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HISTORY OF BHUTAN
Until the early 1600s, Bhutan existed as a mix of minor warring fiefdoms until unified by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Starting 1616, he initiated a program of fortification and military consolidation, overseeing the construction of impressive dzongs or fortresses such as Simtokha Dzong which guards the entrance to Thimphu valley. An insightful leader, he used cultural symbols as well as military force to establish a Bhutanese national identity, including the initiation of a number of sacred dances to be performed in the annual tsechu festivals.
The Shabdrung also established the dual system of government by which control of the country was shared between a spiritual leader (the Je Khempo) and an administrative leader (the Desi Druk), a policy which exists in modified form to this day.
After the Shabdrung's death, the civil war eroded the power of the shabdrung for the next 200 years until 1885, when the Penlop of Trongsa, Ugyen Wangchuck gained an upper hand over rival forces.
The 1870s and 1880s were marked by civil war between the rival power centers of Paro and Trongsa valleys. In 1885, Ugyen Wangchuck, the penlop (governor) of Trongsa, gained control of the country and ended the civil war.
Monarchy as a system of government was formally established on December 17th, 1907 with Ugyen Wangchuck as the First King of Bhutan. This day is celebrated today as the National Day of Bhutan. King Ugyen Wangchuck was succeeded by Prince Jigme Wangchuk, as the second king of Bhutan in 1926. The first and second kings of Bhutan exercised absolute powers in the matters of the state and brought about milestone changes in the country.
However, the third and fourth kings of Bhutan promoted the elimination of their own absolute powers. Beginning in 1969 and lasting until his death in 1972, the Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, ended his veto power over the National Assembly. After his death, the National Assembly gave back the veto power to Jigme Sinye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, who eventually continued his father's policy of limited government and convinced the assembly in 1998 to formally end the absolute veto power of the king, arguing that it was better for the future of the country that his powers be circumscribed by theirs.
In December 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced that he would abdicate in 2008 to coincide with the first national election and introduction of Bhutan's new constitution. However, a year later he announced his immediate abdication and handed power over to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (who was 26 at the time).
On March 26, 2005, "an auspicious day when the stars and elements converge favourably to create an environment of harmony and success", the king and government distribute a draft of the country's first Constitution, requesting that every citizen review it. A new house of parliament, the National Council, is chartered consisting of 20 elected representatives from each of the dzongkhags along with 5 distinguished persons selected by the King. The National Council would be paired with the other already existing house, the National Assembly.
As per the Constitution, the monarchy is given a leadership role in setting the direction for the government as long as the King shall demonstrate his commitment and ability to safeguard the interests of the kingdom and its people.
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