The earliest written reference to Bhutan, described as the Southern Valleys, is in Tibetan Buddhist texts from the seventh century. In the eighth century the Buddhist saint Guru Rinpoche visited the area, and the religion spread. Although the valleys were ruled by competing chieftains, both political and religious power became concentrated in the hands of members of the Drukpa Kagyudpa school of Buddhism, which was established in West Bhutan by Phajo Drugom Shigpo during the thirteenth century.
This process of consolidation reached a peak in the seventeenth century, when Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the leader of
The Drukpa Kagyudpa, fortified the region and instituted legal and political practices, some of which continued into the twentieth century.
Contact with the British colonial administration in India began in the eighteenth century, and after a brief territorial war with Britain in 1864-1865, the relationship was friendly. Bhutan retained control over its internal affairs, but Britain advised Bhutan on international matters. Bhutan's current dynasty began in 1907 with the crowning of King Ugyen Wangchuk.
After India gained its independence from Britain in 1947, it replaced Britain as Bhutan's adviser and military protector. This relationship was formalized in 1949.
World History
