Bhutan
The people of Bhutan can be divided into three broad ethnic
categories--Ngalops, Sharchops, and Lhotsampas. The Ngalops make up
the majority of the population, living mostly in the western and
central areas. The Ngalops are thought to be of Tibetan origin,
arriving in Bhutan during the 8th and 9th centuries A.D. and
bringing Buddhism with them. Most Ngalops follow the Drukpa Kagyupa
discipline of Mahayana Buddhism. In a country that is deeply rooted
within the Buddhist religion, many people's sect of religion, as
opposed to their ethnic group, characterizes them. The Ngalops
predominate in the government, and the civil service and their
cultural norms have been declared by the monarchy to be the standard
for all citizens.
The Sharchops, who live in the eastern section of Bhutan, are
considered to be descendants of the earliest major group to inhabit
Bhutan. Most follow the Ningmapa discipline of Mahayana Buddhism.
Sharchop is translated as "people of the east." The Ngalops,
Sharchops, and the indigenous tribal people are collectively known
as Drukpas and account for about 65% of the population. The national
language is Dzongkha, but English is the language of instruction in
schools and an official working language for the government.
The Lhotsampas are people of Nepali descent, currently making up 35%
of the population. They came to Bhutan in the 19th and 20th
centuries, mostly settling in the southern foothills to work as
farmers. They speak a variety of Nepali dialects and are
predominantly Hindu. |
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Bhutan's early history is steeped in mythology and remains obscure.
It may have been inhabited as early as 2000 B.C., but not much was
known until the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the 9th century
A.D. when turmoil in Tibet forced many monks to flee to Bhutan. In
the 12th century A.D., the Drukpa Kagyupa school was established and
remains the dominant form of Buddhism in Bhutan today. The country's
political history is intimately tied to its religious history and
the relations among the various monastic schools and monasteries.
The consolidation of Bhutan occurred in 1616 when Ngawana Namgyal, a
lama from Tibet, defeated three Tibetan invasions, subjugated rival
religious schools, codified an intricate and comprehensive system of
law, and established himself as ruler (shabdrung) over a system of
ecclesiastical and civil administrators. After his death, infighting
and civil war eroded the power of the shabdrung for the next 200
years when in 1885, Ugyen Wangchuck was able to consolidate power
and cultivated closer ties with the British in India.
In 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the hereditary ruler of
Bhutan, crowned on December 17, 1907, and installed as the head of
state Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King). In 1910, King Ugyen and the British
signed the Treaty of Punakha which provided that British India would
not interfere in the internal affairs of Bhutan if the country
accepted external advice in its external relations. When Ugyen
Wangchuck died in 1926, his son Jigme Wangchuck became the next
ruler, and when India gained independence in 1947, the new Indian
Government recognized Bhutan as an independent country. In 1949,
India and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which
provided that India would not interfere in Bhutan's internal affairs
but would be guided by India in its foreign policy. Succeeded in
1952 by his son Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Bhutan began to slowly emerge
from its isolation and began a program of planned development.
Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in 1971, and during his
tenure the National Assembly was established and a new code of law,
as well as the Royal Bhutanese Army and the High Court.
In 1972, Jigme Singye Wangchuck ascended the throne at age 16. He
emphasized modern education, decentralization of governance, the
development of hydroelectricity and tourism and improvements in
rural developments. He was perhaps best known internationally for
his overarching development philosophy of "Gross National
Happiness." It recognizes that there are many dimensions to
development and that economic goals alone are not sufficient.
Satisfied with Bhutan's transitioning democratization process, he
abdicated in December 2006 rather than wait until the promulgation
of the new constitution in 2008. His son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel
Wangchuck, became King upon his abdication. |
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