[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

No archaeological research has yet been carried out in Bhutan, but stone implements found indicate that the country was inhabited fairly early around 2000 – 1500BC.

Most of the historical data are through religious texts and oral traditions. Bhutan’s recorded history begins in the 7th century when the Tibetan King Songtshen Goambo constructed the first two Buddhist temples: Kyichu in Paro and Jampa in Bumthang.

The arrival in the 8th century of a Tantric Master from Swat (in present day in Pakistan) also finds a place in recorded texts. Named Padmasambava (Lotus Born) at birth, he is today revered as Guru Rimpoche – meaning Precious Master – in both Tibet and Bhutan. Guru Rimpoche introduced Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and is considered by the Nyingmapa religious school as the second Buddha.

After that, the arrival of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal finds a prominent place in Bhutan’s history. Arriving in 1616, he unified Bhutan and named the country “Drukyul” to mean “Land of Thunder Dragon.” The people were called ‘Drukpa’ meaning “People of the Dragon Land”.

Shabdrung formed the dual system of government, built several Dzongs (Bhutanese term for fortresses) all over the country and codified the laws. This system ensued till the beginning of the Monarchy in 1907.

The first Druk (king) of Bhutan, Sir Ugyen Wangchuck, was the governor of Trongsa Dzong and a brilliant political leader. He ascended the throne on December 17, 1907, at the Punakha Dzong and laid the foundations of the Wangchuck Dynasty.  Today, the Fifth King is the Head of State. In an emotional and dramatic turn of events the Fourth King, stepped down from the Throne and made Bhutan a constitutional monarchy. Bhutan is one of the world’s youngest and smallest democracies.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” interval=”3″ images=”2237″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”400X500″][/vc_column][/vc_row]