Chapter 1

Emergence of a Nation State

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Desis

Nation State:

•   It refers to the people living within a fixed territory under a certain government with common language and cultural heritage.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Desis:

ü  Zhabdrung arrived in Bhutan in 1616.

ü  He overcame the obstacle with Lam Khag Nga and Five Tibetan Invasions.

ü  he united western Bhutan under the Drukpa rule by 1651

ü  He introduced laws, festivals, administrative system, monastic system, culture and tradition.

ü  After Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, 55 Desis ruled Bhutan.

ü  Zhabdrung and the Desis therefore safeguarded Bhutan’s sovereignty.

Contributions of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal:

i)                    He united Bhutan.

ii)                  He established Choesid Nyiden.

iii)                He codified laws.

iv)                He created our unique identity.

i)                    He United Bhutan:

ü  In unifying the Bhutan, Zhabdrung faced five Tibetan invasions (external oppositions) and Lam Khag Nga (Internal Oppositions) who were attempting to establish their influence in Bhutan.

ü  In pursue of his dream the descendants of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, Drukpa Kuenley and Drupthop Ter Khugpa became his main supporters.

·         First Tibetan Invasion in 1617:

ü  This was by Tsang Desi Phuntsho Namgyel to destroy Zhabdrung.

ü  However, The Pazaabs, the first Bhutanese militia led by Tenzin Drugdra and Zarchen (Chhoeje Dorji Gyalpo)  defeated the Tibetans at Chang Nangkhatse, Paro.

·         Second Tibetan Invasion in 1634:

ü  Lam Khag Nga dragged Tibetans into conflict second time after they had been defeated earlier by Zhabdrung.

ü  They targeted from six fronts, two in Paro/one in Goen/one in Cheri/one in Nyingla and one in Bumthang.and they were defeated and Lam Khag Nga’s forces greatly weakened.

·         Third Tibetan Invasion in 1639

ü  The third Tibetan invasion was again initated by Lam Kha Nga who were     unhappy with the growing power of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and they planned to seize Punakha Dzong.

ü  Tibetan and Lam Khag Nga’s army were unsuccessful to seize the Punakha Dzong so from there an agreement was signed between the Zhabdrung and Tsang Desi Karma Tenchong Wangpo.This agreement recognized Zhabdrung as the Supreme Authority of Bhutan.Cooch Bihar, Nepal and Ladakh sent goodwill messages to Zhabdrung.This increased the pristine and popularity of Zhabdrung.

·         Fourth Tibetan Invasion in 1644:

ü  Tibetan and Mongol army marched to Bumthang an launched an attack from Lhodrak

ü  They lost many weapons and arms to the Bhutanese.  So they were defeated.

·         Fifth Tibetan Invasion in 1648 – 49:

ü  The combined forces of the Tibetans and Mongols army marched till Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.

ü  They were defeated again.

ü  To commemorate the victory and to show his gratitude to the protective deities, Punakha Dromchoe was instituted.

ü  He built Dzongs in each region to symbolize the seat of Drukpa Supremacy.

After Fifth Tibetan Invasion:

·    Zhabdrung went into strict/permanent retreat.

·    At the time of his retreat, Bhutan was not completely unified because only western part was unified.

·    Before his retreat, he invested the responsibility of completing the unification of eastern Bhutan, Sharchog Khorlo Tsibgye under the Drukpa rule by instituting the post of Choetse Poenlop

·    Only in 1655 the whole of eastern Bhutan was unified under the Drukpa rule.

·    The urgency of creating a Nation State was also injected in his supporters by Zhabdrung.

ii)                  He established Choesid Nyiden.

Before he entered into the retreat in 1651, he established a political setup known as Choesi Nyiden to suit the need of the time and the Bhutanese.

This system is also known as Dual System of Governance.

This system had also two persons to look after temporal and spiritual affairs in the absence of Zhabdrung.

This system continued till the hereditary monarchy in 1907.

Desi managed the temporal while Je Khenpo managed spiritual affairs.

Desis- Head of Political Affairs.

ü  The country was divided into three provinces, Paro, Dagana and Trongsa.

ü  Paro Poenlop looked after west and southern Bhutan.

ü  Dagana Poenlop looked after south and central parts of Bhutan.

ü  Trongsa Poenlop looked after the eastern part of Bhutan.

ü  Paro, Dagana and Trongsa Poenlop were known as Chog gi Chila Namsum – Three Regional Monastic Superintendents.

ü  The First Chilas were Trongsa – Minjur Tenpa, Dagana –Tenpa Thinley and Paro – Tenzin Drugdra.

ü  Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdiphodrang Dzongs were headed by Dzongpons,

ü  Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdiphodrang Dzongs were known as Densa Zhungsum (three Central Seats).

ü  These three Dzongs had equal status with Chila Namsum.

ü  Punakha and Thimphu Dzongs together were called Densa Phantshun (Alternative Monastic Seats).

ü  The First Three Dzongpons of Densa Zhungsum were:

i)                    Wangdiphodrang – Namkha Rinchen.

ii)                  Thimphu – Au Tshering.

iii)                Punakha – Pekar Rabgye.

ü  Other Dzongpons were under the control of Chila Namsum.

ü  Dzongs were assisted by Drungpas and Gups.

iii)                He Codified Laws:

·         One of the greates achievement of Zhabdrung was the  codification of laws known as KATHRIM.Kathrim was written down only in 1729 by 10^thJe Khenpo Tenzin Choegyal.

·         The Kathrim brought order in the system and protested people from exploitation and harassment and minimized corruption as well as social problems.

