Bhutan pictures - Bhutan nature photos and images

Kingdom of Bhutan history - origins → Buddhism religion in Bhutan Kingdom history → History of British influence on kingdom → History of Kingdom → Pictures of Kingdom of Bhutan

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Bhutan pictures: View of Thimpu city

Pictures show the sprawling view of the city.

Thimpu, in the Thimpu District, is the capital city of the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Thimpu is the largest city of Bhutan with a population of 98.676 (2005 PHCB).

Thimpu is located at an altitude of 7656ft (2320m).

Bhutan pictures: View of Thimpu city

Thimpu was a small settlement and King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk developed it to replace the ancient capital of Punakha.

Today, Thimpu is a sprawling city extending across the western slopes of the Wang Chuu river valley.

Bhutan pictures: Tashichoedzong - Thimpu- seat of Government

Tashichoe dzong is the 17th century monastery-fortress and is located on the northern end of the Thimpu city.

Bhutan pictures: Thimpu street lined up by taxis

Tashichoe dzong has been the center of the Government of Bhutan from 1952.

Several government buildings and offices are located around Tashichoe dzong.

Pictures of Bhutan: Chökhor Raptentse Dzong

Trongsa or Tongsa is a town in the Trongsa district.

Chökhor Raptentse Dzong at Trongsa was built in 1644.

It used to be the seat of power of the Wangchuck dynasty.

Pictures of Bhutan: Taktsang Dzong

Taktsang Dzong (Paro Taktsang or Taktsang Monastery or The Tiger's Nest) is built in the year 1692.

It is a monastery of the Nyingma sect, a prominent Tibetan Buddhist sect and is located on the cliffside of Paro valley.

Pictures of Bhutan: Trashigang Monastery

Trashigang or Tashigang, is a town in eastern Bhutan and the district capital of the Trashigang (district).

A monastery was constructed on a cliff overlooking the town.

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Pictures of Bhutan: Punakha Dzong

Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 when the Thimpu was made the capital.

Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong or Punakha Dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38.

In 1907, the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first King of Bhutan took place here.

Pictures of Bhutan: Haa Valley

Haa is a district in Bhutan and is sparsely populated. Haa valley is the major attraction in this district.

It is a steep valley running north south, and wheat, barley and to some extend rice is grown in the low lands of the valley.

Pictures of Bhutan: Gangkhar Puensum Mountains

The highest mountain in Bhutan is Gangkhar Puensum.

It is one of the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

It has elevation of 7570 metres and a prominence of over 2990 metres.

Pictures of the kingdom: Cham dancer

Bhutan mask dances locally known as cham are performed in festivities and are believed to bring good fortunes and blessings to the onlookers.

Pictures of the kingdom: Agricultural lands

Wheat, barley are the major crops cultivated in Bhutan.

Plains at the foot-hills, valley and mountain slopes are brought under agriculture.

Pictures of the kingdom: Phuentsoling town

Phuentsoling town is in the southern Bhutan and is on the border with India. Just opposite is the Indian town of Jaigaon. There is a thrieving cross border trade and the town has a population of 20,537 (as per 2005 census).

Pictures of Bhutan: National Library

The National Library of Bhutan (NLB), Thimphu,was established in 1967 under the patronage of HM Queen Ashi Phuntso Choden. It was started with small collection of precious documents. Its is established for the purpose of "preservation and promotion of the rich cultural and religious heritage" of the kingdom. New building shown in pictures.

Pictures of Bhutan: Chorten Memorial

The Memorial Chorten (the Thimphu Chorten), is a chorten (a stupa) located on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city of Thimpu, near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital.

It built in 1974 honouring the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972).

It is a prominent landmark with its golden spires and bells.

Pictures of Bhutan: Tongsa town

View of the Trongsa (Tongsa) town, capital of the Trongsa district. Trongsa means 'new village' in Dzongkha language. Drukpa Kagyu lama, Ngagi Wangchuk had built the first temple here.

The monastery seen on the forefront of pictures. The only road connecting the eastern and western parts of the country passed through the courtyard of the monastery.

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Pictures of animals: Takin - National animal of Bhutan

Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) is a goat antelope occuring in Eastern Himalayas. There are four subspecies of Budorcas taxicolor. The Bhutan Takin is Budorcas taxicolor whitei. They are 100 - 130 cm tall and weigh upto 650 kg. Takin is the national animal of the Kingdom.

