Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck (1885- 1926) and British India
In 1877, Ugyen Wangchuck was appointed as Paro Penlop at the age of seventeen by Gongsa Jigme Namgyal and his elder brother Thinley Tobgye was appointed Wangdu Dzongpon. In Trongsa, a battle was being fought between his paternal uncle Dungkar Gyaltshen and maternal uncle Pema Tenzin over the post of Trongsa Penlop. It was during this battle; Dungkar Gyaltshen Trongsa Penlop asked help from Wangdu Dzongpon. Wangdu Dzongpon sent his troops headed by Zimpon Pema Tshewang. Zimpon Pema Tshewang sang the ballad to his wife and family members as he proceeded to Trongsa. But the combined forces of Dungkar Gyaltshen and Zimpon Pema Tshewang were defeated. Dungkar Gyaltshen was given a piece of land to sustain his living. Jakar Penlop Pema Tenzin with the help of junior Dronyer Singye Namgyal won the battle and Pema Tenzin became the next Trongsa Penlop. But Pema Tenzin was assassinated by Junior Dronyer Singye Namgyal and took the post of Trongsa Penlop for himself. After Pema Tenzin became Trongsa Penlop, he did not appoint Singye Namgyal Dronyer as promised before the battle. Singye Namgyal revenged and murdered Pema Tenzin. Therefore, Paro Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck had to rush to Bumthang. He took revenge against the self-declared Trongsa Penlop Singye Namgyal and in a meeting at Jakar Dzong, Ugyen Wangchuck killed Singye Namgyal. Then, Ugyen Wangchuck took the post of Trongsa Penlop for himself. Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck like his father Gongsa Jigme Namgyal did, he strengthened his position by appointing relatives to the important posts. Among others, he appointed his childhood friends and foster brothers Phuntsho Dorje as the Punakha Dzongpon and Alu Dorje, the Thimphu Dzongpon.
The
Battle of Changlimithang 1885
In 1885 Phuntsho Dorje and Alu Dorje revolted
against the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck. Let us see what caused two
Dzongpons to do away with Ugyen Wangchuck.
a) Phuntsho
Dorje and Alu Dorje appointed their own nominee Gawa Zangpo as the Druk Desi,
when Desi Lam Tshewang passed away, without consulting the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen
Wangchuck. The two Dzonpons sent a secret letter to Trongsa Dronyer with four
hundred rupees as a gift to assassinate Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck.
b) The
British source says that the two Dzongpons stopped to pay the Trongsa’s share
of the British compensation to the Government of Bhutan.
c) Phuntsho
Dorje forcefully married a woman, Dechen Zangmo from Dombhula[1]
village in Punakha without the permission from Ugyen Wangchuck. It is said that
Ugyen Wangchuck had affair with Dechen Zangmo previously. But Damcho Lhundrup
says that Trongsa Penlop met Dechen Zangmo at Punakha when he came to receive
the scarf for the enthronement of the Trongsa Penlop. Dechen Zangmo belonged to the wealthy family
of Dongkar in Punakha.
Now, it seemed that because of the above mentioned
root cause, Phuntsho Dorje did not feel secured his position. As a result, he
made alliance with Alu Dorje Thimphu Dzongpon by giving his sister in marriage
to Alu Dorje. Then they planned to kill Ugyen Wangchuck desparately.
The plot was uncovered, when Trongsa Dronyer
reported to Ugyen Wangchuck. The war was likely to take place. If the war is
being fought, it will bring sufferings to the general public. Ugyen Wangchuck
wanted to prevent the war as far as possible. Ugyen Wangchuck wanted to solve
the issues through peaceful means. Therefore, Ugyen Wangchuck invited the two
Dzongpons to meet him at Sharithang to negotiate their differences. The two
Dzongpons agreed for the invitation.
But, when Ugyen Wangchuck arrived at Sharithang, the
two Dzongpons did not come there. Neither had they sent any messengers. It was
a great insult for the Trongsa Ugyen Wangchuck. Ugyen Wangchuck went back to
Trongsa, gathered large forces from his jurisdictions.
In February 1885, Ugyen Wangchuck marched towards
Punakha. The Je khenpo and the four Lopons tried to mediate a settlement. Ugyen
Wangchuck refused the mediation offered by the monk body.
