Drukyul is the name by which the Bhutanese refer to their country. Located in the eastern Himalayan zone, it covers an area of approximately 46,000 square kilometers. This landlocked kingdom is bounded to the north and northwest by the Tibetan regions of China and to the south by the Indian states of West Bengal and Assam. The spectacular mountainous terrain of Bhutan is easily one of the most rugged in the world, rising in altitude from a few hundred meters in the south to the permanently snow capped peaks in the north. These extremes of topography result in a diversity of temperatures and rainfall. Consequently the variety in flora and fauna, ranging from the subtropical to the alpine, is sensational.
This country of 600,000 people can be broadly divided into three ecological zones. The northern zone, bordering Tibet, where the peaks rise above 7,000 meters, is the most sparsely populated part of the country. This alpine region is inhabited by pastoralists, the Brokpas, who graze their sheep, cattle and yak up to elevations of 5,000 meters in the summer and migrate to lower areas in the winter. The Drukpas, who are of Mongoloid origin, live in the western part of the central zone. They are followers of the Drukpakagyu school of Buddhism from which the name of the country, Drukyul or land of the Drukpas is derived. Drukyul is also taken to mean land of the dragons (Druk means dragon). The eastern part of the central zone is home to the Sharchokpas (easterners). The Lhostampas or people of Nepali origin, who came to the country towards the end of the nineteenth century, live in the southern foothills which rise from the Indian plains. Over 90 percent of the population are engaged in subsistence farming, combining crops, livestock and forestry.
It is thought that Bhutan may have been inhabited as early as 2,000 Be. But in the absence of any archeological studies it is generally accepted that the two Buddhist temples, Kyichu Lhakhang in the Paro Valley and Jampa Lhakhang in the Bumthang Valley represent the only testimony to the country’s earliest history. These temples are said to have been constructed by the Tibetan King Srongtsan Gompo, who ruled Tibet from about 627 to 649. The most important religio-historical event in Bhutan’s history was the arrival of Padmasambhava, a Tantrist from Swat (in present-day Pakistan) in the eighth century. Commonly known as Guru Rinpoche or Precious Teacher, he introduced Tantric Buddhism and is considered by the Nyingmapa religious school as the second Buddha. Prior to his arrival the people seem to have been animists. The subsequent period, up to the seventeenth century, was marked by the activities of many saints and scholars who left their influence upon the country in various ways.
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1595-1651) unified the country and introduced a sophisticated administrative and legal system. He established the dual system of government consisting of a state clergy headed by the Je Khenpo (chief abbot) and the desi (temporal leader). He initiated the building of dzongs or fortresses which not only housed monasteries but also were the seat of the regional governments. The majestic dzongs, which may still be seen all over the country, not only bear witness to the architectural skills of that time but also are treasure troves of exquisite sculpture, paintings, and frescoes. They still serve as the seat of the local administration under the district administrator or Dzongdha. The dual system was replaced by a hereditary monarchy in 1907. His Majesty King Jigme Singhe Wangchuck is the fourth hereditary king.
For political reasons and also because of its almost inaccessible and rugged terrain, Bhutan survived in self-imposed isolation until the late nineteen fifties. In the few decades since Bhutan has opted to emerge from its isolation, it has made considerable progress in its efforts to modernize. Changes have reached every aspect of Bhutanese society. While the Bhutanese are willing to forge ahead and keep up with the changing times, they also see themselves as upholders of Buddhist values as well as their own traditions and ancestral customs. They dearly cherish the goal of finding a balance between tradition and modernization and the influence of this aspiration is apparent not only in the life styles of the people but also in all the policies of the government.
Bhutan was opened to tourism in 1974. Although tourism brings in much needed currency, it is restricted. The lack of infrastructure and tourist facilities as well as Bhutan’s efforts to preserve her natural and cultural heritage are the main reasons for the restrictions. Individual travelers cannot visit the country unless officially invited by the government. All tourists must come to Bhutan through one of the government approved travel agencies. The guide book Bhutan the Himalayan Kingdom by Françoise Pommaret published by Passport Books is highly recommended for accurate and detailed information on the country.