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The
ancient period of Bhutan that dates from the beginning till the 8th
century AD, was marked by rural settlement, domestication of animals,
agriculture, the first advent of Buddhism and subsequent buildings of
Buddhist temples.
The visit of Guru
Padmasambhava and other Buddhists saints and scholars from India and
Tibet marked the medieval Bhutan. Emergence of ruling clans and
development of arts and architecture were also seen during this period.
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, a leader of the Drukpa sect, came to Bhutan
in 17th century. He introduced the dual system of Government and for
the first time some degree of stability was maintained, which was
unseen before. But this did not last long. After Ngawang Namgyal’s
death, successors became victims of intrigues and rivalries. The
instability continued till the early 20th century.
The country’s modern period began with the establishment of monarchy in
Bhutan. The powerful Bhutanese Chief, Ugyen Wangchuk was crowned as the
first hereditary ruler of Bhutan in 1907. The country’s self-imposed
policy of isolation continued till the reign of the third king Jigme
Dorji Wangchuk. He decided to shed this age-old policy and introduced
the country to the outside world, bringing the country into the
international mainstream.
Though the country is known as Bhutan to the outside world, to
Bhutanese it has been known as Druk Yul ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’.
The people call themselves Drukpas.
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