Timeline of Bhutanese history
Encyclopedia
This is a timeline of Bhutan
ese history. To read about the background to these events, see History of Bhutan
. See also the List of rulers of Bhutan and the list of years in Bhutan.
This timeline is incomplete; some important events may be missing. Please help add to it.
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...
ese history. To read about the background to these events, see History of Bhutan
History of Bhutan
Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure. It may have been inhabited as early as 2000 BC, but not much was known until the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 9th century, when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In the 12th century, the Drukpa...
. See also the List of rulers of Bhutan and the list of years in Bhutan.
This timeline is incomplete; some important events may be missing. Please help add to it.
Prehistory
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 BCE | Earliest known human inhabitants of Bhutan. | |
| 500 BCE – 600 CE | Bhutan, called Monyul and Lhomon, is thought to have coalesced as a polity beyond the pale of Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan... . |
7th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 600–650 | During the reign of Kumar Bhaskara Varman Kumar Bhaskara Varman Kumar Bhaskara Varman was the last and most illustrious of the Varman dynasty rulers of the Kamarupa Kingdom. He came to power after his brother Supratishthita Varman had died. A bachelor king, he died without an heir... of the Kamarupa kingdom, parts of Bhutan come under 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... n control. |
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| 627-49 | Tibetan ruler Songtsän Gampo (reigned 627–49) ordered the construction of many Buddhist Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... temples, including two in Bhutan: Jambay Lhakhang Jambay Lhakhang Jambay Lhakhang, also spelled Jampey Lhakhang or Jampa, is located in Bumthang in Bhutan, and is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 AD on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever.-Legend:... at Bumthang Bumthang District Bumthang District is one of the 20 dzongkhag comprising Bhutan. It is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites is counted... in central Bhutan, and Kyichu Lhakhang Kyichu Lhakhang Kyichu Lhakhang, is an important Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lamgong Gewog of Paro District in Bhutan.-History:... at Kyichu in the Paro Valley. The construction of these temples marked the arrival of Buddhism in Bhutan Buddhism in Bhutan Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion of Bhutan, and Buddhists comprise two-thirds to three-quarters of its population. Although originating in Tibetan Buddhism, the Buddhism practiced in Bhutan differs significantly in its rituals, liturgy, and monastic organization... . |
8th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 747 | Buddhist saint Padmasambhava Padmasambhava Padmasambhava ; Mongolian ловон Бадмажунай, lovon Badmajunai, , Means The Lotus-Born, was a sage guru from Oddiyāna who is said to have transmitted Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet and neighbouring countries in the 8th century... , known in Bhutan as Guru Rimpoche, comes to Bhutan from 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... at the invitation of the King Sendha Gyab (Sindhu Raja) of Bumthang Bumthang Bumthang may refer to:* Bumthang , officially Jakar* Bumthang District* Bumthang River* Bumthang Kingdom* Bumthang language* Bumthang Province* Bumthang Valley... , one of the numerous kingdoms predating modern Bhutan. Guru Rimpoche converts the king to Buddhism Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... and then continues to Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... . When he returns to Bhutan at the invitation of Trisong Detsen Trisong Detsen Trisong Detsän or Trisong Detsen ཁྲི་སྲོང་ལྡེ་བཙན , was the son of Me Agtsom and one of the emperors of Tibet and ruled... , he oversees the construction of new monasteries in the Paro Valley and sets up his headquarters in Bumthang Bumthang Bumthang may refer to:* Bumthang , officially Jakar* Bumthang District* Bumthang River* Bumthang Kingdom* Bumthang language* Bumthang Province* Bumthang Valley... . According to tradition, Guru Rimpoche thus founds the Nyingma Nyingma The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century... , or "Red Hat," sect of Mahayana Buddhism. Guru Rimpoche plays a great historical and religious role as the national patron saint who revealed the tantra Tantra Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures .... s to Bhutan. He returned for a third visit during the reign of Murthi Tsenpo (764–817), son of Trisong Detsen. |
9th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 807 | The great Indian Buddhist sage from Nalanda, Guru Padmasambhava Padmasambhava Padmasambhava ; Mongolian ловон Бадмажунай, lovon Badmajunai, , Means The Lotus-Born, was a sage guru from Oddiyāna who is said to have transmitted Vajrayana Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet and neighbouring countries in the 8th century... the Lotus-born, comes to Bhutan. |
|
| 809 | Guru Padma Sambhava comes again to Bhutan. Around the same time, independent monarchies develop. | |
| 824 | Tibetan King Tritsun Desten Ralpacan Ralpacan , born c. 806, the Year of the Dog was, according to traditional sources, the 41st King of Tibet, ruling from the death of his father, Sadnalegs, in c. 815, until 838 CE... (reigned 816–836), also called Ralpachen and grandson of Trisong Detsen Trisong Detsen Trisong Detsän or Trisong Detsen ཁྲི་སྲོང་ལྡེ་བཙན , was the son of Me Agtsom and one of the emperors of Tibet and ruled... , goes to war with an Indian Indian people Indian people or Indisians constitute the Asian nation and pan-ethnic group native to India, which forms the south of Asia, containing 17.31% of the world's population. The Indian nationality is in essence made up of regional nationalities, reflecting the rich and complex history of India... ruler in Bhutan, driving him out. Tibetan troops who remained in Bhutan were called Milog, meaning "those that will not return." The region they settle is referred to as Tshochhen Gyed. Its eight parts or divisions are Wang, Be, Med, Kawang, Chang, Thi, Thim, and Lar. |
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| 836 | Tibetan King Tritsun Desten is murdered by agents of his brother Langdharma. Tibetans Tibetan people The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan... seek refuge in Bhutan from ensuing political and religious upheaval during the reign of Langdharma (836–842). After Langdharma's assassination in 842, Tibetans continue to flee to western Bhutan, the Ngalop Ngalop The Ngalop are people of Tibetan origin who migrated to Bhutan as early as the ninth century. For this reason, they are often referred to in literature as "Bhote"... homeland. The centuries that follow are characterized by their lack of political cohesion. During much of this period, the dominant polity was the kingdom of Bumthang Bumthang Bumthang may refer to:* Bumthang , officially Jakar* Bumthang District* Bumthang River* Bumthang Kingdom* Bumthang language* Bumthang Province* Bumthang Valley... . |
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| In the late 9th century, ethnic Tibetan Tibetan people The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan... forces expel Indian Indian people Indian people or Indisians constitute the Asian nation and pan-ethnic group native to India, which forms the south of Asia, containing 17.31% of the world's population. The Indian nationality is in essence made up of regional nationalities, reflecting the rich and complex history of India... princes from parts of modern Bhutan. Tibetans in this period and location develop the roots of Ngalop Ngalop The Ngalop are people of Tibetan origin who migrated to Bhutan as early as the ninth century. For this reason, they are often referred to in literature as "Bhote"... culture. |
11th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| ca. 1000 | By the 11th century, Tibetan-Mongol forces occupy the whole of Bhutan. More waves of Tibetans Tibetan people The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan... seek refuge in Bhutan from religious persecution. Charismatic lamas become the de facto leaders of regions in western Bhutan. |
