19 Facts About Ugyen Wangchuck

Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was the first Druk Gyalpo and founding father of the Kingdom of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926.

Ugyen Wangchuck was born in Wangdicholing Palace, Jakar, Bumthang in 1862.

In 1876, when he was 14, Ugyen joined his father in fighting the rebellious Penlop of Paro, Tshewnag Norbu.

Ugyen Wangchuck was kidnapped by one of his father's enemies, Damcho Rinchen.

Ugyen Wangchuck tried to reconcile with the enemies of his father, offering gifts to monasteries that disliked Jigme Namgyal, and showing kindness and forbearance to those that had personally wronged his father.

In 1882, after a period of strife and civil war, Ugyen Wangchuck assumed the position as the Penlop of Trongsa, a post his father had held.

Two of Ugyen Wangchuck's trusted allies, Alu Dorji and Phuntsho Dorji, rebelled against him and attempted to instate a monk of their choosing as the 55th Druk Desi.

Ugyen Wangchuck founded the monarchy in 1907, although he had been more or less the actual ruler for more than a decade.

On 17 December 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected unanimously by the representatives of the people, the officials and the clergy and enthroned as the first hereditary King of Bhutan in Punakha Dzong.

Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was not yet formally the King, but the role he took clearly suggests that he was indeed the ruler for all practical purpose for many years before he was crowned King in 1907.

King Ugyen Wangchuck's last visit to India took place in 1911, when he went to Delhi to meet King George V, who had been the Prince of Wales when they met earlier in 1906 in Kolkata, the seat of Viceroy of India.

King Ugyen Wangchuck was acutely conscious that Bhutan must to be protected through times of regional conflict and rivalries.

Ugyen Wangchuck's Majesty was exquisitely farsighted in updating the treaty of 1865 in 1910, with an additional clause.

King Ugyen Wangchuck had close relationship with many Buddhist spiritual masters such as Lama Serkong Dorji Chang, Terton Zilnon Namkha Dorji, and the 15th Karmapa Khachyab Dorji.

Ugyen Wangchuck's Majesty was a great benefactor to the dratshangs throughout the country.

Kagyu Lama Togden Shacha Shri, with whom King Ugyen Wangchuck corresponded a great deal, supervised the renovation on behalf of King Ugyen Wangchuck.

King Ugyen Wangchuck's commitment was not only confined to spreading monastic education.

King Ugyen Wangchuck took the initiative to sow the seeds of western education, as well as strengthen the roots of dharma in Bhutan.

On 21st August 1926, aged 64, King Ugyen Wangchuck died at Thinley Rabten Palace in Wangdue Phodrang in the lap of his eldest son.