Traditionally called as the Druk Yul, Bhutan is a landlocked country between India and China. It is surrounded by India on three sides and by China on the northern side. It has no access to the sea, in fact, it lies between the mountains of Himalaya range; eastern Himalayas. When talking about the history of Bhutan, much is not known about the earlier times and the origin of this country. Most part of its history is shrouded in mystery.

Tibetan Lama (monk), Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal from Ralung Monastery of Tibet came to Bhutan in 1616 after he was threatened in Tibet. Again, it was after the visit of Indian saint Guru Padma Sambhava to the lands of Tibet and Bhutan at the end of eighth century that people came to know more about this country.

Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal
Various clans used to rule in the various valleys of Bhutan, before the arrival of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal. All of them used be at wars and quarrels among themselves at that time. In the history of Bhutan, arrival of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal considered to be the very important event. The meaning of the word Zhabdrung means “at whose feet everyone submits”. Under his strong leadership, the whole country unified for the nest thirty years. He conquered all the regions of Bhutan which were ruled by feudal tribal chiefs.

During his reign which lasted for about 35 years, he constructed many historical sites in Bhutan. These sites include dzongs (fortress), monasteries, and religious institutions. He also founded the Drukpa Kargyupa school of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan. He established the dual system of governance called Chhoesid. Deb Raja and Dharam Raja were the two main people in this system. After the birth of Wangchuck dynasty, this system of dual form of government was abandoned. On December 17, 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan. The present King Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the fourth hereditary king.

ZRinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong, ruins of Drugyel Dzong, Taktsang Monastery, Tashichho Dzong, Punakha ZDzong are some of the famous historical sites in Bhutan.