Gaps in the Record

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

Third King of Bhutan; initiated modernisation

Jigme Singye Wangchuck

Fourth King; coined Gross National Happiness

Lyonpo Jigme Thinley

Former Prime Minister; GNH architect

Tshering Tobgay

Prime Minister 2013–2018 and 2024–present

Lotay Tshering

Prime Minister 2018–2024

Dasho Karma Ura

GNH scholar; Centre for Bhutan Studies

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal

Unified Bhutan in 17th century

Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck

Senior Queen Mother

Punakha Dzong

Historic administrative capital; winter seat of Je Khenpo

Rinpung Dzong

Paro dzong; gateway fortress

Paro Taktsang

Tiger's Nest monastery; Bhutan's most iconic site

Bumthang Valley

Spiritual heartland; oldest Buddhist sites in Bhutan

Haa Valley

Remote western dzongkhag; restricted area until 2002

Jomolhari

Sacred mountain; second highest peak in Bhutan

Gelephu

Southern border town; site of planned Mindfulness City

Anglo-Bhutanese War

1864–65 conflict with British India; ceded southern territories

Treaty of Punakha

1910 treaty formalising British protectorate relationship

Bhutan–India Friendship Treaty 1949

Post-independence treaty defining sovereignty and relations

Bhutanese Civil War 1885

Ugyen Wangchuck consolidates power; precursor to monarchy

1990 Pro-Democracy Movement

Sparked the Lhotshampa refugee crisis

Tshechu Festival

Most important annual religious festival; held in every dzong

Thangka Painting

Sacred Buddhist scroll painting; living tradition in Bhutan

Driglam Namzha

Bhutan's code of conduct; governs dress, speech, etiquette

Bhutanese Cuisine

Ema datshi, red rice, butter tea; distinctive national food culture

Dzong Architecture

Fortress-monastery style unique to Bhutan and Tibet

National Dress of Bhutan

Gho (men) and Kira (women); mandatory in government buildings

Royal University of Bhutan

National university system comprising 10 colleges

National Assembly of Bhutan

Lower house of Parliament; established by 2008 Constitution

National Council of Bhutan

Upper house; 25 members (20 elected + 5 royal nominees)

Royal Bhutan Army

National defence force; also conducts disaster relief

Druk Air

National airline; only carrier until Bhutan Airlines launched

Bhutan Power Corporation

Hydropower is Bhutan's primary export earner

Bhutanese Refugee Resettlement United States

Largest resettlement programme for Bhutanese refugees

Bhutanese Community of Columbus

One of the largest Bhutanese diaspora communities in the US

Mental Health Bhutanese Diaspora

Documented crisis including suicide rates in resettled communities