Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck- Rise and Legacy of His Father & Battle of Changlimithang (1885)

 

Rise of Ugyen Wangchuck and His father's legacy

Ugyen Wangchuk like his father, tried to strengthen political unity through different strategies such as appointing relatives and close allies to key (important) positions, initiating mediation and negotiation, engaging in battles, etc. between rivalries and individual rivals and rebellions.  But the most important strategy that he used was a “network of alliances” through inter-marriages. For example, he took Chimme Dorji’s sister (Jakar Dzongpoen) Rinchen Pemo as his wife and his sister (Yeshi Choden) to Chimme Dorji. 

Other examples: Thinley Tobgay (elder brother) as Wangdue Dzongpoen, Dawa Penjor ( cousin and son of Dorji) as Paro Poenlop, Chimmi Dorji (cousin and son of Pema Tenzin) as Jakar Dzongpoen, Phuntsho Dorji (Punakha Dzongpoen) and Alu Dorji (Thimphu Dzongpoen).

[***He bequeathed Wangduechoeling Palace to his sisters Yeshi Choden and Chimmi Dorji.]

Battle of Changlimithang (Last internal strife)-1885

For the last time, Trongsa Poenlop Ugyen Wangchuk had to face the rebellion caused by his two adopted brothers Alu Dorji  (Thimphu Dzongpoen) and Phuntsho Dorji (Punakha Dzongpoen). In other words, the battle signified the end of internal feuds. The struggle is also referred to as the “Battle of Changlimithang” in the history of Bhutan.

Source: Google

Causes :

>>>Alu Dorji and Phuntsho Dorji enthroned a new Desi as their nominee although the reigning Desi was already on the throne. New Desi was enthroned without informing the Trongsa Poenlop which was an open act of revolt against Ugyen Wangchuk’s authority.

>>>The duo (Phuntsho Dorji and Alu Dorji) also planned an assassination conspiracy by bribing Trongsa Dronyer. But their plan was not successful as the loyal Dronyer reported the conspiracy directly to Poenlop Ugyen Wangchuk.

>>>Ugyen Wangchuk did not react instantly against his two adopted brothers instead called for negotiation (because he was worried that it would disturb the internal stability as well as civil war would cause suffering for the people). They agreed to meet in Shar. But the two adopted brothers failed to come as agreed which made Ugyen Wangchuk decide to an immediate action.

Events:

Ugyen Wangchuk led an army of about 2140 from his region (Sharchog khorlo Tshibgye) and marched on to Punakha. He had to fight two consecutive battles in Mendagang and Jiligang in Punakha. Phuntsho Dorji fled towards his ally Alu Dorji in Thimphu. Reaching Simtokha, Ugyen Wangchuk was able to take under the control of the dzong. Alu Dorji’s troops tried to stop Ugyen Wangchuk's advancing army. A brief battle was fought at Lungtenphu killing Alu Dorji’s champion fighter. Central Monk Body once again intervenes between the rivalries for negotiation. The parties agreed to meet at Changlimithang. Dawa Penjor represented Ugyen Wangchuk and Phuntsho Dorji from the opposing party. During the midday meal, certain treacherous incident led Phuntsho Dorji to kill one of the Ugyen Wangchuk’s men (veteran army of Jigme Namgyal) which made Dawa Penjor appear to rescue, killing Phuntsho Dorji on the spot. Alu Dorji after hearing the death of his ally fled to Tibet.

Result/outcome:

With the end of the battle, the internal strife in the country finally came to an end. Trongsa Poenlop Ugyen Wangchuk emerged as the undisputed leader of the country. He developed a network of alliances through matrimonial and appointing relatives and close allies to the key positions. He also commanded superior armies. On the adv of the Khyentse Rinpoche and Kongtruel  Rinpoche constructed an image of Guru Nangsi Zilnoen (ག྄་རུ་སྣང་སྲིད་ཟིལ་གནོན), a three-storied statue of Guru Rinpoche for the spiritual well being and prosperity of the country at Kurje in 1894.