12th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1180 | Tibetan lama Gyarey Yeshe Dorji Tsangpa Gyare The great ascetic Drogon Tsangpa Gyare was the main disciple of Lingchen Repa Pema Dorj and the founder of the Drukpa Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism the main or central branch of which was, until the 17th Century, transmitted by his hereditary family lineage at Ralung in the Tsang region of western... (1161–1211) founds Ralung Monastery Ralung Monastery Ralung Monastery , located in the Tsang region of western Tibet, south of the Karo La , is the traditional seat of the Drukpa order of Tibetan Buddhism... of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage, named after the thunder dragons (druk Druk The Druk is the "Thunder Dragon" of Bhutanese mythology and a Bhutanese national symbol. A druk appears on the Bhutanese Flag, holding jewels to represent wealth. In the Dzongkha language, Bhutan is called Druk Yul, or Land of Druk, and Bhutanese leaders are called Druk Gyalpo, Dragon Kings... ) he witnessed on his quest for an appropriate foundation site. With the proliferation of the Drukpa Kagyu sect, the druk Druk The Druk is the "Thunder Dragon" of Bhutanese mythology and a Bhutanese national symbol. A druk appears on the Bhutanese Flag, holding jewels to represent wealth. In the Dzongkha language, Bhutan is called Druk Yul, or Land of Druk, and Bhutanese leaders are called Druk Gyalpo, Dragon Kings... becomes synonymous with Bhutan and later its central national symbol National symbols of Bhutan The national symbols of Bhutan include the national flag, national emblem, national anthem, and the mythical druk thunder dragon featured in all three. Other distinctive symbols of Bhutan and its dominant Ngalop culture include Dzongkha, the national language; the Bhutanese monarchy; and the... . |
14th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1360s | Tibetan Tibetan people The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan... Gelugpa monks flee to Bhutan. |
15th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1475 | Pema Lingpa Pema Lingpa Pema Lingpa or Padma Lingpa was a famous saint and siddha of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. He was a preeminent terton , and is considered to be foremost of the Five Terton Kings... , a Bhutanese religious figure from Bumthang Bumthang Bumthang may refer to:* Bumthang , officially Jakar* Bumthang District* Bumthang River* Bumthang Kingdom* Bumthang language* Bumthang Province* Bumthang Valley... , discovered his first terma Terma Terma can refer to:*Terma , traditions of revelation in Tibetan Buddhism, Bön and the Greater Himalayan region*"Terma" , an episode of The X-Files*Terma A/S, a Danish company... from Lake Membar Tsho near Bumthang. |
17th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1616 | Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, facing arrest and following visions in which it is said that the chief guardian deities of Bhutan offered him a home, leaves Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... to establish a new base in western Bhutan, founding Cheri Monastery Cheri Monastery Chagri Dorjeden Monastery also called "Cheri Monastery" is a Buddhist monastery in Bhutan established in 1620, by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. the founder of the Butanese state.... at the head of Thimphu valley. |
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| 1627 | Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal builds Simtokha Dzong Simtokha Dzong Simtokha Dzong is a small dzong, located about 3 miles south of the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan, the dzong is the first of its kind built in Bhutan. An important historical monument and former Buddhist monastery, today it houses one... at the entrance to Thimphu valley. From this dzong he exerts control over traffic between the powerful Paro valley to the west and Trongsa valley to the east. |
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| Circa 1627, during the first war with Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... , Portuguese Portuguese people The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion.... Jesuit Estêvão Cacella Estêvão Cacella Estêvão Cacella was a Portuguese Jesuit missionary.-Life:Cacella was born in Aviz in 1585, joined the Jesuits at the age of nineteen, and sailed for India in 1614 where he worked for some years in Kerala... and another priest were the first recorded Europeans to visit Bhutan on their way to Tibet. They met with Ngawang Namgyal Ngawang Namgyal Ngawang Namgyal was a Tibetan Buddhist lama and the unifier of Bhutan as a nation state... , presented him with firearms, gunpowder Gunpowder Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer... and a telescope Telescope A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of remote objects by collecting electromagnetic radiation . The first known practical telescopes were invented in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1600s , using glass lenses... , and offered him their services in the war against Tibet, but the shabdrung declined the offer. After a stay of nearly eight months, Cacella wrote a long letter from the Chagri Monastery reporting the travel. This is a rare report of the Shabdrung remaining. |
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| 1629 | Attempted Tibetan invasion fails. | |
| 1631 | Attempted Tibetan invasion fails. | |
| 1634 | Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal prevails in the Battle of Five Lamas Battle of Five Lamas The Battle of Five Lamas was a battle in 1634 in which Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal prevailed over the Tibetan and Bhutanese forces allied against him... over the Tibetan 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... and Bhutanese forces allied against him. The Shabdrung is thus the first to unite Bhutan into a single country. The Shabdrung establishes the Drukpa Lineage as the state religion under the dual system of government Dual system of government The Dual System of Government or Cho-sid-nyi is the traditional diarchal political system of Tibetan peoples whereby the Desi coexists with the spiritual authority of the realm, usually unified under a third single ruler. The actual distribution of power between institutions varied over time and... , and codifies the system of laws known as the Tsa Yig Tsa Yig The Tsa Yig is any monastic constitution or code of moral discipline based on codified Tibetan Buddhist precepts. Every Tibetan monastery and convent had its own Tsa Yig, and the variation in Tsa Yig content shows a degree of autonomy and internal democracy.... , based on Buddhist religious law (dharma Dharma Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender... ). |
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| 1639 | Attempted Tibetan invasion fails. | |
| 1643 | A joint Mongol-Tibetan force sought to destroy Nyingma Nyingma The Nyingma tradition is the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism . "Nyingma" literally means "ancient," and is often referred to as Nga'gyur or the "old school" because it is founded on the first translations of Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into Tibetan, in the eighth century... pa refugees who had fled to Bhutan, Sikkim Sikkim Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains... , and 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... . The Mongols had seized control of religious and civil power in Tibet in the 1630s and established Gelugpa as the state religion. Bhutanese rivals of Ngawang Namgyal encouraged the Mongol intrusion, but the Mongol force was easily defeated in the humid lowlands of southern Bhutan. |
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| 1647 | Attempted Tibetan invasion fails. | |
| 1651 | Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal dies, however his death is kept a secret for fifty-four years in order to keep Bhutan from disintegrating. While the Shabdrung was supposedly away on an extended religious retreat, his son reigned in fact. | |
| 1680 | Bhutan invades Sikkim Sikkim Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains... . The same year, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal's son is succeeded by the Shabdrung's stepbrother. |
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| 1700 | Bhutan invades Sikkim. |
18th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1714 | Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... an forces, aided by the Mongols Mongols Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia... , invade Bhutan but fail to gain control. |
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| 1730 | Cooch Behar Cooch Behar Cooch Behar is the district headquarters and the largest city of Cooch Behar District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and located at . Cooch Behar is the only planned town in North Bengal region with remnants of royal heritage... first requests Bhutanese assistance in repelling Mughal Empire Mughal Empire The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids... encroachments, establishing a dependent relationship with Bhutan. |
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| 1770 | Bhutan invades Sikkim, supported by troops from Cooch Behar Cooch Behar Cooch Behar is the district headquarters and the largest city of Cooch Behar District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and located at . Cooch Behar is the only planned town in North Bengal region with remnants of royal heritage... . |
