 Till well into the 17th Century, Bhutan was
split up into small independent principalities.
After the arrival of Buddhism, during the
seventh century, the various Buddhist schools
began sharing the power in the country with the
old aristocratic families.
The cleric Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel united the
independent principalities into one state. After
his death the theocracy disintegrated and the
provincial lords fought to gain control over the
central power. Only the establishment of the
monarchy in 1907 brought peace again. Today the
fourth King of Bhutan is leading his country
into modern times. |
History Of Bhutan
