Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Encyclopedia
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ( Wylie
: 'jigs med rdo rje dbang phyuk; May 2, 1928 – July 21, 1972) was the Third Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan.
He began to open Bhutan
to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first steps toward democratization
. Upon succeeding his father, Jigme Wangchuck, on 27 October 1952, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck put an end to feudalism and slavery
and released all remaining serf
s. He encouraged certain modern inventions to assist the local peasantry and introduced wheel
ed vehicles, where previously the transportation of crops and people was done manually. He established a High court and reorganized the judicial system. In 1953, he established the Tshogdu or National Assembly
- Bhutan's first unicameral Parliament.
During his reign Bhutan's first planned economic development plan was drafted. In 1961, a five-year economic development plan was launched for the years 1961-1966. Bhutan is still following this economic development plan. He created Bhutan's first Council of Ministers in 1968. In 1963, Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan
. During his 20-year reign, 1770 km of roads were constructed, the number of schools rose to 102 and 6 hospital
s were established. In 1971, he set up a Planning Commission.
Neighboring Tibet's union
with the People's Republic of China
in 1951 encouraged the king to foster stronger ties with foreign nations, especially India
, and culminated with Bhutan
joining the United Nations
in 1971. At the same time, he empowered the National Assembly to remove him or any of his successors with a two-thirds majority.
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck suffered his first heart attack
at the age of twenty. He made frequent visits overseas for medical treatment, dying in Nairobi
, Kenya
, while receiving medical treatment in 1972.
His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck married Her Majesty Queen Ashi Kesang Choedon Wangchuck. Their son, Jigme Singye Wangchuck
, succeeded him as King of Bhutan. His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck has four daughters, the eldest being HRH Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck, who has two children, Dasho Mila and Ashi Maytho. The King's second-eldest daughter, HRH Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck, has two children, Dasho Zillnon Dorji and Ashi Mendharawa Dorji. The King's third daughter is HRH Ashi Pem Pem, who has one daughter named Ashi Kesang Choden.The King's youngest daughter is HRH Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck, who has four children, Dasho Jigme Namgyel Dorji, Ashi Tenzin Wangmo, Dasho Singye Palden, and Dasho Ugyen Norbu.
Wylie transliteration
The Wylie transliteration scheme is a method for transliterating Tibetan script using only the letters available on a typical English language typewriter. It bears the name of Turrell V. Wylie, who described the scheme in an article, A Standard System of Tibetan Transcription, published in 1959...
: 'jigs med rdo rje dbang phyuk; May 2, 1928 – July 21, 1972) was the Third Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan.
He began to open Bhutan
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...
to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first steps toward democratization
Democratization
Democratization is the transition to a more democratic political regime. It may be the transition from an authoritarian regime to a full democracy, a transition from an authoritarian political system to a semi-democracy or transition from a semi-authoritarian political system to a democratic...
. Upon succeeding his father, Jigme Wangchuck, on 27 October 1952, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck put an end to feudalism and slavery
Slavery in Bhutan
Slavery in Bhutan was a common legal economic and social institution until abolition in 1958. In historical records, unfree labourers in Bhutan were referred to as slaves, coolies, and serfs...
and released all remaining serf
SERF
A spin exchange relaxation-free magnetometer is a type of magnetometer developed at Princeton University in the early 2000s. SERF magnetometers measure magnetic fields by using lasers to detect the interaction between alkali metal atoms in a vapor and the magnetic field.The name for the technique...
s. He encouraged certain modern inventions to assist the local peasantry and introduced wheel
Wheel
A wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
ed vehicles, where previously the transportation of crops and people was done manually. He established a High court and reorganized the judicial system. In 1953, he established the Tshogdu or National Assembly
National Assembly of Bhutan
The National Assembly is the elected lower house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council. It is the more powerful house.- Current National Assembly :...
- Bhutan's first unicameral Parliament.
During his reign Bhutan's first planned economic development plan was drafted. In 1961, a five-year economic development plan was launched for the years 1961-1966. Bhutan is still following this economic development plan. He created Bhutan's first Council of Ministers in 1968. In 1963, Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan
Colombo Plan
The Colombo Plan is a regional organization that embodies the concept of collective inter-governmental effort to strengthen economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific Region...
. During his 20-year reign, 1770 km of roads were constructed, the number of schools rose to 102 and 6 hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s were established. In 1971, he set up a Planning Commission.
Neighboring Tibet's union
Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet
The Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, or the Seventeen Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet for short, is the document by which the delegates of the 14th Dalai Lama allegedly reached an...
with the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
in 1951 encouraged the king to foster stronger ties with foreign nations, especially India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and culminated with Bhutan
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...
joining the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in 1971. At the same time, he empowered the National Assembly to remove him or any of his successors with a two-thirds majority.
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck suffered his first heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
at the age of twenty. He made frequent visits overseas for medical treatment, dying in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, while receiving medical treatment in 1972.
Family life
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the former King of Bhutan. He was the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan from 1972 until his abdication in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006...
, succeeded him as King of Bhutan. His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck has four daughters, the eldest being HRH Ashi Sonam Choden Wangchuck, who has two children, Dasho Mila and Ashi Maytho. The King's second-eldest daughter, HRH Ashi Dechen Wangmo Wangchuck, has two children, Dasho Zillnon Dorji and Ashi Mendharawa Dorji. The King's third daughter is HRH Ashi Pem Pem, who has one daughter named Ashi Kesang Choden.The King's youngest daughter is HRH Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck, who has four children, Dasho Jigme Namgyel Dorji, Ashi Tenzin Wangmo, Dasho Singye Palden, and Dasho Ugyen Norbu.
Styles
- 1929-1944: Dasho Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
- 1944-1946: Trongsa Dronyar Dasho Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
- 1946-1952: Para Penlop Dasho Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
- 1952-1963: His Highness MaharajaMaharajaMahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
SriSriSri , also transliterated as Shri or Shree or shre is a word of Sanskrit origin, used in the Indian subcontinent as polite form of address equivalent to the English "Mr." in written and spoken language, or as a title of veneration for deities .-Etymology:Sri has the root meaning of radiance, or...
Panch Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Maharaja of Bhutan - 1963-1972: His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Mang-pos Bhur-ba'i rgyalpo, King of Bhutan