Meanwhile, there was internal conflict in the
enemy’s camp. Their Desi appointee Gawa Zangpo could not support them. They
approached Zhabdrung Trulku Jigme Chogyal’s father to be Desi and side with
them. Zhabdrung’s father also declined their offer.
The first battle was fought at Medagang and
Dzonpons’s forces were defeated. Another battle was fought at Bjiligang where
Trongsa’s forces inflicted befitting defeat on the enemy.
Dzongpon Phuntsho Dorje fled to Thimphu. Ugyen
Wangchuck forces followed them towards Thimphu. The Trongsa forces attacked the
small garrison at Simtokha and captured the Simtokha Dzong.
Another battle was fought at Lungtenphu where Alu
Dorje’s chief fighter was killed. This made the enemy’s soldiers ran away in
disorder. Once again, Je khenpo proposed the mediation between the two parties where
both the parties agreed this time.
A meeting was arranged at Changlimithag for the next
day. In the meeting, Ugyen Wangchuck was represented by Paro Ponlop Dawa Penjor
and Phuntsho Dorje represented Alu Dorje. First a fighting broke out during
lunch time among the junior attendants. Trongsa Dronyer was supposed to act
first but his sword got entangled in the fold of his kabney, Phuntsho Dorje
attacked him. Then Paro Ponlop Dawa Penjor rushed to the scene to save Trongsa
Dronyer and killed Phuntsho Dorje.
On hearing the news of the killing of the Phuntsho
Dorje on the spot, Alu Dorje, brother Tshewang, Ex-Gongzin Tandin Ngodrup,
Damcho Rinchen, Ex-Gasa Dzongpon, Ex- Kalon Ngawang Sherab all deserted
Tashichhodzong and fled to Tibet. Dechen Zangmo also joined with Alu Dorje’s
team, where they married and had a son. They approached the regent of Tibet
Kunden Lingpa for help. Therefore, a conference was held at Phari in 1886 to
solve the issues between Tibetan reperesentatives and Bhutan. Bhutan was
represented by Bhutanese agent at Kalimpong Gongzim Ugyen Dorje. As per the
resolution of the conference, the rebels were allowed to return to Bhutan but
they would not join the civil service. To sustain their life, they were allowed
to collect taxes from people of Haa, Dungna, Gasa and Lingzhi.[2]
But before the implementation of the resolution of the conference, Alu Dorji
passed away.[3] But
Shakabpa writes that Bhutanese rebels approached His Holiness Dalai Lama’s
mediation. His Holiness Dalai Lama sent his representative Kalon Rampa to Paro
to settle the conflict. His Holiness Dalai Lama was the 13th Dalai Lama of
Tibet.
Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck took over the Dzong
and appointed his cousin Kuenzang Thinley as the next Thimphu Dzongpon. Desi Gawa
Zangpo was allowed to retire to a monastery. Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck
appointed the Yangpai Lopon Sangay Dorje as new Desi in the following year,
while Ugyen Wangchuck assumed the post of Gongzim to the Desi as well as
retained the post of Trongsa Penlop.
In January 1886, the agent of the Government of
Bhutan came to Buxa to receive the annual subsidy but was refused. The
Lieutennat Governor Rivers Thompson was in favor of providing subsidy but
Viceroy Lord Dufferein ruled out his decisions. Because Viceroy was very much concerned
about the political change in Bhutan. In
1890, Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck went to Lhalung where his uncle Kuenzang
Tenpai Nyima passed away. He came back to Bhutan in 1891. During the absence of
the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck, Bhutanese conducted raids in the frontier
of Kamrup in 1893. British India deducted the cost of the police post from the
annual subsidy to be paid to Bhutan. However, in 1894, British returned the
amount on the request of the Bhutanese Government.
In 1894, A.W. Paul, deputy Commissioner of
Darjeeling presented a rifle with a bayonet and
a scabbard and fifty round of ammunitions to the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen
Wangchuck.[4]
In 1888, there was a conflict between British India
and Tibet over the boundary in Sikkim. During the military operation, the
Tibetan requested the Bhutanese authorities to join them against the British.[5]
But the Bhutanese did not comply with the Tibetan request. Bhutanese wrote to
British of their peaceful and friendly attitude towards them and sent their
agents to help settle the difference between the British and Tibetans. But the
Bhutanese refugee Alu Dorje helped Tibetan to fight against the British India.[6]
Bhutanese did not provide assistance to Tibet as the Bhutan was concerned about
its subsidy from British India. If Bhutan helped Tibet against the British,
British would stop paying the subsidy to Bhutan.[7]
British
India used the subsidy as the tool to keep Bhutanese her side.