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| 1772 | In a succession dispute in Cooch Behar Cooch Behar Cooch Behar is the district headquarters and the largest city of Cooch Behar District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and located at . Cooch Behar is the only planned town in North Bengal region with remnants of royal heritage... , the Druk Desi's nominee for the throne was opposed by a rival who invited British troops; in effect, Cooch Behar became a dependency of the British East India Company British East India Company The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China... . |
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| 1772–3 | British expeditionary forces drive Bhutanese garrisons out of Cooch Behar Cooch Behar Cooch Behar is the district headquarters and the largest city of Cooch Behar District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and located at . Cooch Behar is the only planned town in North Bengal region with remnants of royal heritage... , until that time a Bhutanese dependency. The Druk Desi Druk Desi The Druk Desi ;The original title is Dzongkha: སྡེ་སྲིད་ཕྱག་མཛོད་; Wylie: sde-srid phyag-mdzod. was the title of the secular rulers of Bhutan under the dual system of government between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries... petitions Lhasa unsuccessfully for assistance. |
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| 1774 | April 25 | The Druk Desi signs a Treaty of Peace with the British East India Company British East India Company The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China... . Under the treaty, Bhutan returns to its pre-1730 boundaries and allows the British to harvest timber in Bhutan. |
| 1784 | British government turns over to Bhutan the Bengal Bengal Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous... Duars Duars The Dooars or Duars are the floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India around Bhutan. Duar means door in Assamese, Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Bengali languages, and the region forms the gateway to Bhutan from India. There were 18 passages or gateways through... territory, where boundaries had been poorly defined. As in its other foreign territories, Bhutan left administration of the Bengal Duars territory to local officials and collected its revenues. |
19th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1815 | British mission to Thimphu fails to reach a conclusion amid increasing border tensions. | |
| 1838 | British mission to Thimphu offers Bhutan a treaty providing for the extradition of Bhutanese officials responsible for incursions into Assam Assam Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country... , free and unrestricted commerce between India and Bhutan, and settlement of Bhutan's debt to the British. In an attempt to protect its independence, Bhutan rejected the British offer. |
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| 1841 | British annex Bhutanese controlled Assam Assam Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country... Duars Duars The Dooars or Duars are the floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India around Bhutan. Duar means door in Assamese, Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Bengali languages, and the region forms the gateway to Bhutan from India. There were 18 passages or gateways through... , paying a compensation of 10,000 rupees a year to Bhutan. |
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| 1842 | Bhutan cedes control of the troublesome Bengal Bengal Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous... Duars Duars The Dooars or Duars are the floodplains and foothills of the eastern Himalayas in North-East India around Bhutan. Duar means door in Assamese, Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Bengali languages, and the region forms the gateway to Bhutan from India. There were 18 passages or gateways through... to Britain. |
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| 1862 | Bhutanese forces raid Sikkim and Cooch Behar; the British respond by withholding all compensation payments and demanding release of all captives and return of stolen property. These demands went unheeded by the Druk Desi, as he was alleged to be unaware of frontier officials' raids. | |
| 1864 | Britain sends a peace mission to Bhutan in the wake of a recent civil war, during a period when two rival claimants to the office of Druk Desi competed for power. Though the British attempt to deal with both Druk Desis, the peace mission is rejected by Bhutan. | |
| 1864 | November | Britain declares war on Bhutan (the Duar War Duar War The Bhutan War was a war fought between British India and Bhutan in 1864–1865.Britain sent a peace mission to Bhutan in early 1864, in the wake of the recent conclusion of a civil war there, under Ashley Eden... ). The war lasts five months, resulting in Bhutan's defeat and cession of significant territory under the Treaty of Sinchula. |
| 1865 | November 11 | Bhutan signs the Treaty of Sinchula, ceding territories in the Assam Duars and Bengal Duars, as well as the eighty-three-square-kilometer territory of Dewangiri in southeastern Bhutan, in return for an annual subsidy of 50,000 rupees. |
| 1870–1880 | In the 1870s and 1880s, renewed competition among regional rivals — primarily the pro-British penlop of Trongsa and the anti-British, pro-Tibetan penlop Penlop Penlop is a Dzongkha term roughly translated as governor. Bhutanese penlops, prior to unification, controlled certain districts of the country, but now hold no administrative office... of Paro Paro Province Paro Province was one of the nine historical Provinces of Bhutan.Paro Province occupied lands in western Bhutan, corresponding approximately to modern Paro District. It was administered from the Paro Dzong in the town of Paro... — resulted in the ascendancy of Ugyen Wangchuck Ugyen Wangchuck Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck was the first King of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926.He was born in 1862 to Jigme Namgyal, penlop of Trongsa and Ashi Pema Choki. He succeeded his father as Penlop of Trongsa... , the penlop of Trongsa. |
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| 1885 | Ugyen Wangchuck Ugyen Wangchuck Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck was the first King of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926.He was born in 1862 to Jigme Namgyal, penlop of Trongsa and Ashi Pema Choki. He succeeded his father as Penlop of Trongsa... , penlop Penlop Penlop is a Dzongkha term roughly translated as governor. Bhutanese penlops, prior to unification, controlled certain districts of the country, but now hold no administrative office... (governor) of Trongsa Trongsa Trongsa, previously Tongsa , is a town and capital of Trongsa District in central Bhutan. The name means "new village" in Dzongkha. The first temple was built in 1543 by the Drukpa Kagyu lama, Ngagi Wangchuk, who was the great-grandfather of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the person who unified... , puts down civil unrest across Bhutan, consolidates power, and cultivates closer ties with British India. |
20th century
| Year | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | The last reigning Shabdrung dies, and a successor is not found until 1906. In the meantime, the civil administration comes under the power of the Ugyen Wangchuck Ugyen Wangchuck Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck was the first King of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926.He was born in 1862 to Jigme Namgyal, penlop of Trongsa and Ashi Pema Choki. He succeeded his father as Penlop of Trongsa... as Desi Desi Desi or Deshi refers to the people, cultures, and products of the Indian subcontinent and, increasingly, to the people, cultures, and products of their diaspora. Desi countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh... . |
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| 1903–4 | Ugyen Wangchuck volunteers to accompany a British mission to Lhasa as a mediator in the British expedition to Tibet British expedition to Tibet The British expedition to Tibet during 1903 and 1904 was an invasion of Tibet by British Indian forces, whose mission was to establish diplomatic relations and trade between the British Raj and Tibet... and resulting Anglo-Tibetan Convention. In return, Ugyen is knighted and thereafter continues to accrue greater power in Bhutan. |
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| 1907 | December 17 | Ugyen Wangchuck is elected Bhutan's first hereditary ruler (Druk Gyalpo) after having politically unified the country. |
