History

 In the seventeenth century, a theocratic government independent of Tibetan political influence was established, and premodern Bhutan emerged.The theocratic government was founded by an expatriate Drukpa monk, Ngawang Namgyal, who arrived in Bhutan in 1616 seeking freedom from the domination of the Gelugpa subsect led by the Dalai Lama (Ocean Lama) in Lhasa

 Considered the first great historical figure of Bhutan, he united the leaders of powerful Bhutanese families in a land called Drukyul. He promulgated a code of law and built a network of impregnable dzong, a system that helped bring local lords under centralized control and strengthened the country against Tibetan invasions.

Bhutan's troubles were not over, however. In 1643 a joint Mongol-Tibetan force sought to destroy Nyingmapa refugees who had fled to Bhutan, Sikkim, and Nepal.During Ngawang Namgyal's rule, administration comprised a state monastic body with an  elected head, the Je Khenpo (lord abbot), and a theocratic civil government headed by the druk desi (regent of Bhutan, also  known as deb raja in Western sources).Thanks to him that we stand as a stable nation today. 

 Bhutan’s extensive forest and associated rich biodiversity play a pivotal role in conservation of the environment, which has significance from both a national and global perspective.

 The preservation of the natural environment is central to the Buddhist religion, which plays a central role in the Bhutanese people’s lives and culture.

 Bhutan is a unique tourist destination being the last Buddhist Kingdom in the world. Tourism provides the opportunity for Bhutan to earn significant foreign revenue. 

In the 1960s, Bhutan opened its borders to foreign visitors and the first road system was built in the 1970s. Until then, Bhutan was a country enshrouded in mystery, untainted by any foreign influence or international trade. Even today, much of the country’s culture and tradition and the environment are still thriving.Television was introduced to Bhutan in 2000, and now there are a variety of channels available, most stemming from India and the UK.

There is universal public education in Bhutan. Children go to school Monday through Friday, with a half day on Saturday. Children living in the country often walk an hour or more to school, crossing rivers and climbing mountains in order to attend.

The Wangchuck dynasty led Bhutan into an era of peace, stability and order. Under the monarchy, sweeping reforms were initiated abolishing serfdom, creating an independent judiciary, and building the social and economic infrastructure of a modern state.Druk is the official language of Bhutan, but very few people can write the language, as its system of characters is very difficult to master. Instead, English is taught early on in the school system.

“The highest achievement of one hundred years of monarchy has been the constant nurturing of Democracy”

- His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The development of Bhutanese democracy has been marked by the active encouragement and participation of reigning Bhutanese
monarchs since the 1950s, beginning with legal reforms such as the abolition of slavery, and culminating in the enactment of
Bhutan's Constitution.

The process of modernization and democratization was initiated by the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck amid
increasing internal and external political complexity.The Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck planned and oversaw
many of the political and legal reforms that have shaped the constitutional monarchy and democracy in Bhutan

The first democratic elections in Bhutan began in 2007, and all levels of government had been democratically elected by
2011. These elections included Bhutan's first ever partisan National Assembly election.