British India wanted to send its military expedition
to Lhasa. Military preparations were on full swing. Gongzim Ugyen Dorje who was
residing at Kalimpong was appointed Bhutanese agent at Kalimpong after the
Anglo-Tibetan conflict of 1888. Gongzim Ugyen Dorje was asked to write a letter
to His Holiness Dalai Lama in 1898. But His Holiness Dalai Lama did not want to
deal with British. In 1901, Gongzim Ugyen Dorje was sent to Lhasa with a letter
from British India but the letter was returned unopened by His Holiness Dalai
Lama. Tibetan suspected that Gongzim Ugyen Dorje was playing a role of spy on
the behalf of British India. So, in September, in 1902, Gongzim Ugyen Dorje was
not allowed to visit Tibet. His Holiness Dalai Lama also wrote a letter to
Trongsa Ponlop. However, Gongzim Ugyen Dorje was the man behind that made
Trongsa Penlop to accompany the British Mission to Lhasa to mediate between
British India and Tibet later in 1904. Gongzim Ugyen Dorje’s service to British
India was recognized and he was granted the title of Rai Bahadur on 1January
1905, when Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was awarded the “Knight Commander of
the Indian Empire”.
British India was concerned about the Bhutanese
attitude towards the British Expedition of Tibet 1904. The Bengal Government
suggested the Commissioner of Rajshahi should invite the Trongsa Penlop and
Paro Penlop to meet him at Buxa in 1903. Accordingly, on 9 October 1903, a
letter was sent to Trongsa Penlop inviting him to come to Buxa or to Kalimpong
whichever he found more convenient to meet C.R. Marindin, Commissioner of Rabshahi.
A gold watch and a chain were sent as presents to the Trongsa Penlop. To secure
Bhutanese friendship and co-operation, Lieutenant Governor Bengal and chief
Commissioner of Assam were both in favour of ceding to Bhutan a strip of territories
between the manas and the Darranga in the north of the Kamrup district. However, the Viceroy did not approve the
proposal. Trongsa Penlop on 15 November sent a letter to Marindin acknowledging
the receipt the present of gold watch and chain through Ugyen Dorje. Trongsa Penlop
further informed Marindin that he had sent a letter to Dalai Lama and he would
intimate Marindin after he received a reply from Dalai Lama. [8]
After the occupation of the Chumbi valley in December,
1903, the correspondence with the Bhutan Government was transferred to Colonel
Younghusband wrote on 25 December 1903 to both the Paro and Trongsa Penlop
requesting them to meet him at Chumbi Valley. Trongsa Penlop sent a Bhutanese
Envoy, Thimphu Dzongpon to meet Colonel Younghusband at Chumbi Valley. The Bhutanese Envoy arrived at Phari on 14
February 1904 and received by E.H. Walsh, assistant to Colonel. Thimphu
Dzongpon explained the delay was because of their waiting for the reply of
letter from Dalai Lama only. He gave assurances of friendship of the Bhutanese Government
for the British and handed over to E.H. Walsh a permit for the construction of
a road through Bhutan from Bengal to the Chumbi Valley. British India had
communicated to Bhutanese that they want to build a road connecting Chumbi valley,
so that they can send their supplies and reforecements to Lhasa during war.
British India carried out the survey work but never built the road. Thimphu
Dzongpon mediated the matter between the British and Tibet. When neither
British nor Tibet modify their stands, Thimphu Dzongpon returned to Bhutan.
TRANSLATION of a PERMIT granted for the CONSTRUCTION of a ROAD in BHOOTAN by the DHARMA RAJA, dated the llth day of the 1st month (correoponding to the 27th February 1904).
At
the present time, when there is a small dispute between the English and the Tibetans, the English
Saheb, Colonel Younghusband, Britiah Commissioner, having arrived at
Phari, and as the English and Bhootanese have been sincere friends from
the beginning up to the present
time, like a silk scarf without a spot, the Saheb friends have asked to
be allowed to open a travellers' road, in the lands of Pero Ringpung, namely,
in one or other of Saugbe, Ammo-chhu, aud De-chhu.
