Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck: Bhutan and British India Relationship.

British and Bhutanese relation improved when Bhutan stood neutral as Tibetans asked for the Bhutanese help in occupying Sikkim in 1888. Bhutan refused to join the Tibetans at which, British appreciated her neutrality.  Bhutanese, especially Trongsa poenlop Ugyen Wangchuk was invited by British to accompany them in their expedition to Tibet.  Bhutan mediated between British and Tibetans during the crisis which earned lots of applauds from them. British appreciated

Sitting (from left) - Sir Ugyen Wang Chuk, Major Rennick, Mr Paul
Source: Google

The relation between Bhutan and British gradually improved during the Trongsa Poenlop Ugyen Wangchuck. The main incidences that helped in improvement in relationship with British was due to:

1. Bhutan's NEUTRAL stand during Tibetan occupation of Sikkim in 1888 (Ugyen Wangchuck refused to intervene at the event despite Tibetan invitation to help them).

2. Ugyen Wangchuck brought the Tibetan-British conflict to a peaceful negotiation with the signing of Potala/Lhasa/Anglo-Tibetan Treaty of 1904.

*****Details of Anglo-Tibetan War

Ugyen Wangchuk in Lhasa, 1903.
Image courtesy: Facebook.

Causes:

British always wanted to have a trade links opened with Tibet (although their plan was hampered after Nepalese invasion on Tibet, 1792). So as they felt Russian were influencing Tibetans, British started to be more aggressive and declared war on Tibet.

Events: 

In 1903, British sent an armed expedition to Lhasa via Chumbi valley. They declared war on Tibet in 1904. Ugyen Wangchuk was invited a mediator between British and Tibetans. Kuenzang Thinley was sent to received warmly by the British. Ugyen Wangchuk at the back of his mind, did not want Tibetans to be defeated as British troops were better-equipped than Tibetans. Ugyen Wangchuk later joined the expedition on request of British although Central Monk Body and Lhengye Tshog opposed in joining in expedition. This was because:

i) They were concerned for his personal safety.

Ugyen Wangchuk was accompanied by Ugyen Dorji and Kuenzang Thinley with British officer Colonel Francis Younghusband. British gave Tibetans crushing defeat twice . The expedition was received with full ceremonial procession in Lhasa. Ugyen Wangchuk and Nepalese Resident were the Chief Negotiator.

Outcome/Result:

A treaty was signed on Setember 7th, 1904 at Potala Palace (also called Potala Treaty). A peaceful settlement was brought through this treaty between British and Tibetans.

'Sir' Ugyen Wangchuck

Knight Commander of the Indian Empire (KCIE) title was conferred to Trongsa Poenlop by the British. It was presented to him by John Claude White (Political Officer in of Sikkim). This was in appreciation of his successful mediation between British and Tibetans. Title of “Sir” was also given to Ugyen Wangchuk as a respect by the British. John Claude White even accompanied Ugyen Wangchuk to Tibet when 9^th Peling Suntruel was abbot of Lhalung.

Sir Ugyen Wangchuk adorned with the K.C.I.E. medal.

**Significance (importance) of the insignia

• ·             It signifies British had trust on Ugyen Wangchuk and the Bhutanese,
• ·            The relationship grew stronger between the two countries,
• ·    Bhutan was seen by the outsider as strong nation with a capable leadership under Ugyen Wangchuk.

Gongzim Ugyen Dorji and his Contributions

Ugyen Dorji (Son of Sharpa Puenchung from Pala Gyaltshen) was appointed as Gyadrung (Officer-in-charge in the south) a representative to Trongsa Poenlop. Ugyen Dorji was brought up in India and has known many languages that would benefit his service to the country. British were able to contact with Bhutan through him and was referred as “ Bhutan Agent”. He was given the jurisdiction from ‘Amartala  in East to Daga in the West’. As a Gyadrung, his first assignment was to discuss about Alu Dorji who was living in Tibet trying to influence the Tibetans which will have hamper the stability in the country. Ugyen Dorji arranged a meeting between the Bhutanese and Tibetans to discuss about Alu Dorji at Phari in 1898.  The First Modern School was established at Haa in CE 1913 (Gongzim Ugyen Dorji Central School, today)

Source: google

First English-Medium School: Gongzim Ugyen Dorji Central School, Haa.
Source: Google

Treaty of Punakha (January 8, 1910)

Bhutan and British decided to finally replace/revise/amend/change the Treaty of Sinchula of 1865 by a new treaty. It was signed between king Ugyen Wangchuk and Sir Charles Bell (British Political Officer) on January 8th, 1910 at Punakha.

***Clauses/terms/provisions of the treaty:

-Annual compensation will be increased from 50,000 Rupees to 100,000 Rupees,

-Bhutan agreed to obey to the advice of the British Government,

-British will not ever interfere in the internal affairs,

-British will not station their Resident Office in Bhutan,

-Any disputes (cases) with the Rajas of Cooch Behar and Sikkim should be referred to British Government, etc

King Ugyen Wangchuk with King of Sikkim at Delhi Coronation Durbar.
Source:Google

**Significance (importance) of the treaty  

 -Relationship between the Bhutanese and British further became strong

- Bhutan was recognized as independent and sovereign nation

- Bhutan and British would gain from free trade.

(Even Sir Ugyen Wangchuk was invited to visit India during Coronation Durbar at Delhi and met with the British Monarch King George V of England).