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| Rare photo of Desi Jigme Namgyal. Source: Bold Bhutan Beckons (Tim Fischer & Tashi Tshering) |
1851:
Jigme Namgyal once again turned his interest towards the West because of help sought by the Zhabdrung’s supporter. When the 38th Desi died, Chakpa Sangay (Wangdue Dzongpoen) tried to claim the throne but Central Monk Body declined in the meantime Zhabdrung Jigme Norbu was installed as the 39th Desi in Thimphu. However, Zhabdrung was shortlived and Chagpa Sangay once again took the opportunity to occupy the seat and proclaimed as 40th Desi. Supporter of Zhabdrung did not like the new Desi and asked for Jigme Namgyal’s intervention. With the request sent from Punakha, immediately Jigme Namgyal traveled towards Punakha where, he killed Tapoen Migthoe, the famous giant of Chagpa Sangay. Not after long as a Desi, Chagpa Sangay was being killed due to smallpox sent through silk who contracted withintervenes the germs by Agay Haap, the Paro poenlops.
** Importance of his intervention in the West:-
Although the success was not to the satisfaction of Jigme Namgyal, however, he got the name and fame as the person who killed the famous Migthoe as well as he got lots of experiences which will be helpful in his political career.
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| Portrait Painting: Jigme Namgyal, "Deb Nagpo" |
1853:
Jigme Namgyal became the next Trongsa Poenlop in 1853 as he was promised by Tshoki Dorji for rescuing from the assassination in Punakha. Soon after one year of becoming the Trongsa Poenlop.
1854:
In 1854, there rose the problem for the seat of Druk Desi between Thimphu and Wangdue Dzongpoen. The 41st Desi Jamtruel Jamyang Tenzin was besieged by Thimphu Dzongpoen. In the meantime, JIgme Namgyal intervene and solve the problem diplomatically (friendly and peaceful manner). As the situation was brought under peaceful control, this diplomatic triumph gained him lots of political influence. On his appreciation for peaceful mediation, Central Government granted him
- Autonomous administration and right to appoint the Dzongpoens in the Eastern regions,
- Retain a large share of annual compensation from the annexed Assam Duars by the British.
*** Trongsa Poenlop Jigme Namgyal, after this incident, had full control of the Eastern and Central region and less depended on the Central Government in Punakha.
1857: Battle of Shamkhar, Bumthang.
Causes | Events | Result |
*Tshondrue Gyaltshen, the Jakar Dzongpoen and son of Tshoki Dorji (Former Trongsa Poenlop) claiming the promise of the seat of Trongsa Poenlop after three years from Jigme Namgyal *Jigme Namgyal made no sign of honoring the promise and understanding, so Tshongdrue Gyaltshen revolted against Jigme Namgyal. | *Desi from the Central Government and Tshondrue Gyaltshen fought against Jigme Namgyal. *Je Khenpo and Zhabdrung’s Zimpoen settled the dispute between the rivals. | * Jakar Dzongpoen to be promoted to Poenlop. *Some of the eastern regions were given to the power of Tshondrue Gyaltshen. *Jigme Namgyal built Wangduecholing Palace on the Samkhar battlefield to celebrate his victory as Trongsa Poenlop. |
1862:
After Jigme Namgyal conflicted with Tsondrue Gyaltshen, in 1861/1861, Darlung Tobgay (Punakha Dzongpoen) ousted the reigning Desi and installed Wangdue Phodrang Dzongpoen as the new Desi with an agreement that Darlung Tobgay be appointed the Wangdue Dzongpoen. But the failure of appointing him as the promised Dzongpoen made Darlung Tobgay to sought help from Trongsa Poenlop Jigme Namgyal and Jakar Poenlop Tsondrue Gyaltshen. Both the combined armies of Trongsa and Jakar defeated the Desi at Lungtenphu.
Jigme Namgyal was not laid back by the defeat instead gathered a large force against the British and defeated them during the battle at Deothang where captured the British as prisoners and cannons.
ARTICLE III –Bhutan should surrender all the captive British prisoners and cannons.
ARTICLE IV- Bhutan will be compensated with an annual subsidy of Rs. 50, 000/-
Jigme Namgyal became the Zimpoen to the Represented Zhabdrung young Chogley Yeshey Nguldrup the responsibility of rearranging the government fell on him. Darlung Tobgay got his desired post as Wangdue Dzongpoen and Thimphu Dzongpoen who wisely helped the Trongsa poenlops got appointed as the new Desi. Jigme Namgyal appointed one of his relatives as the Thimphu Dzongpoen.