This permit is therefore granted for opening a travellers' road in one or other of the above noted places. No work shall be done likely to causce injury to the land adjoining the travellers' road on the right and left. Moreover, with regard to making halting places, except the making of houses for the Sahebs themvelves to remain in, no other injury of any sort is to be made. Moreover, the rent for the clearing and opening of the road will be settled by meeting and discussion between the Bhootanese* and English Officials from time to time. Therefore, the present order is given by the Bhootan Dharma Raja Desi. Dated the llth of the 1st month of the wood dragon year (corresponds to the 27th February 1904).
The 6th March 1904. E. H. WALSH.
When mediation conducted by Thimphu Dzongpon failed,
Trongsa Penlop out of his desire for peace wrote to the Maharaja of Cooch Behar
requesting him to use his influence over British to modify their stands.
Trongsa Penlop arrived at phari on 2 June 1904. He
was received by E.H. Walsh and given a guard of honour. Trongsa Penlop told
Walsh those British terms of peace was not acceptable to Dalai Lama and that
negotiations were impossible. Trongsa Penlop also told Colonel to cancel the
advance of the British Mission to Lhasa and said that “nothing would be gained
by the mission going to Lhasa” because Dalai Lama and his Council would leave
Lhasa before their arrival. However, Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was
consulted by Colonel Younghusband very often and also made Trongsa Penlop to
communicate the British terms of peace to Dalai Lama. On the other hand, Dalai
Lama also wrote to Trongsa Penlop and asked Trongsa to make the British
understand the Tibetan stand on the British Mission to Lhasa. At one point, Trongsa Ponlop said to the
Dalai Lama that Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan were bound by same religion and all the
three bordered on British India. These countries should consider British as
their friend. Trongsa further said that there shall be huge benefits being
remained friendly to British India. British Indian government ordered Colonel
Younghusband to sign the treaty by 25 June. Colonel Younghusband and his team
were waiting for the Tibtan delegates to come to Gyantse. On this backdrop, Trongsa Penlop informed
Colonel Younghusband that the Tibetan delegates were on the way to Gyantse and
asked Colonel Younghusband to extend the reporting date by two days. Colonel
Younghusband did extend the reporting date as per the advice of Trongsa Penlop.
But on the arrival at Gyantse, the Tibetan delegates wanted to interview or
meet the Trongsa Penlop only and not the Colonel Younghusband. The Tibetan
delegates met the Trongsa Penlop and Trongsa Penlop urged the Tibetan delegates
to cooperate with British Mission and further asked them what gain was there
for Tibet to obstruct the British Mission to Lhasa. At the end of the war, a
treatywas signed between British India and Tibet whereby Tibet should pay
British India a war indemnity of Rs. 7600,000/. On the advice of Trongsa Penlop
Ugyen Wangchuck, Colonel Younghusband reduced the war indemnity from Rs.7600,000/
to Rs.7500,000/[9]. Trongsa
Penlop Ugyen Wangcuck became a good friend of John claude White, Macdonald and
Colonel Younghusband. Colonel Younghusband said that: “The Tongsa Penlop I
found to be a straight, honest looking, dignified man of about forty-seven
years of age. He bore himself well, dressed well, gave me costly presents, and
altogether showed himself a man of importance and authority”. Trongsa Penlop
Ugyen Wangchuck was successful in mediating between the British India and
Tibet. Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was given lavish gifts by the Tibetan government such
as Tibetan hat.
Courtesy: Perceval (1905)
Although Bhutan took the role of mediation on the mission to Lhasa, Perceval (1905) who was also the member of the mission as Times correspondent mentioned that Bhutanese delegation also harassed and looted the properties of the common people of the Tibet on the process of marching towards Lhasa. But Colonel Young Husband did not mention in his book “India and Tibet”. The author of the political history of Tibet, Shakabpa was also silent on this matter.
Colonel Younghusband received expensive presents from Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck. Later on, Colonel Younghusband donated the gifts of the Bhutan Chief to Canadian Geographical Society in 1930.[10] Macdonald, the military Commander of the British expedition of 1904 also given a gift of Bhutanese sword and a betel box by Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck, who was commonly known as “Chief of Bhutan”. Macdonald deposited the sword and the betel box to the Marischal Museum.
Source: Livne (2013)
They
also exchanged letter each other even after the Lhasa mission was over. Druk
Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck wrote a letter to Colonel Young husband in 1912, 1922,
and 1924. Lobzang Shatri shared two letters of Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck and
one letter of Thimphu Dzongpon Kuenzang Thinley.
