Ugyen Wangchuck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ugyen Wangchuck |
|
|---|---|
| 1st King of Bhutan | |
| Reign | December 17, 1907–August 21, 1926 |
| Predecessor | None (Hereditary Monarchy Created) |
| Successor | Jigme Wangchuck |
| Consort | Ashi Tsundue Lhamo |
| Children | Jigme Wangchuck
Lemo Wangchuck Lhadron Wangchuck |
| Royal House | Wangchuck Dynasty |
| Father | Jigme Namgyal |
| Mother | Ashi Pema Choki |
Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck(Dzongkha: , Wylie: o rgyan dbang phyug; 1862-1926) was the first King of Bhutan from 1907 to 1926. He was born in 1862 to Jigme Namgyal, Penlop (governor) of Trongsa and Ashi Pema Choki. He succeeded his father as Penlop of Trongsa. From his power base in central Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck defeated his political enemies and united the country following several civil wars and rebellions in 1882–1885.
In what was an epochal year for the country, in 1907 Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously chosen as the hereditary monarch of the country by the people at Punakha, the old Capital of Bhutan.
For his services in mediating between the British and Tibetans during the Younghusband Expedition to Lhasa, Tibet, he was knighted by the British in 1904. He was appointed Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE) in the 1921 New Year Honours, having already been appointed Knight Commander (KCIE) in 1904.
Honours
Delhi Durbar Gold Medal - 1911- Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI) - 1911
- Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE) - 1921 (KCIE - 1904)