Picturs of animals: Golden langur

Golden Langur or Gee's Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) was brought to attention of zoologists by E. P. Gee in 1050s. It is a Old World monkey found in a small region of the foothills of Black Mountains of Bhutan and western Assam region of India. It is one of the most endangered species of primates.

Pictures of animals: Clouded leopard

The Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a medium-sized cat found south of the Himalayas and in Southeast Asia. They occupy tropical and sub-tropical forests at elevations upto 3000 metres. Clouded leopards are highly arboreal and they rest and hunt on the trees. It has a tan or tawny coat, and is distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses.

Picture of animals: Binturong

The Binturong (Arctictis binturong) are arboreal animals belonging to family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. They are found in the forests of Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Burma and south Asian countries. They primarily eat fruits and are also known to eat rodents and birds.

Pictures of Bhutan animals: Indian Rhinoceros

The Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) or the Great One-horned Rhinoceros or the Asian One-horned Rhinoceros is a herbivore and is primarily found in, Bhutan, north-eastern India, and Nepal. Their distribution is confined to the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. In the wild fully grown males are larger than females weighing from 2,000 to 3,000 kg.

Pictures of animals: Asiatic Elephant

The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus), is the one of the endangered species of animals.

The elephants of Bhutan are mostly confined to the southern plains and foothills from Sipsu in the west to Dhansiri Chhu in the east along Indo- Bhutan border. In this kingdom the estimated elephant habitat is around 2,000sq.km and resident population about 60 to 100 animals.

Pictures of Bhutan animals: Indian leopard

The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a leopard subspecies widely distributed south of Himalayas on the Indian subcontinent. It is smallest of the four big cats namely lion, tiger and jaguar. They inhabit temperate forests and northern coniferous forests, dry deciduous forests and tropical rain forests. The are found up to an altitude of 2.500 m, bordering snow leopard habitat.

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pictures of birds: Indian cormorant

The Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis) belong to genus Phalacrocorax. They are found south of Himalayas in Bhutan, Nepal, India and south-west and south-eastern Asian countries. They are mostly resident birds, small and slender in size and measure upto 60 cm in length. They dive into the water and catch their prey, mainly fish.

Pictures of Bhutan Birds: Greylag goose

The Greylag Goose (Anser anser), also called Graylag Goose in US, belongs to the genus Anser.
These birds are distributed widely in the Old World. These birds have evolved for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers with oily coating so that they do not get wet. They have a rotund, bulky body, a thick and long neck, and a large head and bill.

Pictures of Bhutan birds: Parrots

Indian-ringnecked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri manillensis) originates from the southern Indian subcontinent and has naturalized populations worldwide. They are non-migratory and show gender dimorphism.In the wild, they usually feed on buds, berries, fruits, nuts,vegetables and seeds. Wild flocks also fly several miles to forage causing extensive damage to farmlands and orchards.

Pictures of Bhutan birds: Striated Heron

The Striated Heron (Butorides striata), also known as Mangrove Heron or Little Heron, is a small heron. It found to populate the low lands and water bodies of Bhutan. It is a resident non-migratory bird. However they are distributed all over the world.

Pictures courtesy: Christopher Fynn, juandazeng, Jean-Marie Hullot, Thomas Wanhoff, Doniv79, Vearl Brown, Tassilo Rau,Douglas J. McLaughlin.

Bhutan history - Bhutan king - Bhutan kingdom

Kingdom of Bhutan history - origins → Buddhism religion in Bhutan Kingdom history → History of British influence on kingdom → History of Kingdom → Pictures of Kingdom of Bhutan

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The establishment of the first king and Bhutan kingdom