| 1910 | January 8 | 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... amends two articles of the 1865 Treaty of Sinchula: the British agree to double the annual stipend to 100,000 rupees and "to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan." In turn, Bhutan agrees "to be guided by the advice of the British Government in regard to its external relations." |
| 1926 | August 21 | King Ugyen Wangchuck dies; his son Jigme Wangchuck begins to reign. |
| 1927 | March 16 | Coronation of Jigme Wangchuck. |
| 1931 | The 7th Shabdrung Shabdrung Shabdrung , was a title used when referring to or addressing great lamas in Tibet, particularly those who held a hereditary lineage... Jigme Dorji dies at Talo monastery. Jigme Dorji is the last Shabdrung recognized by the government of Bhutan, though subsequent claimants to the incarnation continue today. |
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| 1947 | The British Empire leaves India, and direct political by the British ends. Bhutan remains relatively isolated from international affairs. | |
| 1949 | August 8 | India and Bhutan sign the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which provided that India would not interfere in Bhutan's internal affairs but that Bhutan would be guided by India in its foreign policy. This is the first international agreement that unambiguously recognizes Bhutan's independence and sovereignty. The same year, India cedes to Bhutan some territories lost to the British in the 1865 Treaty of Sinchula. |
| 1952 | March 24 | King Jigme Wangchuck dies; his son Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Jigme Dorji Wangchuck 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... begins to reign. Bhutan begins a program of planned development and democratization. The same year, the 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 :... is established, and the post of Chief Minister (Gongzim) is abolished. |
| 1957 | Major GLOF from glacial lakes Glaciers of Bhutan The glaciers of Bhutan, which covered about 10 percent of the total surface area in the 1980s, are an important renewable source of water for Bhutan's rivers. Fed by fresh snow each winter and slow melting in the summer, the glaciers bring millions of litres of fresh water to Bhutan and downriver... . |
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| 1958 | 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... is abolished. |
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| The first Nationality Act Bhutanese Citizenship Act 1958 The Bhutanese Citizenship Act of 1958, officially the Nationality Law of Bhutan, 1958, is a decree by the Druk Gyalpo King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, recognizing the definition of a Bhutanese citizen... is enacted, defining Bhutanese citizenship and introducing a compulsory registration process. |
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| 1959 | Bhutanese enclaves in western Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... are seized by the Chinese 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... . |
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| 1960 | Major GLOF from glacial lakes Glaciers of Bhutan The glaciers of Bhutan, which covered about 10 percent of the total surface area in the 1980s, are an important renewable source of water for Bhutan's rivers. Fed by fresh snow each winter and slow melting in the summer, the glaciers bring millions of litres of fresh water to Bhutan and downriver... . |
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| 1961 | First Five-Year Plan Five-Year Plans of Bhutan The Five Year Plans of Bhutan are a series of national economic development plans created by the government of Bhutan since 1961.The government of Bhutan has played a pervasive role in its economy and development... is introduced. |
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| 1964 | April 5 | Prime Minister Jigme Palden Dorji Jigme Palden Dorji Jigme Palden Dorji was a Bhutanese politician and member of the Dorji family. By marriage, he was also a member of the House of Wangchuck.... is assassinated in a dispute among competing political factions. The King's own uncle, a military cadre, was among those executed for their role in the attempted coup. After a brief tenure by acting Prime Minister Lhendup Dorji Lhendup Dorji Dasho Lhendup Dorji was a member of the powerful and respected Dorji family of Bhutan. He served as acting Lonchen following the assassination of his brother, Lonchen Jigme Palden Dorji, on April 5, 1964... , the post of Prime Minister is abolished until 1998. |
| 1965 | Unsuccessful attempt to assassinate King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Jigme Dorji Wangchuck 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... . |
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| 1966 | The capital is moved from Punakha Punakha thumb|right|Punakha Dzong and the [[Mo Chhu]]Punakha is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it... to Thimphu Thimphu Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961... through a transition period when Punakha was the winter capital and Thimphu the summer capital. |
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| 1968 | King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck establishes the first Council of Ministers Lhengye Zhungtshog The Lhengye Zhungtshog is the highest executive body in Bhutan. It was created in 1999 by Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan.... , or executive cabinet. At the same time, the king renounces his power of veto, which had never been used. The king also creates the High Court (the Thimkhang Gongma) and empowers it to review the king's decisions. The Bank of Bhutan is also founded as a central bank, charged with supervising the transition from a barter economy to a monetary economy. |
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| Major GLOF from glacial lakes Glaciers of Bhutan The glaciers of Bhutan, which covered about 10 percent of the total surface area in the 1980s, are an important renewable source of water for Bhutan's rivers. Fed by fresh snow each winter and slow melting in the summer, the glaciers bring millions of litres of fresh water to Bhutan and downriver... . |
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| 1969 | Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Jigme Dorji Wangchuck 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... called for a triennial vote of confidence by the National Assembly to renew the Druk Gyalpo's mandate to rule. This vote was later abolished by his successor. |
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| 1970 | Bhutan's population reaches an estimated 300,000. | |
| 1971 | Bhutan joins 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... . |
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| 1972 | July 21 | King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck dies; his son Jigme Singye Wangchuck 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... begins to reign. |
| 1974 | April–March | Strains between the Wangchucks and Dorjis Dorji family The Dorji family of Bhutan has been a prominent and powerful political family in the kingdom since the 19th century. The family has produced Chief Ministers, Prime Ministers, governors, and even monarchs... were relieved with the return that year of the exiled members of the latter family. The reconciliation, however, was preceded by reports of a plot to assassinate the new Druk Gyalpo before his coronation could take place and to set fire to the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of government in Thimphu Thimphu Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961... . Yangki, the Druk Gyalpo's Tibetan mistress, was the alleged force behind the plot. Thirty persons were arrested, including high government and police officials. |
| June 2 | Coronation of Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The same year, the first foreign tourists are allowed to enter Bhutan. | |
| 1978 | Bhutan's population reaches an estimated 400,000. | |
| 1982 | The Royal Government establishes the Royal Monetary Authority Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan is the central bank of Bhutan and is a member of the Asian Clearing Union. It is also the minting authority for the Bhutanese ngultrum. The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan was established under the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan Act of 1982... , the central bank of Bhutan. |
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| 1985 | June 10 | The Bhutanese Citizenship Act 1985 is enacted. |
| 1986 | Bhutan's population reaches an estimated 500,000. | |
| One thousand illegal Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... laborers are expelled. |
