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| Changmey: Tashigang |
The name
"Bhutan" appears to derive from the Sanskrit "Bhotant"
meaning "the end of Tibet" or from "Bhu-uttan" meaning
"high land". Though known as Bhutan to the outside world, the
Bhutanese themselves refer to their country as Druk Yul or the Land of the
Thunder Dragon. "Druk" meaning "Dragon" and extending from
the predominant Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism.
The documented history of
the Kingdom begins with 747 A.D. with Guru Padsambhava also known as Guru
Rinpoche who made his legendary trip from Tibet across the mountains flying on
a tigress's back. He arrived in Paro valley at Taktsang Lhakhang also known as
Tiger's Nest. Guru Rinpoche is not only recognized as the founder of the
Nyingmapa religious school but also considered to be second Buddha. In the
ensuing centuries, many great masters preached the faith resulting in full
bloom of Buddhism by the middle ages. Although sectarian at first, the country
was eventually unified under Drukpa Kagyupa sect of Mahayana Buddhism by saint/administrator
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century. Ngawang Namgyal
codified a comprehensive system of laws and built a chain of Dzongs which
guarded each valley during unsettled times and now serving as the religious and
administrative centre of the region.
During the next two
centuries civil wars intermittently broke out and the regional Governors became
increasingly more powerful. At the end of 19th century, Trongsa
Governor overcame all his rivals and soon afterwards recognized as the overall leader
of Bhutan. The Governor of Trongsa, Sir Ugyen Wangchuck, was elected as the
first King of Bhutan in 1907 by an assembly of representatives of the monastic
community, civil servants and people.
The country has now the
system of democratic monarchy. The monarchy has thrived ever since and the
present King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the first King's great
grandson, commands the overwhelming support of his people. After assuming the
throne in 1974, the present king continued his father's policy of pragmatic
development by actively pursuing industrial progress, country wide
education and medical care and at the same time ensuring country's cultural and
natural heritage intact.