After the British war on Bhutan and the subsequent treaty, in 1870s and 1880s competition and rivalry among the pro-British ponlop of Tongsa and pro-Tibetan ponlop of Paro renewed. This resulted in the ascendancy of the ponlop of Tongsa, Ugyen Wangchuck. He defeated his political rivals and enemies and united Bhutan amidst civil wars and rebellions during 1882-1885.
During this time, British to offset the Russian advances in Lhasa, wanted to open trade ties with Tibet.
Ugyen Wangchuck volunteered to accompany the British mission as a mediator and the Anglo-Tibetan Convention of 1904 was secured. In appreciation of his services Ugyen Wangchuck was knighted and accrued greater powers and emerged as a national leader of Bhutan.
He removed his rival, ponlop of Paro and established his supporter and relative belonging to Dorji family, in his place.
When the last shabdrung died in 1903 and a reincarnation did not appear till 1906 Ugyen Wangchuck took control of the civil administration of Bhutan.
In 1907 the 54th Druk Desi was forced to retire and shabdrung system came to an end.
In November 1907, in the assembly of heads of important families, leading Buddhist monks and government officials it was decided to do away with the 300 years old dual power system and Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary king (Druk Gyalpo - Dragon King) of the kingdom of Bhutan, and he reigned from 1907 to 1926.
The top government position of gongzim (chief chamberlain), was created and the Dorji family became hereditary holders of the position in the kingdom.
King Ugyen Wangchuck, to protect the future of Bhutan Kingdom from China, entered into another treaty with British, the Treaty of Punakha, signed on January 8, 1910. The king of Bhutan agreed to be guided by the advice of the British Government in regard to external relations of the kingdom and the British agreed to double their annual stipend to 100,000 rupees and agreed to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan kingdom.
The first hereditary king of Bhutan is credited with many modernisation programmes of Bhutan Kingdom. Internal communications were improved, schools followed western-style, trade and commerce with India was encouraged and the Buddhist monastic system was revitalized in the kingdom.
King Ugyen Wangchuck died in 1926 and his son, Jigme Wangchuck succeeded him as King of Bhutan.

Reign of the second Bhutan King Jigme Wangchuck

King Jigme Wangchuck reigned between 1926 to 1952. The second King followed his fathers foot-steps and built more roads, dispensaries and modern schools. Monasteries and district administration were brought under royal control. However Bhutan Kingdom still remained isolated from the international community.
When India attained freedom from British rule, it became the defacto protector of the kingdom.
On 8th August 1949, Treaty of Friendship was signed between the Government of Bhutan and Government of India in similar terms of Treaty of Punaka.
Similar to treaty with British, India will not interfere in the internal affairs of Kingdom of Bhutan and India will also give subsidy of 500,000 rupees per annum.
Bhutan on its part will be guided by the India in its external affairs.

Reign of the third Bhutan king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

The third Dragon king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, was enthroned in the year 1952. He made continued efforts to modernize Bhutan kingdom. His Europe educated wife, who was also cousin of the king of Sikkim, was of great support to him in his modernization programmes. The most important step in this aspect was the establishment of the National Assembly (the Tshogdu) in the year 1953. It was a welcome move towards a constitutional monarchy.
Major land reforms were taken up and slavery and serfdom were abolished. Judiciary was separated from the executive branch of government.
With Indian funding roads were constructed from the central Bhutan to Indian plains.
Many institutions like national museum, national library, national stadium and national archives were established in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
The position of gongzim held by Dorji was upgraded to lonchen (prime minister).
During the period between 1962 and 1965 there was turmoil in the Bhutan Kingdom with assassination of Dorji when the King was in Switzerland for medical care.
Dorji's brother, Lhendup Dorji took over as acting lonchen. There was power struggle between the Dorji family and the Tibetan consort of the king.
This lead to the family of Dorji being exiled from the Bhutan Kingdom.
In July 1965 there was an assassination attempt on the king and the king pardoned the would-be assassins.
In May 1968 gave further powers to National assembly with power to remove ministers and the king himself.
In 1969 the king renounced his veto power and offered to step down if two-thirds of the legislature passes a no-confidence vote.
In 1971 after holding observer status for three years, the Kingdom of Bhutan was admitted to the United Nations.
King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck rule lasted until his death in July 1972.

Rein of the fourth Bhutan king Jigme Singye Wangchuck

Jigme Singye Wangchuck succeeded his father when he was seventeen years old. He was educated in India and Britain.
As his mother was the sister of the lonchen Jigme Palden Dorji, there was reconciliation between the royal family and the family of Dorji.
The formal coronation of the king took place in June 1974. When there was division of Pakistan, Bhutan kindom was among the first nations to recognise the new Nation of Bangladesh.
Bhutan kingdom gradually established diplomatic relations with other nations and started joining international organisations.
Many of the countries with which diplomatic relations were established provided aid for development of the Kingdom.
Official television broadcasting was introduced in Bhutan in 1999.
In the year 2003 with the help of Indian armed forces, Kingdom of Bhutan got rid of Indian separatist groups from its territory.
From 1988 Bhutan Kingdom is faced with the problem of citizenship of Nepali speaking residents now in UN refugee camps.
On 26th of March, 2005 a draft of the first Constitution of the kingdom was circulated and every citizen was requested to review it.
The fourth Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, abdicted all his powers as King to his son Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on 14th December 2006.
It was prelude to prepare his son for the fulfledged transformation of Bhutan to a democratic form of government, slated for 2008.

