Bhutan's history is rich with legends, spiritual traditions, and fascinating rulers.
Early History: The region was inhabited since 2000 BCE. Buddhism arrived in the 7th century, introduced by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who is credited with bringing tantric Buddhism to Bhutan.
Unification: In 1616, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified Bhutan, establishing a theocratic system and building many of the iconic dzongs (fortress-monasteries) you see today.
Monarchy: The hereditary monarchy was established in 1907 with the first King, Ugyen Wangchuck. The current King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is the fifth monarch.
Modern Era: In 2008, Bhutan transitioned to a constitutional monarchy with democratic elections. The country maintains its unique identity while carefully embracing modernization.