HRH Ugyen Wangchuck (King of) Bhutan^[1]

1862 - 1926  (64 years)

• Name	Ugyen Wangchuck (King of) Bhutan
  Prefix	HRH
  Birth	1862
  Gender	Male
  Death	21 Aug 1926
  Person ID	I178033	First tree
  Last Modified	31 Oct 2021

  
  

  Father	Jigme Namgyel   d. Yes, date unknown
  Family ID	F39917	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	HRH Ashi Tsendue Lhamo (Queen of) Bhutan
  Children	1. HRH Jijme Wangchuck (King of) Bhutan,   b. 1905   d. 1952 (Age 47 years)
  Family ID	F39916	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	24 Jan 2013

  
  

• Notes

  "The monk ruler, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651), a Tibetan native,is considered as the founder of modern Bhutan state. He was the firstruler of Bhutan. He ruled for 35 years. His successors ruled the countrytill 1907. Shabdrung established himself as the country's supreme leader. He ruledover Bhutan for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1651 A.D.During his reign of 35 years, he built dzongs (fortress), monasteries,and religious institutions. He established the Drukpa Kargyupa schoolof Tantric Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan. His reign was marked by theintroduction of the unique dual system of governance called the Chhoesid.This new system was characterized by the sharing of power and authoritybetween the Deb Raja or the Desi who was the head of secular affairs andthe Dharma Raja or the spiritual head, called as Je Khempo . He alsocodified laws for the country. The laws were based on medieval theocraticprinciples called the Tsa-Yig. The successive ‘Dharma Rajas’ were theincarnations of the Shabdrung whereas the post of the Deb Raja was likethat of the Prime Minister. In course of time, the Dharma Rajaspreferring religious matters withdrew themselves into seclusion while theDeb Rajas consolidated their authority exercising sole responsibilityover the secular affairs. After the death of Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, the following became theShabdrungs or Dharma Raja of Bhutan. 1698 - 1712 AD Kunga Gyaltshen b. 1689 - d. 1713 1712 - 1729 Phyogla Namgyal b. 1708 - d. 1736 1730 - 1735 Jigme Norbu b. 1717 - d. 1735 1735 - 1738 Mipham Wangpo b. 1709 - d. 1738 1738 - 1761 Jigme Dragpa I b. 1724 - d. 1761 1762 - 1788 Choeki Gyaltshen b. 1762 - d. 1788 1791 - 1830 Jigme Dragpa II b. 1791 - d. 1830 1831 - 1861 Jigme Norbu b. 1831 - d. 1861 1862 - 1904 Jigme Chogyal b. 1862 - d. 1904 1905 - 1931 Jigme Dorji b. 1905 - d. 1931 -2003 Jigme Nawang Namgyal b. - -d. 2003 The reincarnation of Shabdrung Jigme Nawang Namgyal, who was living inexile in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, died on April 5, 2003. The dual form of governance continued until the birth of the Wangchukdynasty and establishment of hereditary Monarchy in 1907. The reigningWangchuk dynasty and hereditary Monarchy was established in 1907. HisMajesty Ugyen Wangchuck became the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan onDecember 17, 1907. Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditarymonarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907." From Monarchy/Royal Family Royal of Bhutan athttp://www.bhutannewsonline.com/monarchy.html

  
  

• Sources

  [S2822] .