Rein of the fifth Bhutan king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was educated at Yangchenphu Higher secondary school, Bhutan.
Khesar studied abroad at Phillips Academy (Andover, Massachusetts), Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in Massachusetts, United States.
Then he graduated from Magdalen College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, where he completed the Foreign Service Program and an MPhil in Politics.
He became king on 14 December 2006, and was officially crowned as king on 6 November 2008.
King of Bhutan signed a new treaty with India in February 2007, replacing the earlier 1949 treaty.
The kingdom of Bhutan held its first general elections on March 2008 for the National Assembly.
Of the two political parties contesting the elections, Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party won 45 of the seats and the the two members of People's Democratic Party won the remaining 2 seats.
Jigme Yoser Thinley was elected to head the Government of the kingdom and is holding the post of Lyonchen (prime minister).
king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as Head of the Kingdom of Bhutan is embarked upon further modernizing the kingdom and achieving 'gross national happiness'.

Bhutan history - British influence

Bhutan history - origins → Buddhism religion in Bhutan history → History of British influence → History of Kingdoms → Pictures of Bhutan

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The British influence of the Bhutan (Drukyul) history started in the late 1700 A.D.
The Cooch Bihar region in the north east region of India was an Independent kingdom and on request from the king of Cooch Bihar, Drukyul helped the kingdom against the Mughals; history records inform of Cooch Bihar becoming a dependency of Drukyul.
However, as a twist in history, in 1772 a succession dispute arose in Cooch Bihar and British troops invaded it and made it their dependency.
The history chronicles inform of Bhutanese being driven out of Cooch Bihar. Druk Desi appealed for help from Tibet against the British.
However the request for the help was turned down and the revival of the old Tibet's claim on the territory of Bhutan was made by the Panchen Lama of Tibet.
This made the Druk Desi to make a peace treaty with British resulting in this country returning to pre 1730 borders and allowing Britain to harvest timber from the territory of Bhutan.
In 1784 British passed on the control of Bengal Duars territory to Bhutan for certain annual tribute payments.

The boundary was not clear-cut and Drukyul defaulted in payments.
In 1834 Britain invaded Drukyul and reclaiming the Duars territory in 1841 paid an annual payment of 10,000 rupees to Bhutan.
In 1852 Bhutan demanded increased compensation which was turned down and the British reduced the compensation to 3000 rupees.
In 1862 Drukyul raided Cooch Bihar and Sikkim and British withheld the payments and demanded return of the territory.

Bhutan did not respond to the demands and further rejected the peace treaty offered in 1864.
This lead to Britain declaring war in November 1864.
As per history records fighting went on for nearly five months and Drukyul was defeated.
History records inform us that In November 11, 1865 the treaty of Sinchula was signed.

Drukyul ceded the territories of Dewangiri, Bengal duars and Assam. In return Britain paid a subsidy of 50,000 rupees annually.
In 1885, Ugyen Wangchuck to protect the nation from further threats, sided with British forces and helped in securing the Anglo-Tibetan Convention in the year 1904.
In the year 1907 the history old Shabdrung system was put to an end and Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan.
Ugyen Wangchuck, on January 1910 made history by entering into a new treaty.

In this Treat of Punakha, British agreed to increase the annual stipend to 100,000 rupees and agreed not to interfere in the internal affairs of Bhutan.
Bhutan, in return, agreed to be guided by the advice of the British government in regard to its external relations.

With peace all around and with British protection energies and resources were channeled by the king for modernisation of Drukyul and revitalizing its monastic system.
With the Independence of India, again history was made when Bhutan signed the Treaty of Friendship between the government of Bhutan and the Government of India.

It was in similar terms of non interference in the internal affairs of Bhutan and being guided by India in external relations.

Bhutan history - Bhutan religion - Buddhism

Bhutan history - origins → Buddhism religion in Bhutan history → History of British influence → History of Kingdoms → Pictures of Bhutan

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The early history of Bhutan was chronicled in the scriptures of Buddhism. Many of these documents were lost in fires in 1828 and 1832. More manuscripts were lost in the earth quake of 1897 and arson in 1907.
The history has to be pieced together from the reports and letters of foreign visitors, legends and folklore and a few remains of documents which escaped the calamities.