Trongsa
Penlop was welcomed back warmly by the central Government of Bhutan. On the
occasion of his returning to Country from Tibet, Zhabdrung’s mind reincarnation,
Jigme Chogyal composed a poem:
Trongsa Penlop Awarded the Knight Commander of Indian Empire - 1905
The British India Mission was successful and a
treaty was signed in 1904. Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck congratulated Colonel
Younghusband on the successful negotiations. British India was grateful to the
Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck for his services in negotiating the treaty with
Tibet. British India decided to recognize the services provided by Trongsa Penlop
Ugyen Wangchuck. Therefore, in 1905, Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was
conferred the insignia of a Knight Commander of India Empire. For this matter,
John Claude White, a political officer in Sikkim was sent to Punakha in April
1905. He was accompanied by Major F.M. Rennick from the Intelligence Department
and A.W. Paul. A.W. Paul was the special invitee of the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen
Wangchuck. The awarding ceremony of the badge of the Knight Commander of India
Empire was done at Punakha Dzong. In addition to the Knight, Trongsa Penlop
Ugyen Wangchuck was presented other gifts such as rifle, silver bowl, and the
emblem of material prosperity and Mr. White’s photographs of Tibet. The members
of the Mission made a visit to Trongsa and Jakar. In Jakar, Trongsa Penlop
Ugyen Wangchuck welcomed the white and his friends to the palace of Trongsa Penlop.
On their return journey, Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck reached them upto Pele
la and sees them off.
(Standing), F.M. Renick and A.W. Paul .1905
Source: Collister
In the following year, the Prince of Wales would be visiting India. For this occasion, White suggested repeatedly to the British India Governement that Trongsa Penlop should be invited along with the Panchen Lama of Tibet and the Maharaja of Sikkim. The British India Government approved the proposal put forward by White. Therefore, Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck came to Calcutta. He was given the 15 guns’ salute on his arrival. All the guests were accommoded in Hastings House. At Calcutta, Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck visited many important places and factories.
Visit to Calcutta: A group picture taken at Hastings House, Kolkata, during the visit in 1906 of Ugyen Wangchuck, the Trongsa Penlop of Bhutan, and Thutop Namgyel, the Chogyal of Sikkim.
John
Claude White Explored Eastern Bhutan – 1906
John Claude White
entered into Bhutan from Dewangiri. At Ra Deng, Trongsa Dronyer received the
John Claude White. White passed through Yongla Gonpa which is located some
distance away from the main road. Then White arrived at Chungkhar, the
residence of Trongsa Dronyer. The camping ground at Chungkhar was good. The
Dronyer had made some small huts for White and his team. White saw the Dronyer
was living in a temporary hut as his house was destroyed by the 1897
earthquake.
The outbreak of the
small pox was under control by the time White reached at Chungkhar. Mr. White
and team brought with them vaccinator and they vaccinated over hundred people
in the camp. Today, on the very spot, a chorten is constructed by Chungkhar
Ama.
On his way to
Trashigang, White also saw the site of iron-ores of Barshong, Khaling. White
went to Lhalung in Lhodrak through Lhuntse. At Lhalung, White again met Sir
Ugyen Wangchuck. Sir Ugyen Wangchuck went to Lhalung to install his nephew on
the throne of Peling Suntruel. White asked the British India Government that
Sir Ugyen Wangchuck should be given support. White further requested British
Government in India to provide Sir Ugyen Wangchuck some arms and ammunitions.
But Viceroy Lord Curzon did not take it seriously. Viceroy was in the opinion
that Mr. White was unduly pampering Sir Ugyen Wangchuck. White went on
proposing the revision of the treaty 1865 particularly the article VIII. He
also suggested further that even the subsidy amount should be increased to
100,000/-. Mr. White believed that Bhutan should have strong and stable
Government in the north of British India.
At Lhalung, Mr. White
and Sir Ugyen Wangchuck discussed a lot about the future developments of
Bhutan. In this regard, White wrote: “I
also spent much of time with the Trongsa discussing the affairs of Bhutan and
talking over his projects for improvement, roads, development and all very
interesting subjects”.
Trongsa
Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck Crown as First Hereditary Monarch – 1907
On 17 December 1907,
Sir Ugyen Wangchuck was enthroned as the first hereditary Monarch of Bhutan by
the people of Bhutan at Punakha. In the past, during the reign of Desi, there
were countless civil wars in the country. People were tired of the Desi system.
