Independence of Bhutan
Encyclopedia
Bhutan
is one of the few countries which has been independent throughout its history like Nepal
, never conquered, occupied, or governed by an outside power. Although there has been speculation that it was under the Kamarupa Kingdom or the Tibetan Empire
in the 7th to 9th centuries, firm evidence is lacking. From the time historical records are clear, Bhutan has continuously and successfully defended its sovereignty.
In 1910 under the Treaty of Punakha
, Bhutan recognized the suzerainty of the British government in exchange for political autonomy. In August 1947, after India gained independence from Britain, kingdoms such as Bhutan were given the option to remain independent, or join the Indian Union. Bhutan chose to remain independent and on August 8, 1949, Bhutan's independence was recognised by India.
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
is one of the few countries which has been independent throughout its history like Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, never conquered, occupied, or governed by an outside power. Although there has been speculation that it was under the Kamarupa Kingdom or the Tibetan Empire
Tibetan Empire
The historic name for the Tibetan Empire is different from Tibet's present name.Traditional Tibetan history preserves a lengthy list of rulers, whose exploits become subject to external verification in the Chinese histories by the seventh century. From the 7th to the 11th century a series of...
in the 7th to 9th centuries, firm evidence is lacking. From the time historical records are clear, Bhutan has continuously and successfully defended its sovereignty.
In 1910 under the Treaty of Punakha
Treaty of Punakha
The Treaty of Punakha was an agreement signed on January 8, 1910, at Punakha Dzong between the recently consolidated Kingdom of Bhutan and British India. The Treaty of Punakha is not a stand-alone document, but represents a modification of the Treaty of Sinchula of 1865, the prior working agreement...
, Bhutan recognized the suzerainty of the British government in exchange for political autonomy. In August 1947, after India gained independence from Britain, kingdoms such as Bhutan were given the option to remain independent, or join the Indian Union. Bhutan chose to remain independent and on August 8, 1949, Bhutan's independence was recognised by India.