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| 1987 | Gasa District Gasa District Gasa District or Gasa Dzongkhag is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. Its capital is Gasa Dzong near Gasa. It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas. The dominant language of the district is Dzongkha, the national language... is split up among Punakha Punakha District Punakha District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. It is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang Districts... and Thimphu District Thimphu District Thimphu District is a dzongkhag of Bhutan. Thimphu is also the capital of Bhutan and the largest city in the whole kingdom.-Languages:... s; Chhukha District is carved out from parts of Samtse Samtse District Samtse District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan.-History and culture:... , Paro Paro District Paro District is the name of a district , valley, river and town in Bhutan. It is one of the most historic valleys in Bhutan. Both trade goods and invading Tibetans came over the pass at the head of the valley, giving Paro the closest cultural connection with Tibet of any Bhutanese district... , and Thimphu District Thimphu District Thimphu District is a dzongkhag of Bhutan. Thimphu is also the capital of Bhutan and the largest city in the whole kingdom.-Languages:... s. |
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| 1988 | Bhutan conducts its first census. As a result, many Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... (ethnic Nepalis) are branded as illegal immigrants. |
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| After a census, the government begins evicting those it identifies as illegal immigrants among the Nepali-speaking population in southern Bhutan. Over two decades, the population of Bhutanese refugees in refugee camp Refugee camp A refugee camp is a temporary settlement built to receive refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people may live in any one single camp. Usually they are built and run by a government, the United Nations, or international organizations, or NGOs.Refugee camps are generally set up in an impromptu... s in neighboring 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... climbed to 107,000 by 2008 according to UNHCR. |
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| 1989 | The driglam namzha Driglam namzha The Driglam Namzha is the official behaviour and dress code of the Kingdom of Bhutan. It governs how citizens should dress in public and how they should behave in formal settings. It also regulates a number of cultural assets such as art and architecture... , the official behaviour and dress code, is elevated from recommended to mandatory in public and educational settings. Nepali ceases to be a language of instruction in schools, escalating tensions between Ngalop Ngalop The Ngalop are people of Tibetan origin who migrated to Bhutan as early as the ninth century. For this reason, they are often referred to in literature as "Bhote"... s and Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... s. |
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| Tek Nath Rizal, leader of the Bhutan Peoples' Party Bhutan Peoples' Party The Bhutan Peoples' Party is a democratic socialist party in Bhutan, currently working in exile in Nepal. Founded on June 2, 1990 in West Bengal, it was the first political party in Bhutan... , is arrested and imprisoned. |
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| 1990 | Violent ethnic unrest and anti-government protests in southern Bhutan pressing for greater democracy and respect for minority rights. The Bhutan Peoples' Party Bhutan Peoples' Party The Bhutan Peoples' Party is a democratic socialist party in Bhutan, currently working in exile in Nepal. Founded on June 2, 1990 in West Bengal, it was the first political party in Bhutan... , whose members are mostly Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... , begin a campaign of violence against the government. Pro-government citizen militias form in response to rising crime and violence including clashes between Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... demonstrators and the Royal Bhutan Army Royal Bhutan Army The Royal Bhutan Army , or RBA, is a branch of the armed forces of the Kingdom of Bhutan responsible for maintaining the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty against security threats. The King of Bhutan is the Supreme Commander in Chief of the RBA... . The Bhutan Peoples' Party is subsequently banned. |
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| 1991 | Jigme Singye Wangchuck 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... threatens to abdicate in face of hardline opposition in the 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 :... to his efforts to resolve ethnic unrest, leaving an international summit to attend to unrest. |
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| 1992 | Tek Nath Rizal, leader of the illegal Bhutan Peoples' Party Bhutan Peoples' Party The Bhutan Peoples' Party is a democratic socialist party in Bhutan, currently working in exile in Nepal. Founded on June 2, 1990 in West Bengal, it was the first political party in Bhutan... , is sentenced to life imprisonment. |
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| Gasa District Gasa District Gasa District or Gasa Dzongkhag is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. Its capital is Gasa Dzong near Gasa. It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas. The dominant language of the district is Dzongkha, the national language... is carved out from Punakha District Punakha District Punakha District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. It is bordered by Thimphu, Gasa, and Wangdue Phodrang Districts... ; Tashi Yangtse District is split from Trashigang District. Other district Districts of Bhutan Bhutan comprises twenty districts .-Districts:-District Statistics:The results of the 2005 census appear below:... boundaries are also changed |
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| November 2 | The National Security Act is enacted. The Act defines treason and speech crimes, as well as unlawful assembly, rioting, and states of emergency, providing for lengthy prison sentences, capital punishment Capital punishment in Bhutan In Bhutan, capital punishment has been abolished since March 20, 2004 and is currently prohibited by the 2008 Constitution. The prohibition appears among a number of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Bhutanese Constitution... , and the use of deadly force by the government to stop unlawful demonstrations. |
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| 1994 | Major GLOF from glacial lakes Glaciers of Bhutan The glaciers of Bhutan, which covered about 10 percent of the total surface area in the 1980s, are an important renewable source of water for Bhutan's rivers. Fed by fresh snow each winter and slow melting in the summer, the glaciers bring millions of litres of fresh water to Bhutan and downriver... , devastating Punakha Punakha thumb|right|Punakha Dzong and the [[Mo Chhu]]Punakha is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it... . |
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| 1998–9 | The Council of Ministers (Lhengye Zhungtshog Lhengye Zhungtshog The Lhengye Zhungtshog is the highest executive body in Bhutan. It was created in 1999 by Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King of Bhutan.... ) replaces the cabinet, and King Jigme Singye Wangchuck withdraws from his role in the decision-making of the cabinet. The post of Prime Minister (Lonchen) is restored. |
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| 1999 | Television Television Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound... is introduced. |
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| December 18 | Tek Nath Rizal, leader of the illegal Bhutan Peoples' Party Bhutan Peoples' Party The Bhutan Peoples' Party is a democratic socialist party in Bhutan, currently working in exile in Nepal. Founded on June 2, 1990 in West Bengal, it was the first political party in Bhutan... , is pardoned and released from prison along with some 40 other political prisoners. He goes into exile in 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... , a common condition of release among Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... political dissidents. |
21st century
| Year | Date | Event |
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| 2000 | Bhutan and Nepal reach an agreement regarding the repatriation of certain classes of Bhutanese refugees living in camps Refugee camp A refugee camp is a temporary settlement built to receive refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people may live in any one single camp. Usually they are built and run by a government, the United Nations, or international organizations, or NGOs.Refugee camps are generally set up in an impromptu... in Nepal, subject to joint government verification. Points of contention included that some camp inhabitants were never citizens – or some even residents – of Bhutan before attaining refugee status. Also, the Bhutanese government regarded many political groups among the Nepalese Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... community, such as the Bhutan Peoples' Party Bhutan Peoples' Party The Bhutan Peoples' Party is a democratic socialist party in Bhutan, currently working in exile in Nepal. Founded on June 2, 1990 in West Bengal, it was the first political party in Bhutan... (BPP) and Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP), as terrorist or anti-national groups. |