*** After these incidents, Jigme Namgyal by now gained paramount authority having to appoint not only the Dzongpoens in the Eastern and Central regions, even the Desis and Dzongpoens in the West were to be appointed by him. This rapid jurisdiction of Jigme Namgyal was gained within 10 years as Trongsa Poenlop (1853-1863).
1864-65: Jigme Namgyal and Duar War
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| During the siege on Diwangiri (Deothang). Courtesy: Wikiwand |
When the Ashley Eden Mission failed, the British declared war on Bhutan on November 12, 1864, attacking Bhutan from the South. And finally, after one year, the war concluded with the signing of the Treaty of Sinchula on November 11, 1865.
When British Mission like Ashley Eden Mission came to Bhutan with a proposal (point of discussion), they were humiliated and insulted by the Bhutanese officials. This humiliation was because of the following valid point based on the views of the Bhutanese, especially Jigme Namgyal:
- Jigme Namgyal did not like the Ashley Eden Mission of 1864 coming to Bhutan because he felt it wasn’t an appropriate time as well as uninvited and unwelcome.
- British were asking the Bhutanese government to station a British resident (office) at Punakha which Jigme Namgyal felt that if accepted it would mean a British domination on Bhutan.
- The mission did not fulfill the wishes of Jigme Namgyal to include the return of Assam Duars in the discussion.
(Courtesy: https://www.raonline.ch/pages/bt/visin/bt_hist01d.html)
Jigme Namgyal was not laid back by the defeat instead gathered a large force against the British and defeated them during the battle at Deothang where captured the British as prisoners and cannons.
Final Outcome:
Jigme Namgyal After this defeat on the British at the Yongla Goenpa incident, the British by then recognized him as the main leader of Bhutan.
Treaty of Sinchula (November 11, 1865. Punakha)
ARTICLE I -There shall henceforth be perpetual peace and friendship between the British Government and the Government of Bhutan.
ARTICLE II –Start free trade between the two countries.ARTICLE III –Bhutan should surrender all the captive British prisoners and cannons.
ARTICLE IV- Bhutan will be compensated with an annual subsidy of Rs. 50, 000/-
1867-69 and 1870: 51st Druk Desi
Jigme Namgyal resigned from the post of Trongsa Poenlop in 1866, giving the seat to his elder brother Dungkar Gyaltshen. Although Jigme Namgyal was officially retired from the post but was politically active as the internal feuds (problems/disputes) were still arising in the western regions.
In 1867, the disputes between Thimphu Dzongpoen (Kawang Mangkhel, newly appointed by Wangdue Dzongpoen) and Wangdue Phodrang Dzongpoen (Darlung Tobgay) against Punakha Dzongpoen arise in the Western region. Punakha Dzongpoen asked for the Jigme Namgyal’s assistance and Jigme Namgyal arrived with large armies against these rebel Dzongpoens (Thimphu and Wangdue Dzongpoens). However, the Central Monk Body brought peaceful settlement between those rivalries.
The settlement could not last long as the Wangdue and Thimphu Dzongpoens were planning to get assistance from the outsider such as British and Chinese interventions. In 1869, after two years of settlement, Jigme Namgyal who heard their plan for outsider intervention could not resist and decided to act instantly. The new Wangdue Phodrang (Nephew of Darlung Tobgay) and Kawang Mankhel were garrisoned (surrounded by large armies) and had also set Thimphu Trashichoedzong on fire. During the negotiation, both Darlung Tobgay and his nephew were murdered. Kawang Mankhel who have returned to save the Thimphu Dzong from ablaze was later granted free.
Jigme Namgyal always preferred peaceful negotiation and mediation during his earlier incidences. His action in the later incident seems violent such as killing his rivals during the negotiation and setting the Dzong on fire. But, this was inevitable as such plans of inviting the outside forces (British and Chinese) into the internal problem would mean an ominous future for Bhutan.
Jigme Namgyal finally saw the need for a strong Central Authority to ensure the future of the country. So he ascended to the throne as 51st Druk Desi in 1870. After three years, the seat of Desi was given to his cousin Kitchelp Dorji Namgyal (son of Pala Gyeltshen) in 1873.
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| (The Crown Prince HRH Jigme Namgyal Wangchuk on the throne of 49th Druk Desi, Jigme Namgyal). courtesy: google |
1881:
Jigme Namgyal secured the country with strong central authority due to his de facto (having complete power in the country) control although he retired officially from the services.
He was said to have succumbed to death in 1881 due to injury caused after falling off from the yak near Hongtsho on his journey to Simtokha from Punakha.
Before his death, his sons and daughters were fully advised on the importance of living united and helping each other against any threats to the future of the country. In 1881, after 56 years, The Leader of Destiny breathed for the last time with the country completely unified until the problems later erupted during his son's period.
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