Bhutan history: Introduction of Buddhism religion in Bhutan

It is believed that Buddhism was introduced into Bhutan in early 200 A.D. However scholars in Bhutan history agree that in 7th century A.D., the first temples were constructed establishing the evidence of spread of Buddhism in Bhutan.
History tells us that Srongtsenn Gampo, a Tibetan king built two Buddhism temples, one in Central Bhutan (Bumthang) and another in Paro valley (Kyichu).
Chronicled history say that, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), was a great tantric master of Buddhism religion from India. He was sent for by the king of Bumthang (Sendha Gyab) to get rid of a demon.
The folklore say that the Buddhism monk cured the king and converted both the king and the demon into Buddhism.
In the history of Bhutan, during the 8th century A.D., there was a exodus of monks from the Tibet region into Bhutan as the ruler of Tibet had banned the religion of Buddhism.
Thus the religion of Buddhism got firm footing in Bhutan and existed along with the original Bon religion of the region.

Bhutan history: establishment of monasteries of Buddhism and rise of religion in the rule of the nation

During the period between 9th and 17th centuries Bhutan remained a network of loosely connected regions ruled by local chieftains, noble families and ruling clans; Bon and Buddhism were followed.
In 842 A.D., the persecutor of Buddhism, Langdharma, was assassinated and Buddhism again flourished in Tibet.
The Tibetan Lama Tsangpa Gyarey Yeshe Dorji (AD 1161–1211) founded the Drukpa Kagyu lineage monastery order in Ralung.
However these sect of monks were persecuted by the rivals belonging to Gelug lineage in Tibet.
So 11th and 12th centuries saw exodus Drukpa monks from Tibet into Bhutan.
The Drukpa lamas settled and established monasteries in
the Western Bhutan; wielding influence among the locals became power centers.
Many of these lamas established their own sub sects.
Gyalwa Lhanangpa founded the Lhapa Kagyu lineage and established the Tango Goemba monastery.

From Ralung monastery in Tibet,a disciple of Lama Tsangpa Gyarey, Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo (1184–1251) came to Bhutan and defeating lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa, wrested control of Tango Goemba monastery.
He converted many people to the Drukpa Kagyu school of thoughts and established the Bhutanese form of Buddhism.
The period between 13th and 16th centuries in Bhutan's history saw the visits by many monks and tertons from Ralung and establishment of many monasteries and flourishing of the religion.
However the politically the region was still in the hands of local leaders and the monasteries were competing with one another for exerting influence.

The rise of Zhabdrung Rinpoche as supreme authority in Bhutan

In 1616 A.D., a descendant of Tsangpa Gyarey Yeshe Dorji (founder of Drukpa Kagyu lineage), Ngawang Namgyal (1594–1651) came to Bhutan from Tibet (Ralung).
He travelled through out Bhutan teaching the religion of Buddhism and soon gained popularity and political clout.
He, with the title of Zhabdrung Rinpoche, established himself as the ruler of Bhutan.
His rule was opposed by rivals from other lineages and his monastery Simtokha Dzong was attacked in 1629. The attacks were repelled and further attacks were mounted with the help of Tibetans. With repeated defeats the opposition diminished and in 1639 Tibet recognised Ngawang Namgyal as the ruling authority in Bhutan.
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, strengthened his power by establishing relations with the neighbouring kingdoms of Nepal, Ladakh and Cooch Bihar.
During his rule, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, established many monasteries in Bhutan.
In the year 1644 Tibetans along with Mongols attacked Bumthang region and were defeated.
In 1648 and 1649, the powerful Dalai Lama 'Great Fifth' tried to invade Bhutan and was defeated.
The defeat of Tibetans further consolidated the position of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

The religion and administrative system of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal

He appointed Mingyur Tenpa as governor (penlop) of Trongsa. Mingyur Tenpa brought the remaining regions of Bhutan under the effective control of Ngawang Namgyal.