Bhutanese people were looking for a leader who would provide them peace and
happiness. Sir Ugyen Wangchuck was an
undisputable person to be a Monarch of Bhutan. Therefore, the representatives
of the people of Bhutan submitted their allegiances to Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck
and his future heirs to their Monarch in all times to come.
A Coronation Ceremony of the Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Hereditary Monarch of Bhutan.
Allegiance given by People of Bhutan to support Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck and future heirs
Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki
The enthroment ceremony of the Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck was attended by Mr. White and his friends. White was accompanied by Major Rennick, from an inttillengence department who came with White in 1905, Mr. Cambell who was a British trade agent at Yatung and Captain Hyslop.
After the coronation
ceremony of Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck was over, Mr. Campbell went back to
chumbi valley while Mr. Rennick and Hislop returned to India through Buxa. But Mr.
White remained behind at the request of the Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck to
discuss with him the new development projects for Bhutan. The developmental
projects include school education, population and trade, the construction of
roads, the mineral resoucrces and the cultivation of tea plants. But the single
factor that hampered the development was the lack of funds. They also discussed
that the funds would be raised through the sale of timber, operating mining and
carried out teaplantation on the waste land of the frontiers. They would press
the British Government of India for funds.[11]
Mr. White also brought the Rs. 50,000/- the subsidy amount and handed over to
the Druk Gyalpo at Punakha, although the subsidy amount was to deliver at Buxa.
When Druk Gyalpo Ugyen
Wangchuck came to know that White’s retirement was approaching, Druk Gyalpo
appealed to the Government of India to extend the White’s service but the new
Viceroy Lord Minto declined. Once again,
before, White went on retirement, he reminded the Government that the treaty of
1865 should be revised with an increase of annual subsidy to 100,000/, if
British Indian Government wanted to maintain good relationships with Bhutan.
The
Treaty of Punakha - 1910
Mr. Charles Bell also followed the footsteps of his
predecessor. Bell realized that Bhutan was vulnerable of the Chinese influence
from the north. China began invading Tibet in 1908.[12]
Before China invaded Tibet, British India wanted to update the treaty of
Sinchula 1865 with Bhutan. The British Indian Government approved the proposal
of the Charles Bell. Charles Bell was given the green signal to negotiate a new
treaty with Bhutan Government. In 1909, Charles Bell was sent to Bhutan to sign
the treaty. Charles Bell conducted negotiations with Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangcuck
through Gongzim Ugyen Dorje. On 15 December 1909, Bell received information
that the British terms were acceptable to the Government of Bhutan. Then Charles
Bell proceeded to Bhutan. Bell was accompanied by Captain Kennedy, the Medical
Officer at Gyantse, and arrived Punakha on 7 January 1910. The treaty was
signed and sealed on 8 January 1910.
Bhutan became protectorate of British India in privciple. But in reality British India did not treat Bhutan as her protectorate as British India did in Sikkim. In Sikkim British India controlled the internal matters of Sikkim but in Bhutan British India did not. British India included the clause in the treaty as the precautionary measures to protect Bhutan incase if there is any attack on Bhutan. This treaty gave the British India right to protect Bhutan only.
Druk
Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck attended the Coronation Darbar at Delhi
Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck was
invited to attend the Coronation Darbar at Delhi in 1911. The Druk Gyalpo was accompanied
by thirteen officials of Bhutan. Druk Gyalpo’s entourage includes the following
officials: Rai Bahadur Ugyen Dorji Kazi, Private Secretary to His Highness,
Budhibal Singh, Dugay Jongpen, Gasa Zimpon, Ngedup, Matoo, Paro Dunyi, Pema
Dorji, Pema Tsering, Peter Singh J., Poonakha Zimpon, Thimbu Zimpon and Tongsa
Zimpon.[13]
Druk Gyalpo was also invested with the insignia of Knight Commander of the Star of India (K.C.S.I.), and Gongzim Ugyen Dorji received the title of' Raja as a personal distinction.
Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck, Chogyal Thutob Namgyal of Sikkim and Charles Bell and Tashi Wangyal returning from the Coronation Durbar Audience,
12 december 1911
Courtesy: Private collection
The
Dismissal of Mr. John Claude White
To bring development in the country, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck explored different ways and means. One of the means was to use the available natural resources of a country. Druk Gyalpo took to harvest the forest resources to earn income in the southern frontier. In 1911, British India informed Bhutan that they would assist Bhutan in harnessing forest resources for Bhutan’s development. For this effect, Druk Gyalpo appointed his old friend Mr. White who retired from the service of the British India. Mr. White was to represent Druk Gyalpo in the development project. But unfortunately, Druk Gyalpo had to dismiss Mr. White on the alleged accusation of the financial irregularities in the project[14].
The
fixation of Boundary with British India and Sikkim
Besides, introduction of modern education and social development in the country, Druk Gyalpo also initiated to strengthen security of a country by fixing boundary. Druk Gyalpo’s reign saw the settlement of the boundary with British India particulary in Bhutan-Goalpara boundary. The boundary survey was carried out in 1911-1912 and found out that the pillar no.81 was shifted to one and half miles North West of the previously fixed position in 1872-73. Further, Druk Gyalpo also carried out the boundary talk with Sikkim and the boundary between Bhutan and Sikkim was fixed at Gipmochi[15].
Promotion
of Trade.
Druk Gyalpo also promoted trade
relations with British India. In 1914, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck made a visit
to Dewangiri. The objective of his mission was to establish a trade mart at
Dewangiri. The Royal discussed the issue with the Deputy Commissioner of the
Darrang, Kamarup and Goalpara. The other agenda that discussed in the meet was
the construction of a rest house of bungalo type at Tamalpur for Bhutanese
travelers.
Because of the Druk Gyalpo’s initiative, Bhutan was allowed to enter into Indian territory. The Deputy Commissioner of Darrang, Kamarup and Goalpara was given power to give permit to Bhutanese traders. The forest officials were instructed to keep the check posts open for Bhutanese travelers. In addition, both Bhutan and British India entered into an agreement that the business of capturing of elephants in the frontiers and then selling would carry out. The profit earned from the business should divide between Bhutan and British India equally[16].
Druk
Gyalpo Wangchuck and Modern Education
Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck knew
that modern education was essential to progress. In 1914 winter, 46 students
were sent to school at Kalimpong. In the
following summer, Bhutan opened a school at Haa. In 1915, the court school was
established at Bumthang.
During this time, World War I was
going on in Europe. Druk Gyalpo made a donation of one hundred thousand rupees
to the Imperial War Relief Fund. In 1919, Lord Chelmsford, Viceroy of India
conveyed to the Druk Gyalpo his appreciation to the sincere loyalty maintained
during the war period and contribution.
In 1919, during the outbreak of
cholera in Bhutan, Bell again made visit to Bhutan. He was accompanied by a
lady medical practioner, Dr. Ethel Cousin by a Nurse Brodie.[17]
In 1921, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen
Wangchuck submitted his twenty point’s plan of action with estimated amount of
Rs. 1, 30,000/- to the Viceroy of British India.[18]
It was recommended to the Lord Reading Viceroy that Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan
should be given facilities in India for the higher and specialized training of
some boys by the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal Ronaldshay. In 1923, Bhutan was
given a sum of Rs. 48,629. From 1924 to 1929, a few selected Bhutanese students
were trained in different technical Institutions in India.
|
Number
of Students |
Areas
of fields |
|
Two students |
Teachers |
|
Two students |
Sub Assistant
Surgeons |
|
Two students |
Tanners |
|
Three students |
Rangers |
|
One student |
Mining Engineer |
|
Two students |
Veterinary Assistant |
|
|
|
In 1923, Lord Ronaldshay
Lieutenant Governor of Bengal visited Bhutan to invest the Druk Gyalpo Ugyen
Wangchuck with the G.C.I.E. But Druk Gyalpo could not come to Paro or Punakha
to receive it as there was an out break of small pox in the Country. However,
in the following year, F.M. Bailey the political officer of Sikkim took it
Bumthang. Mr. Bailey was accompanied by Captain H.R.C. Meade, Bansi Ram, a
surveyor, Lt. Dyer, a civil surgeon in Sikkim.The awarding ceremony was
conducted at Kurje Lhakhang in Bumthang. Mr. Dyer treated Bhutanese people. He
had carried out surgical operations.
In 1924, Bailey again came to Bhutan to attend the installation of Sonam Tobgye Dorje as the Drungpa of Haa (Later Gongzim).
