religious institutions. He established the  Drukpa  Kargyupa school of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan.  His reign was marked by the introduction of the unique dual system of governance called the Chhoesid. This new system was characterized by the sharing of power and authority between the Deb Raja or the Desi who was the head of secular affairs and the Dharma Raja or the spiritual head,  called as Je Khempo . He also codified laws for the country. The laws were based on medieval theocratic principles called the Tsa-Yig.  The successive ‘Dharma Rajas’ were the incarnations of the Shabdrung whereas the post of the Deb Raja was like that of the Prime Minister. In course of time, the Dharma Rajas preferring religious matters withdrew themselves into seclusion while the Deb Rajas consolidated their authority exercising sole responsibility over the secular affairs.

After the death of Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, the following became the Shabdrungs or Dharma Raja of Bhutan.

he reincarnation of Shabdrung Jigme Nawang Namgyal, who was   living in exile  in the Indian state of  Himachal Pradesh, died on April 5, 2003.

2. MONARCHY

The dual form of governance continued until the birth of the Wangchuk dynasty and establishment of hereditary Monarchy in 1907.The  reigning Wangchuk dynasty and hereditary Monarchy was established in 1907. His Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck became  the  first hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907. Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the  first hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907.

The king of Bhutan is known as Druk Gyalpo.  The present King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the fourth hereditary king. The establishment of a hereditary monarchy was indeed the most important landmark in the recorded history of Bhutan.

KING UGYEN WANGCHUCK

King Ugyen Wangchuck

Ugyen Wangchuck ( 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 Raj in 1910. 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.

KING JIGME WANGCHUCK

King Jijme Wangchuck

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

KING JIGME DORJI WANGCHUCK

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ( 1952-1972) was born in 1928. He learned English and Hindi languages at early childhood. He ascended to throne as the third king in 1952. During his 20 years reign, Bhutan emerged as a modern nation. Bhutan achieved all-round development during his reign. He was a far-sighted monarch. He introduced land reforms putting a landholding ceiling of 30 acres. He distributed lands to land-less citizens. He put a ban on slavery and serfdom. He established a High court and reorganized the judicial system. In 1953, he established the Tshogdu or National assembly - Bhutan’s first unicameral Parliament. He established the Royal Advisory Council in 1963. During his reign Bhutan’s first planned economic development plan was drafted. In 1961, a five year economic development pan was launched for the years 1961-1966. Bhutan is still following this five-year economic development plan. He created Bhutan’s first Council of Ministers in 1968. In 1963, Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan. During his 20 years reign, 1770 Km of roads were constructed, the number of schools rose to 102 and 6 hospitals were established. In 1971, he set up a Planning Commission. Bhutan was admitted to the United Nations in 1971. He died on 21 July, 1972. He was the main architect of modern Bhutan he was married to Queen Ashi Kelzang Chhoedon wangchuck.

3. CURRENT KING AND ROYAL FAMILY

KING JIGME SINGYE WANGCHUCK

His Royal Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck

King of Bhutan

The fourth hereditary and the current King Jime Singye Wangchuck ( 1972 -) was born on 11 November 1955. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, King of Bhutan is the reigning monarch and head of Bhutanese Royal Family. He received modern education. He briefly studied in  India and the United Kingdom. He returned to the Ugyen Wangchuck Academy in Paro, Bhutan in 1970. However, he could not complete his school education   due to the sudden death of his father. He became king on 23 July  1972 at the age of 17. His official   coronation was held on June 02, 1974.

In 1979 His Majesty King Jime Singye Wangchuck married four sisters - Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck and Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck as queens. An official  royal wedding and a public ceremony was held on 31 October 1988. They five princes and five princesses.  HRH Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck is the Crown Prince.

His Majesty King Jime Singye Wangchuck also carried forward the socio-economic progress of the country initiated by his father. Bhutan has made tremendous progress in the filed of communications, hydro-electric power development, education, health, financial sector, environmental protection, and industrial and infrastructural development during his reign. The per capita GDP stood at its highest of US$ 712.8 (Nu 32,006) in 2000.

Bhutan became the member of. ESCAP in 1972, NAM in 1973, IFAD, IMF, IBRD, IDA and FAO in 1981, WHO, UNESCO and ADB in 1982, UNIDO in 1983, ITU in 1988, ICAO in 1989, ECOSOC in 1992.

Under his reign, Bhutan established diplomatic relations with Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, EEC, Norway and Netherlands Kuwait, Japan, Finland, South Korea, Austria, Thailand, Bahrain, Hongkong, Singapore, Macaw, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan , Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

4. POLITICAL PROBLEMS

However, Bhutan has been facing its biggest political problems during his reign. Over 100,000 Bhutanese refugees are now living in the UNHCR administered refugee camps in Nepal since 1991. Bhutan has been facing its biggest security threat from the militants of India’s north-east provinces, who have taken shelter in Bhutanese territories since a decade. These militants outlawed by the government of India are operating against the government of India and Indian army from their bases in Bhutan.

5. ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS

His Majesty the King  has four sisters as follows:

H.R.H. Princess Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck, b. 26 July 1953.

H.R.H. Princess  Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck, b. 8 Sept,1954.

H.R.H. Princess  Ashi Pem Pem Wangchuck, b. 12 March 1959.

H.R.H. Princess  Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck, b. 11 May 1961.

In 1979, His Majesty married four sisters,  daughters of  Yab Ugen Dorji and Yum Thuiji Zam  A private royal wedding ceremony was held discreetly in 1979, followed by a public ceremony on 31 October 1988. During the royal wedding,  the eldest prince, His Royal Highness Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck was declared as Crown Prince. The names  of Their Majesties the Queens and Royal children are as follows: 

Queens

1. Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (b.20/12/1955, second daughter of  Yab Ugen Dorji)

2. Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck (b. 20/12/1957, third  daughter)

3. Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck  ( b.  21/6/1959,  fourth daughter)

4. Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck ( b. 11/5/1963, fifth  daughter)

Royal children

The names of Royal children are as follows:  

1. HRH Princess Ashi  Chimi Yamgzam,  daughter of Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck. ( b. 10/1/1980

2. HRH  Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, Crown Prince, son of Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck. ( b. 21/2/1980). He M Phil in Politics at Magdalen College, Oxford, UK in 2003. 

3. HRH Princess Ashi Sonam Dechen, daughter of Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. (b. 5/8/1981)

4. HRH Princess Ashi Dechen Yangzam,   daughter of  Ashi Tsering Yangdon Wangchuck. (b. 2/12/1981)

5. HRH Princess Ashi Kesang Choden, daughter of  Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck (b. 23/1/1982)

6. HRH  Prince Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuk,  son of Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. ( b. 6/7/1984). He studied in Choate Rosemary High School in the USA for three years and completed his high school. He was then enrolled as a first year student  to study  history and politics  at St Peter's College Oxford, UK in 2003. He left the college unfinished on November 04, 2003.

7. HRH Prince Dasho Khamsum Singhye Wangchuk, son of Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck. ( b. 6/10/1985)

8. HRH Prince Dasho Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, son of Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck. ( b.14/4/1986 )

9. HRH Princess Ashi Euphelma Choden Wangchuk, daughter of Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck (b.1993)

10. HRH Prince Dasho Ugyen Jigme Wangchuk,  son of  Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck. (b.1994)

From left: Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdön Wangchuck, Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, His Majesty the King, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wanghcuk.

His Royal Highness Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck

Crown  Prince of Bhutan

His Royal Highness Dasho Jigel Ugen Wangchuck

Prince of Bhutan