Trongsa Zong (enlarge)
Ngawang Namgyal, to have a separate religion and cultural identity, formulated many traditions, national dress, customs and ceremonies.
He also formed laws to define lay man, religion and monk and also established a system of taxes and compulsory labour for religion.
He separated the administration of the State into two wings; religion and administration. Zhabdrung Rinpoche handled the spiritual and Buddhism religion aspects of the nation.
The position of Desi was created who is an elected ruler. He was given the responsibilities of handling administrative, political and external affairs aspects of the nation.
Further a position of Je Khenpo, which was equal in status to desi, was established to look after the monastic establishment of the Buddhism religion.
Tenzin Drugyey (1591–1656), a Buddhism monk from Ralung Monastry was the first Desi and he established the system of districts and sub districts governed by Penlop (governor) and dzongpens (lords).
In 1651, in Punakha Dzong, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal went into retreat and passed away. However his death was concealed till 1705 to keep the unity of the nation.

Then the belief of reincarnation of Zhabdrung in three forms namely (ku sung thug - body, speech and mind) was introduced in the Buddhism religion. The reincarnation of the mind of Zhabdrung was considered as the head of the Buddhism state.

The next 200 years of Bhutan's Buddhism history saw great turmoil and internal strife for power. There were six mind reincarnations and 55 Desis of whom 22 desis were assassinated by rivals in the Buddhism religion.
There were invasions by Tibet and finally a truce was initiated by lamas from Tibet and the rivalries died down and the mind incarnation of the Zhabdrung continued as ruler.

The Buddhism history of Bhutan next came under the influence of British in India. This is discussed separately in another post.
Then in 1907, the hereditary ruler of Bhutan was elected and the kingdom was established in Bhutan (Discussed in detail in another post) with state religion as Buddhism.

Other religions in Bhutan

Many Nepalese have migrated and settled in Southern Bhutan and their religion is Hinduism. Temples of Hindu religion exist in Thimpu and southern regions.
The pre Buddhism religion, Bon religion has merged with Buddhism of Bhutan and there are no exclusive practicer of this religion.
Christians are scattered throughout the country in small groups and most of them practise their religion at home; only one building is there functioning as church.
There is a small population in Bhutan practising the religion of Islam.
Vajrayāna Buddhism is the state religion of Bhutan.

Image courtesy: Thomas Wanhoff

Bhutan: History of Bhutan - Origins and early inhabitants

Bhutan history - origins and early history → Buddhism in Bhutan → History of British influence → History of Kingdoms → Pictures of Bhutan

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Bhutan, the mysterious land locked country, is cradled between the Himalayan mountains in the west and north and is extending to sub-tropical plains on the south bordering North India.

The origins and the early history of Bhutan is steeped in mythology with mystery tales of supernatural powers. The mythology and folklore take one to a dream land of ghosts, spirits, yetis, lamas reincarnated in three bodies, saints flying on tigers, angels rebuilding the temples destroyed by demons.

Archaeological studies give us some knowledge about the Bhutan before the recorded history. Archaeological remains of weapons and stone tools, megaliths and ruins of large structures built with stones (probably used as boundary stones and ritual places) were found providing us clues about a civilisation way back in 2000 BC. Absence of any evidence of neolithic origin, rules out earlier inhabitation of these regions.

Map of Bhutan (enlarge)
Historians theorize the existence of pre history state of Monyul (meaning dark land) or Lhomon (meaning southern darkness). It is believed that this land was populated by fierce mountain aboriginal people (probably related to Monpa tribals of Bhutan).
These tribals were of neither the Mongol or Tibetian stock. The people of Monyul practiced Bon, a Shamanistic religion with the belief that shamans(medicine men) are intermediaries between the humans and the spirits. Shamans are believed to alleviate illness and traumas affecting the spirit and body.
The Monyul state was believed to have existed between 500 BC and 600 AD.
The legends in history narrate about a mighty Monyul king, who invaded and subjugated the Bihar, Bengal and Assam regions now belonging to India.

Some native scholars while referring to their home land used the names Lhomon Khashi (southern Mon country of four approaches) and Lhomon Tsendenjong (southern Mon sandalwood country) which are found in the ancient in Tibetian and Bhutanese chronicles.

Since seventeenth century, it is evident from history that the traditional name of Bhutan has been Drukyul meaning land of Drukpa.
The name Bhutan is used only in official correspondence in English language.
The origin of the name Bhutan is suggested by history scholars as a variant of Sanskrit language words Bhota-ant (end of Bhot or Tibet) or Bhu-uttan (highlands).
The entry of Bhuddism changed the basic culture of Monpa natives.