The End of a Monarchy

The hereditary monarchy of Bhutan will soon see an end to its regime as Bhutan slowly moves towards a democratic state. Until the 1600, Bhutan mainly consisted of many warring tribes and fiefdoms. However, after the year 1616, Bhutan was unified and made into a state by a Tibetan Lama and military leader, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal is often considered as the first ruler of Bhutan. He had arrived in Bhutan after escaping political foes in Tibet and then initiated a program of fortification and military consolidation in Bhutan. As an insightful leader, he used cultural symbols as well as military force to establish a national identity in Bhutan, including the initiation of a number of sacred dances to be performed in the annual tsechu festivals. He oversaw the construction of impressive dzongs or fortresses such as the Simtokha Dzong, which guards the entrance to Thimpu Valley.

Shabdrung ruled for 35 years and also had established the dual system of government. The dual government system is the system in which the control of the country is shared between a spiritual leader (the Je Khempo) and an administrative leader (the Desi Druk). He had also codified the laws for the country. The laws were mainly based on medieval theocratic principles of Tsa-Yig. The successive ‘Dharma Rajas’ pr Shabdrungs 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 his death, the reincarnations of the Shabdrung became the Dharma Raja of Bhutan.

The years 1870’s to 1880’s was marked with civil war between the Paro and Trongsa valleys in Bhutan. This civil war had eroded the power of the Shabdrungs. However, in the year 1885 the Penlop of Trongsa, Ugyen Wangchuck gained an upper hand over the rival forces and tried to cultivate ties with British in India.

The dual form of government that Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal had founded continued till the birth of the Wangchuck dynasty. With the help of the British, Ugyen Wangchuck managed to establish hereditary monarchy into Bhutan. Thus, on 17th December 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck became the first hereditary king of Bhutan.

King Ugyen Wangchuck was a wise and able ruler. He introduced the system of western education to Bhutan. In the year 1910, he signed a new Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty with British India Raj. Under this treaty Bhutan became a protectorate of Bhutan.

After the death of King Ugyen Wangchuck, his eldest son Jigme Wangchuck became the King of Bhutan. 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.

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ascended to throne as the third hereditary king in 1952. Under his rule Bhutan adopted a policy of gradual exposure to the outside world and was recognized by The United Nations as a sovereign country in the year 1971.

During his rule, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck tried to promote the elimination of the absolute power in Bhutan. Beginning in the year 1968 till his death in 1972, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had ended his veto power over the national assembly. After his death, his son the fourth hereditary King Jigme Sinye Wangchuck ascended to the throne. After the death of the Third hereditary King of Bhutan, the National Assembly gave back the power to King Jigme Sinye Wangchuck. However, he continued with his father’s policy of limited government and in the year 1998, convinced the National Assembly to formally end the absolute veto power of the king, arguing that it was better for the future of the country.

In December 2005, the Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced that he would abdicate in 2008 to coincide with the first national election and introduction of Bhutan's new constitution. a year later, he announced his immediate abdication with the intention to prepare the young king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuchk for the country’s transformation to a full fleged democratic form of government. The previous King's abdication in favour of his son was originally set to occur in 2008 as well, but there was an apparent concern that the new King should have hands-on experience as the nation's leader before presiding over a transformation in the country's form of government.

The fourth Druk Gyalpo further "explained that Bhutan could not hope for a better time for such an important transition. Today, the country enjoys peace and stability, and its security and sovereignty is ensured. After phenomenal development and progress, the country is closer than ever to the goal of economic self reliance. Bhutan’s relations with its closest neighbour and friend, India, has reached new heights. International organisations and bilateral development partners are ready to support Bhutan’s development efforts and political transformation."