Historical Facts of Bhutan

  The Non Intervention Policy of British Indian Government towards Bhutan (1867 – 1884) After the Duar War, Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal resigned from the post of Trongsa Penlop. In his place, he appointed his elder brother Dungkar Gyaltshen. He retired to Wangdu Choling palace in Bumthang. As per the treaty of Sinchula 1865, Bhutan received the annual subsidy payment on 10th January 1867 at Darjeeling.The representative of the Desi communicated to Colonel Haughton that the major share of the annual subsidy was taken by the Trongsa Penlop.     He suggested to Colonel Haughton, if British India Government would help the Desi to get the equal share of the annual subsidy. But Colonel Haughton informed the Desi’s representative that British India would not interfere in the Bhutan’s internal affairs. In February 1868, a representative of Desi went down to Buxa and met Major Murray, the officer in Commanding at Buxa. The Desi’s representative suggested that the annual sub...

The Duar War 1864-65   Immediately, after reaching Darjeeling, Eden submitted his report to the Government on the events that had happened to the members of the Mission at Punakha. On 7th May 1864, Eden also submitted to the Government the measures to be taken to prevent future war with Bhutan. The permanent occupation of the whole country of Bhutan.   The temporary occupation of the country, to be followed by the withdrawal of the occupying force after destroying all the forts and letting the people see and feel our power to reach them at any future time.    The permanent annexation of the that tract at the foot of the hills called the Duars and Jelpesh, which formerly and naturally belonged to Bengal, but which was partly wrested from the Mahomedan rulers of Bengal, and partly ceded by us at the end of last century.     The lowest range of the Bhutan hills at elevations from 2000 to 3500 feet above the Duars would be necessary to take possession and o...