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| 2001 | March | First verification of Bhutanese refugees eligible for repatriation commences in 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... ese refugee camp Refugee camp A refugee camp is a temporary settlement built to receive refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people may live in any one single camp. Usually they are built and run by a government, the United Nations, or international organizations, or NGOs.Refugee camps are generally set up in an impromptu... s. Actual repatriation is estimated to occur one year out. As of 2011 over 200 refugees in the Khudunabari refugee camp Khudunabari refugee camp Khudunabari refugee camp , located to the northwest of Sanischare, Kosi, Nepal, is home to some 10,688 Bhutanese refugees. The camp lies at a river confluence, between Sanischare Road and Limbuwan Road 37.... alone had been certified, however no Bhutanese refugees had been repatriated. |
| 2002 | Bhutan's population reaches an estimated 600,000. | |
| 2003 | Several guerrilla groups seeking to establish an independent Assamese state in northeast India had set up guerrilla bases in the forests of southern Bhutan from which they launch cross-border attacks on targets in Assam. The largest guerrilla group was the United Liberation Front of Asom United Liberation Front of Asom The United Liberation Front of Asom is a separatist group from Assam, among many other such groups in North-East India. It seeks to establish a sovereign Assam via an armed struggle in the Assam Conflict... (ULFA). Negotiations aimed at removing them peacefully from these bases failed in the spring of 2003. |
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| 2003 | December 15 | The Royal Bhutan Army Royal Bhutan Army The Royal Bhutan Army , or RBA, is a branch of the armed forces of the Kingdom of Bhutan responsible for maintaining the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty against security threats. The King of Bhutan is the Supreme Commander in Chief of the RBA... began military operations against guerrilla camps in southern Bhutan, in coordination with Indian armed forces Indian Army The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army... who lined the border to the south to prevent the guerrillas from dispersing back into Assam. News sources indicated that of the 30 camps that were targeted, 13 were controlled by ULFA, 12 camps by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland National Democratic Front of Bodoland The National Democratic Front of Bodoland, also known as NDFB or the Bodo Security Force, is a terrorist outfit which seeks to obtain a sovereign Bodoland for the Bodo people in Assam, India. The founder of the organization, Ransaigra Nabla Daimary, alias Ranjan Daimary has been arrested and... (NDFB), and 5 camps controlled by the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO). By January 2004, government news reports indicated the guerrillas had been routed from their bases. |
| 2004 | March 20 | Capital punishment in Bhutan Capital punishment in Bhutan In Bhutan, capital punishment has been abolished since March 20, 2004 and is currently prohibited by the 2008 Constitution. The prohibition appears among a number of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Bhutanese Constitution... is abolished. |
| 2005 | March 26 | Proposed constitution is unveiled under which Bhutan would transition from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. |
| 2005 | December | King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announces he will abdicate in 2008, when democratic parliamentary elections are held, and names Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to succeed him. |
| 2006 | January | Authorities arrest two civil servants in the village of Nago in Paro District Paro District Paro District is the name of a district , valley, river and town in Bhutan. It is one of the most historic valleys in Bhutan. Both trade goods and invading Tibetans came over the pass at the head of the valley, giving Paro the closest cultural connection with Tibet of any Bhutanese district... , accusing them of engaging in acts of proselytism under the false pretext of holding an official meeting, maligning the Spiritual Head of Bhutan (Je Khenpo Je Khenpo The Je Khenpo , formerly called the Dharma Raj by orientalists, is the title given to the senior religious hierarch of Bhutan. His primary duty is to lead the Dratshang Lhentshog of Bhutan, which oversees the Central Monastic Body, and to arbitrate on matters of doctrine, assisted by lopons... ), posing as officials on official business, and giving false information. In accordance with provisions in the Penal Code and the National Security Act, both men are found guilty in a district court Dzongkhag Court The Dzongkhag Court exists in each of Bhutan's 20 Dzongkhags, and is the court of first instance of the Royal Court of Justice in 14 of the 20 Dzongkhags of Bhutan. In the remaining 6 Dzongkhags there exists a further subdivision, Dungkhag, which is the basic level of judicial administration in... . Christian groups maintain the men were arrested due to their religious beliefs since, according to these groups, the men were arrested while showing a Christian film in a Buddhist home. They are sentenced in early June 2006 in an open trial with a public hearing to three and a half years and three years in prison. They did not appeal the court judgment, although the right to appeal was provided for by law. On July 28, 2006, both men were released after payment of a fine. |
| 2006 | June–August | Bhutanese refugees in 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... ese refugee camp Refugee camp A refugee camp is a temporary settlement built to receive refugees. Hundreds of thousands of people may live in any one single camp. Usually they are built and run by a government, the United Nations, or international organizations, or NGOs.Refugee camps are generally set up in an impromptu... s protest, pressing for third-country resettlement. |
| 2006 | December 14 | Abdication of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, ahead of the date previously announced; his son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck begins to reign. |
| 2007 | January 5 | The Royal Government enacts the Immigration Act of 2007, amending the Bhutanese Citizenship Act 1985 and establishing the Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs The Bhutanese Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs is the government ministry within the Lhengye Zhungtshog which oversees law and order; the civil administration; immigration services; the issuance of citizenship documents, and other related documents; the... to implement and administer immigration laws through immigration offices. The Act endowed officers of the Department of Immigration with broad police and prosecution powers: they may enter any private or official premises in order to search, arrest, seize, detain, interrogate or to demand forfeiture of any vehicles, trains, vessels, aircraft, or goods. |
| 2007 | February | Bhutan signs an agreement with India giving the kingdom more say in its foreign and defense policies Foreign relations of Bhutan Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 27 states, and with the European Union.In 1971, sponsored by India, Bhutan began to develop its foreign relations by joining the UN, though it has no diplomatic relations with any of the permanent members on the UN Security Council... . |
| 2007 | February 3 | Reports allege the current Shabdrung Shabdrung Shabdrung , was a title used when referring to or addressing great lamas in Tibet, particularly those who held a hereditary lineage... , Pema Namgyel (b. November 20, 2003 – then a small child) had been held under house arrest in Bhutan along with his parents since October 2005, when the family traveled to meet the Reincarnation Committee. The Committee later denied his reincarnation status. |
| 2007 | April | Mock elections are staged to familiarise voters with parliamentary democracy ahead of planned polls in 2008. |