·         Under Kathrim, Zhabdrung defined the responsibilities of a Desi. For example, Inter Alia (Justice, Peace and Security to the public and country and to support the monastic body)

·         The institution of laws also established relationship between the monastic community and the people for instance the monks performed prayers and rituals for the community while the latter provided material support to the former.

·         Zhabdrung also maintained the Sathram in the Dzongs to ensure the continuity of this rapport.

·         The payment of the tax was also streamlined.

·         The public had to contribute compulsory labour(woola) besides tax in kind.

IV.He Created our Unique Identity:

·         Zhabdrung realized that the lack of national identity in Bhutan is the biggest threat to the Bhutanse sovereignty because there were linguistic variety, dress code, food habits, religion, architect, etc.

·         He introduced the ceremony of Zhugdrel Phuensum Tshogpa after the completion of Punakha Dzong which is a special feature special in Bhutan. This ceremony symbolizes the Bhutanese Nationhood and Unity amongst different valleys.

·         Dzongs which were built under his command represented strength, which safeguarded the Bhutanese Sovereignty from internal and external threats.

·         Dress code as (Gho and Kira),festivals and even rituals are other unique features created by Zhabdrung

DESI

Introduction

-          Bhutan was ruled by 55 Desis between 1651 to 1907.

-          13^th Desi ruled for 19 long years

-          38^th Desi wangchen Gyalpo rulled for only few months

-          Desi Dorji Norbu and Desi Tashi Dorji rulled jointly as 36^th Desi

Modalities of becoming a Desis were:

i)                    Appointment by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

ü  Zhabdrung himself appointed only Umze Tenzin Drugyal directly as the first Desi to look after the temporal affairs of the Drukpa State.

ü  Later, Third Desi Chhoegyal Minjur Tenpa and some other Desis were appointed through the Letter bearing the seal of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal by the Monastic Body and the Lhengye Tshog.

ü  The candidate took oath in Punakha Dzong.  This was done to keep the death of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal secret from his enemies.

ii)                  Appointment by Monastic Body:

ü  20^th Desi Umze Chabchap, 31^st Desi Tenzin Drugdra, 48^th Desi Tshenlop Tsondue Pekar and 49^th Desi Jigme Namgyal were appointed by the Monastic Body.

ü  Monastic Body appointed the people who supported monastic system and benefited the public.

ü  It even led to coup-d’etat when the reigning Desi was in favour of the monastic body

iii)                Appointment by Powerful and Influential Individuals:

ü  Jigme Singye, the incarnation of Gyalse Jampel Dorji appointed 17^th Desi.  Jigme Namgyel appointed 15^th Desi Kitselpa Dorji Namgyel.

ü  52^nd Desi Lam Tshewang and 53^rd Desi Gawa Zangpo were appointed by the people of Jigme Namgyel.

ü  54^th Desi Yanglop Sangay Dorji and 55^th Desi Chhodtruel Yeshey Ngoedup were appointed by Ugyen Wangchuck.

iv)                Self-appointment through assassination and force:

ü  6^th Desi Ngawang Tshering assassinated 5^th Desi Gedun Chhophel and took the post.

ü  Druk Rabgye became the 8^th Desi after assassinating Punakha Dzongpon Tenpa Wangchuk, Je Kuenga Gyeltshen and all the supporters of  Tenpa Wangchuk including Terteon Drukda Dorji.

v)                  Appointment through coup d'état:

ü  When Druk Rabgye, 8^th Desi refused to recognize the incarnation of Je Kuenga Gyaltshen as Zhabdrung, he was thrown in Pachhu below Paro Dzong by Monastic Body.

ü  The Monastic Body appointed Ngawang Gyamtsho as 9^th Desi, later he appointed his candidate  Lama Chogyal Namgyal in the post of the Zhabdrung.  So Monastic Body launched coup d'état again and appointed Mipham Wangpo as 10^thDesi.

Contributions of Desis:

i)                    Religious Reforms:

ü    La Ngoenpa Tenzin Drugdra, the 2^ndDesi built Eight Stupas of Red Sandalwood inside Punakha Dzong known as Nguelbum Choeten.

ü    3^rd Desi renovated Simtokha Dzong and inscribed the images of Lord Buddha and the Buddhisittvas on the slate.

ü    Tenzin Rabgye established the Tshengyi Dratshang or the debate Monastery and he made compulsory for each family having three sons to send one as monk.

ü    6^th Desi Ngawang Tshering brought Tenjur and “Kanjur in gold’ from Tibet and erected a three storeyed golden statue of Buddha Amitabha in Tashichho Dzong.

ü    Druk Namgyel made many printing books in Punakha Dzong and helped in the production of religious books and enhanced its circulation availability to promote Buddhism

ii)                  Institution of Laws:

ü    First Desi Umze Tenzin Drugyal introduced new laws called Mitong (Fine for murder, theft, illegal weighing unit).

ü    He formulated Bhutanese code of conduct called Driglam Namzha based on sixteen human principles and ten divine virtues as the law of the country to promote values in the society.

ü    The other Desis practiced it for peace and order of the Nation.

iii)                Educational Reforms:

ü    2^nd Desi introduced the study of medicine, art, sculpture and literature in the monastic school.

ü    Fourth Desi introduced 13 crafts called Zorig Chusum.

iv)                Political Security:

ü    2^nd Desi constructed Drugyal and Paro Ta Dzong.

ü    3^rd Desi brought Khorlo Tsibgye under the Drukpa rule.

ü    3^rd Desi constructed Trongsa, Jakar, Trashiyangtse, Zhongar, Zhemgang and Dungsam Dzong.

ü    8^th Desi solved the Tibeto-Bhutanese border problem.

ü    Desi Kuenga Rinchen and Jigme Singye extended Anglo-Bhutanese relationship.