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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