| 2007 | December 31 | First National Council election Bhutanese National Council election, 2007–2008 The general elections to the National Council of Bhutan, the upper house of the new bicameral Parliament of Bhutan were held for the first time on December 31, 2007, though they were originally scheduled for December 26, 2007... for the 20 elected non-partisan seats in National Council National Council of Bhutan The National Council is the upper house of Bhutan's new bicameral Parliament, which also comprises the Druk Gyalpo and the National Assembly. It is the subordinate house, and cannot author monetary or budget-related bills... , Bhutan's upper house. Only 15 out of 20 dzongkhag Dzongkhag A dzongkhag is an administrative and judicial district of Bhutan. The twenty dzongkhags of Bhutan are further divided into 205 gewogs. Some larger dzongkhags have one or more of an intermediate judicial division, known as dungkhags , which themselves comprise two or more gewogs... s (districts), however, were set to begin voting. In Thimphu Thimphu District Thimphu District is a dzongkhag of Bhutan. Thimphu is also the capital of Bhutan and the largest city in the whole kingdom.-Languages:... , Trashiyangtse, Gasa Gasa District Gasa District or Gasa Dzongkhag is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. Its capital is Gasa Dzong near Gasa. It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas. The dominant language of the district is Dzongkha, the national language... , Haa Haa District This page is about the area Haa. For information about the airships, please see high-altitude airship.Haa District is one of the 20 dzongkhag or districts comprising Bhutan. Per the 2005 census, the population of Haa dzongkhag was 11,648, making it the second least populated dzongkhag in Bhutan... and Lhuntse Districts, there were either no candidates or a single candidate, and elections were delayed until January 29, 2008. |
| 2008 | January – February | A series of bombs blast the kingdom ahead of elections slated for March 24. The attacks are blamed on armed Lhotshampa Lhotshampa Lhotshampa, or Lhotsampa, means "southerners" in Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan. The term refers to the heterogeneous ethnic Nepalese population of Bhutan.-History:... groups. |
| 2008 | March 24 | In Bhutan's first parliamentary elections Bhutanese general election, 2008 Bhutan held its first general election on March 24, 2008 for the National Assembly. Two parties were registered by the Election Commission of Bhutan to contest the election: the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party , which was formed by the merger of the previously established Bhutan People's United... , the pro-monarchy Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party The Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party, or Druk Phuensum Tshogpa , is one of the major political parties in Bhutan. It was formed on July 25, 2007 as a merger of the All People's Party and the Bhutan People's United Party, which were both short-lived... wins 45 out of 47 seats in the 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 lower house. Another pro-monarchy party, the People's Democratic Party People's Democratic Party (Bhutan) The People's Democratic Party is one of the major political parties in Bhutan, formed on March 24, 2007. The founder president of this party is Sangay Ngedup, the former prime minister and agriculture minister of the Royal Government of Bhutan... , wins the remaining two seats in Gasa Gasa District Gasa District or Gasa Dzongkhag is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. Its capital is Gasa Dzong near Gasa. It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High Himalayas. The dominant language of the district is Dzongkha, the national language... and Haa District Haa District This page is about the area Haa. For information about the airships, please see high-altitude airship.Haa District is one of the 20 dzongkhag or districts comprising Bhutan. Per the 2005 census, the population of Haa dzongkhag was 11,648, making it the second least populated dzongkhag in Bhutan... s. |
| 2008 | July 18 | The Constitution of Bhutan Constitution of Bhutan The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan... is enacted. The first ever Constitution of Bhutan, it sets forth a bicameral parliamentary democratic framework to safeguard human rights, while enshrining the institution of the monarchy, Drukpa Lineage Buddhism Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... , and traditional Ngalop Ngalop The Ngalop are people of Tibetan origin who migrated to Bhutan as early as the ninth century. For this reason, they are often referred to in literature as "Bhote"... Bhutanese culture Culture of Bhutan Cradled in the folds of the Himalayas, Bhutan has relied on its geographic isolation to protect itself from outside cultural influences. A sparsely populated country bordered by India to the south and China to the north, Bhutan has long maintained a policy of strict isolationism, both culturally... . |
| 2008 | November | The government of India Government of India The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India... alleges links between Assamese separatists Assamese Separatist Movement The Assamese Separatist Movement is a result of Assamese nationalism. The alleged neglect and economic exploitation by the Indian state are the main reasons behind the growth of this secessionist movement... and the illegal Bhutanese Druk National Congress. |
| 2008 | November 6 | Coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. |
| 2009 | April | Huanglongbing virus decimates Bhutan's orange crop, an important export for the kingdom. |
| 2009 | September 11 | Parliament Parliament of Bhutan The Parliament of Bhutan consists of the King of Bhutan together with a bicameral parliament.Constitution: Art. 1, § 3; Art. 10 This bicameral parliament is made up of an upper house, the National Council and a lower house, the National Assembly.Constitution: Art. 11; Art... enacts the Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 Local Government Act of Bhutan 2009 The Local Government Act of Bhutan was enacted on September 11, 2009, by parliament of Bhutan in order to further implement its program of decentralization and devolution of power and authority.Local Gov't Act 2008: Preamble It is the most recent reform of the law on Bhutan's administrative... , the sixth legislative reform of Bhutanese local governments since 1999. The Act devolves various administrative powers to Dzongkhag Dzongkhag A dzongkhag is an administrative and judicial district of Bhutan. The twenty dzongkhags of Bhutan are further divided into 205 gewogs. Some larger dzongkhags have one or more of an intermediate judicial division, known as dungkhags , which themselves comprise two or more gewogs... s (districts), Dungkhag Dungkhag A dungkhag is a sub-district of a dzongkhag of Bhutan. The head of a dungkhag is a Dungpa... s (subdistricts), Gewog Gewog A gewog, or geog refers to a group of villages in Bhutan. Gewogs form a geographic administrative unit below dzongkhag districts , and above thromde municipalities. Bhutan comprises 205 gewogs, which average 230 km² in area... s (village blocks), Chiwogs (constituencies), and Thromde Thromde A thromde is a third-level administrative division in Bhutan. The legal administrative status of thromdes was most recently codified under the Local Government Act of 2009, and the role of thromdes in elections in Bhutan was defined in the Election Act of 2008.-Thromde administration:Thromde... s (municipalities) while retaining legislative authority as the sole purview of the central government. |
| 2009 | September 21 | The 6.1-magnitude 2009 Bhutan earthquake 2009 Bhutan earthquake The 2009 Bhutan earthquake was a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred at 14:53 local time, 08:53 UTC, on September 21, 2009 in the eastern region of Bhutan. The epicenter was situated at east of the capital Thimphu, in Mongar District. However, Bangladesh and India also felt it, with buildings... strikes Mongar District Mongar District Mongar District is one of the 20 dzongkhags comprising Bhutan. Mongar is the fastest-developing dzongkhag in eastern Bhutan. A regional hospital has been constructed and the region is bustling with many economic activities. Mongar is noted for its lemon grass, a plant that can be used to produce... , causing at least 12 deaths, extensive destruction, and severe aftershocks in Bhutan. |
| 2010 | March | A district court Dzongkhag Court The Dzongkhag Court exists in each of Bhutan's 20 Dzongkhags, and is the court of first instance of the Royal Court of Justice in 14 of the 20 Dzongkhags of Bhutan. In the remaining 6 Dzongkhags there exists a further subdivision, Dungkhag, which is the basic level of judicial administration in... interprets the constitutional Constitution of Bhutan The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan... clause regarding religious "coercion or inducement" to prohibit not only forced conversion Forced conversion A forced conversion is the religious conversion or acceptance of a philosophy against the will of the subject, often with the threatened consequence of earthly penalties or harm. These consequences range from job loss and social isolation to incarceration, torture or death... but also proselytism Proselytism Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. The word proselytize is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix προσ- and the verb ἔρχομαι in the form of προσήλυτος... in the case of a Christian missionary pastor who used a generator and a projector in a private home on May 21, 2009. The pastor received a sentence of three years imprisonment for infringing the Constitution. |