Druk
Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck and Dr. Graham
Dr. Graham was the founder of the
Scotish Missionery School at Kalimpong. Dr. Graham and Gonzim Ugyen Dorji
became best friend as they worked together for about twenty-seven years. Gonzim
Ugyen Dorji’s son Sonam Tobgye Dorji also studied at Homes School. Through
Gonzim Ugyen Dorji Dr. Graham also became a friend of Druk Gyalpo Ugyen
Wangchuck. Bhutan had grog shops in the southern frontiers. But these shops had
negative impacts on the tea planters. The workers of the tea plantation become
drunk on weekend and created social problems. Therefore, on the basis of
complain from the planters, British India Government objected the Bhutanese
shops and ordered to create a dry zone in the frontiers. But Bhutan would lose
the revenue which earn from the shops. So in 1915 Dr. Graham was asked to speak
by Gongzim Ugyen Dorji on behalf of Bhutan Government. Dr. Graham wrote a letter to the Secretary of
the Bengal Government. In a letter, he suggested that Bhutan should be paid a
compensation for the loss of her revenue. A positive note was received from the
Bengal Government. Since then Bhutan also agreed to shift the shops ten mile
away from the boundary between the two countries and received an annual
compensation.
Therefore, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck was very much pleased with Dr. Graham and sent him a gift of silver and Rs. 10,000/. So in 1921, Dr. Graham was invited to Bhutan. He was received with warm welcome every where in Bhutan. Dr. Graham and Druk Gyalpo had a good deal of discussion about the affairs of Bhutan and Dr. Graham wrote: “We had many talks regarding the constitution and Government of Bhutan and of ways in which the people might be helped. Together with him and the Kumar, I drew up an appeal to the Viceroy”.
Dr. Graham introduced the use of
iodine for the treatment of goitre. Dr. Graham observed that tape worm was
another prevalent disease. He also was struck by the high incidence of leprosy.
On 24th April 1922, Dr. Graham on
the command of the Druk Gyalpo wrote a long list of developmental activities
that could be carried out in Bhutan for futther development.
- Increase the population, while reducing the
number of religious people in the country, who were a burden on the economy.
- Sanitation and drainage must be improved.
- Tea plant would grow
well. This would encourage the people to drink tea other than the country
liquor which was causing them so much harm.
- Improve methods
of weaving. The silk industry could be extended with the cultivation of
mulberry silk. He also thought that craftswork such as woodwork; bamboo and
cane work had a future.
- Education should
be given priority so that everyone, male and female, could read and write.
- construction of
good roads was another priority
- Form an effective Council of State which should hold regular meetings to discuss matters affecting the country.
On 2nd June 1925, Dr Graham wrote
again to the Druk Gyalpo elaborating on some of the programs that interested him.
He complimented the Druk Gyalpo on the progress made and stressed the need to
train some of the brighter Bhutanese boys as doctors, foresters and tea
planters. Although Dr. Graham’s
suggestions were practical, the developmental projects would require large
amount of money. Bhutan was still a poor country economically.
Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck also shared his concern of the Bhutanese enclave at Kongri of Mount Everest where Tibetan Government collects salt taxes from the people living there. Dr. Graham communicated to Mr. Bell to discuss with the Tibetan Government on the issues in 1912. Druk Gyalpo also raised the old issues that the fifth Dalai Lama took away the lands belonging to the Bhutanese owned monastery of Tö ling Tsurpo in Tibet, a day’s journey from Lhasa. Druk Gyalpo asked Mr. Bell if he could discuss with Lhasa Government to return this property. But Mr. Bell did not discuss the issues considering the relevancy of the issues.
Dr. Graham at the extreme right
Source: Williamson, M.D. (1987)
[1]
Tshewang (1994), Damcho Lhundrup (2008) writes Dongkar
[2]
Damcho (2008)
[3]
CASPD
[4]
Labh (1974)
[5]
Nornang & Esptein
[6]
Labh (1974)
[7]
Miele
[8]
Labh (1974)
[9]
Colonel Younghusband (1919), Mehra (1968)
[10]
Younghusband (1910), Livne
(2013)
[11]
White (1909, 2005)
[12]
Richardson (1945), Ahmad (1960)
[13] Coronation Durbar Delhi 1911
[14]
Singh (1988)
[15]
Singh (1988), Das Smriti (2005)
[16]
Das Smriti, (2005)
[17]
Mckay (2007)
[18]
Tshering Tashi (..)
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