Most of Bhutan’s history is undocumented, obscure, and rely extensively on oral literature. Although settlers occupied the land some 2000 years ago, proper written records began when Guru Padmasambhava visited the country in the 8th century. Buddhism has existed in Bhutan much before Guru Rinpoche’s arrival. However, it was after his visit that majority of the Bhutanese shed their old bon practice to embrace Buddhism wholly.
Guru Rinpoche came to the country to settle a dispute between two rival kings. Bumthang was a principle state during the time and the King of Bumthang, after losing his son in a battle had desecrated all the local shrines in a fit of anger. Subsequently the king fell ill.
Courtiers and ministers sent out invitation for Guru Rinpoche who was famed to possess miraculous powers. Guru Rinpoche then subdued all the local harmful deities and cured the king. The King then converted to Buddhism along with all his subjects.
The next important episode of Bhutan’s history begins with Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 17th Century who unified the country. Bhutan then started on its own unique form of governance and administration.
Bhutan suffered many Tibetan invasions during his time, but the Zhabdrung thwarted each of them through tricks, magic, illusions and sorcery. The Zhabdrung began on a huge exercise to build strategic forts across the country to defend from Tibetan invasion.
These forts, known as Dzongs played an important role in defending the country. As a fort of defense the Dzongs were usually built on hilltops, ridges or between rivers that served as natural moat.
The Dzongs still stand today as a symbol of power and houses the government’s administration and the monk body. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel started the dual system of governance, which constitute the secular, and the spiritual.
After the death of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, which was kept as a secret for 50 years, Bhutan was divided into many rival factions and lords and endured many feuds, wars and battles for over a hundred years.
Subsequently, the lord of Trongsa, or Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel emerged as the most powerful in the 1800s. Jigme Namgyel rose to power, through sheer determination, excellent statesmanship, hard work and intelligence.
He fought the famous Duar War in the 1850s with the British. After an initial success, Bhutan surrendered the southern Duars to the British. His Son Ugyen Wangchuck was appointed as the first king of Bhutan in 1907, through an Oath of Allegiance. This marked the beginning of the Wangchuck dynasty in Bhutan.
The current Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck descended from this dynasty and is the 5th King of Bhutan.