| 2010 | June 16 | Parliament Parliament of Bhutan The Parliament of Bhutan consists of the King of Bhutan together with a bicameral parliament.Constitution: Art. 1, § 3; Art. 10 This bicameral parliament is made up of an upper house, the National Council and a lower house, the National Assembly.Constitution: Art. 11; Art... enacts the Tobacco Control Act, restricting import and possession, and banning the sale of tobacco Tobacco Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines... in Bhutan. |
| 2011 | January 24 | Sonam Tshering, a 23-year old ordained monk from Langpa in Haa Haa District This page is about the area Haa. For information about the airships, please see high-altitude airship.Haa District is one of the 20 dzongkhag or districts comprising Bhutan. Per the 2005 census, the population of Haa dzongkhag was 11,648, making it the second least populated dzongkhag in Bhutan... , was caught with 480 grams of chewing tobacco (purchased for Nu.120) en route from Phuntsholing Phuntsholing Phuentsholing is a border town in southern Bhutan, and is the administrative seat of Chukha District. The town occupies parts of both Phuentsholing Gewog and Sampheling Gewog. Phuentsholing lies opposite the Indian town of Jaigaon, and cross-border trade has resulted in a thriving local economy... to Thimphu Thimphu Thimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961... . This presented the first prosecution under the Tobacco Control Act, and was the result of a private individual informing the police that Tshering possessed tobacco. Although Tshering revealed the source of his tobacco to mitigate and qualify his offense as a misdemeanor, he failed to identify the location and supplier of the tobacco, apparently somewhere in the border town of Jaigaon Jaigaon Jaigaon is a small town in Jalpaiguri district in the Indian state of West Bengal, near the Bhutan border. The town lies at the gateway to Bhutan - Phuentsholing, and is thus a very thriving place of trade... . He was thus convicted of a felony, and sentenced to the minimum imprisonment of three years. The conviction and especially the sentence have made the Tobacco Control Act controversial in urban Bhutan due to their severity. Although the Constitution of Bhutan Constitution of Bhutan The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan... guarantees all persons the right to be represented by a jabmi (attorney), the Thimphu District Court Dzongkhag Court The Dzongkhag Court exists in each of Bhutan's 20 Dzongkhags, and is the court of first instance of the Royal Court of Justice in 14 of the 20 Dzongkhags of Bhutan. In the remaining 6 Dzongkhags there exists a further subdivision, Dungkhag, which is the basic level of judicial administration in... closed the case before any jabmi offered his services. Tshering has since appealed the District Court Dzongkhag Court The Dzongkhag Court exists in each of Bhutan's 20 Dzongkhags, and is the court of first instance of the Royal Court of Justice in 14 of the 20 Dzongkhags of Bhutan. In the remaining 6 Dzongkhags there exists a further subdivision, Dungkhag, which is the basic level of judicial administration in... ruling to the High Court of Bhutan High Court of Bhutan Under the 2008 Constitution, the High Court of Bhutan consists of the Chief Justice and eight Drangpons . The Chief Justice and Drangpons of the High Court are appointed from among juniors, peers, and eminent jurists by the Druk Gyalpo... , for which has retained a private attorney. |
| 2011 | January 23 | Local government elections Bhutanese local government elections, 2011 The Bhutanese local government elections of 2011 were originally slated for 2008, but were delayed until 2011. Elections began on January 20, 2011, however polls opened in only 3 of 20 districts – Thimphu, Chukha District , and Samdrup Jongkhar – as part of a staggered election schedule. Polls... , originally slated for 2008, begin on a staggered scale in 3 of Bhutan's 20 Dzongkhag Dzongkhag A dzongkhag is an administrative and judicial district of Bhutan. The twenty dzongkhags of Bhutan are further divided into 205 gewogs. Some larger dzongkhags have one or more of an intermediate judicial division, known as dungkhags , which themselves comprise two or more gewogs... s: Thimphu Thimphu District Thimphu District is a dzongkhag of Bhutan. Thimphu is also the capital of Bhutan and the largest city in the whole kingdom.-Languages:... , Phuntsholing Phuntsholing Phuentsholing is a border town in southern Bhutan, and is the administrative seat of Chukha District. The town occupies parts of both Phuentsholing Gewog and Sampheling Gewog. Phuentsholing lies opposite the Indian town of Jaigaon, and cross-border trade has resulted in a thriving local economy... , and Samdrup Jongkhar. |
| 2011 | February 24 | The Supreme Court of Bhutan Supreme Court of Bhutan The Supreme Court of Bhutan is the Kingdom's highest court of review and interpreter of the Constitution. The Supreme Court consists of one Chief Justice and five Drangpons... declares unconstitutional the government's raising of personal vehicle import taxes in June 2010 without bicameral presentment and debate, affirming the judgment of the High Court High Court of Bhutan Under the 2008 Constitution, the High Court of Bhutan consists of the Chief Justice and eight Drangpons . The Chief Justice and Drangpons of the High Court are appointed from among juniors, peers, and eminent jurists by the Druk Gyalpo... Constitutional Bench against the Attorney General Attorney General of Bhutan The Office of the Attorney General of Bhutan is the legal arm of the executive branch of the government. It is also the legal adviser of the government and its representative in the judicial system of Bhutan... and for the Opposition in Parliament Parliament of Bhutan The Parliament of Bhutan consists of the King of Bhutan together with a bicameral parliament.Constitution: Art. 1, § 3; Art. 10 This bicameral parliament is made up of an upper house, the National Council and a lower house, the National Assembly.Constitution: Art. 11; Art... . |
| 2011 | June 28 | The Election Commission announces the results of the first local government elections Bhutanese local government elections, 2011 The Bhutanese local government elections of 2011 were originally slated for 2008, but were delayed until 2011. Elections began on January 20, 2011, however polls opened in only 3 of 20 districts – Thimphu, Chukha District , and Samdrup Jongkhar – as part of a staggered election schedule. Polls... under the Constitution of Bhutan Constitution of Bhutan The Constitution of Bhutan was enacted July 18, 2008 by the Royal Government. The Constitution was thoroughly planned by several government officers and agencies over a period of almost seven years amid increasing democratic reforms in Bhutan... . Originally slated for 2008, elections faced multiple delays related to voter registration and constituency demarcation. Furthermore, voter turnout crept to 56% of eligible voters amid public sentiments of distrust and futility. In several instances, voters were unable to cast votes; in a few cases, legally unqualified candidates ran and won seats. Disqualified candidates, uncontested seats, and inconclusive results in some constituencies required the Election Commission to rerun elections at a later date. |
| 2011 | October 13 | King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck marries Jetsun Pema Wedding of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema The wedding of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, and Jetsun Pema took place on 13 October 2011 at the Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Bhutan... . Jetsun Pema Jetsun Pema Jetsun Pema is the sister of the 14th Dalai Lama.-Biography:Jetsun Pema was born in Lhasa, on July 7, 1940. She came to India in 1950 and studied first at St. Joseph's Convent in Kalimpong and later at Loreto Convent in Darjeeling from where she completed her Senior Cambridge in 1960... , childhood friend of the Fifth King, becomes his Queen in a traditional Buddhist ceremony followed by three days of public holiday and celebrations. The much anticipated wedding, announced May 20, was the largest media event Media of Bhutan The various media of Bhutan have historically been government-controlled, although this has changed in recent years. The country has its own newspapers, television and radio broadcasters and Internet Service Providers.- Journalism :... in Bhutanese history. |
| 2011 | December | Bhutanese National Council election Bhutanese National Council election, 2011 National Council elections will be held in Bhutan in December 2011.... is due |