New edition. The hereditary monarchy of the Wangchuk dynasty was established in 1907 in the independent Himalayan state of Bhutan. The new order quickly replaced a theocracy founded in the seventeenth century by the first of the Dharma Rajas, a lineage of reincarnating Lamas known by the title of Shabdrung.
The first king of the new dynasty, Ugyen Wangchuk (1862-1926) was a charismatic figure who adopted as the unique symbol of his authority a crown surmounted by the head of a raven. The bird represents a form of Mahakala, Bhutan's guardian deity. The prototype of the founding monarch's raven crown had first been devised as a battle helmet for his father, who was known as the Black Regent. He had won it in struggles against his many rivals within the country and against the British who tried, unsuccessfully to subdue him.
The story of the Wangchuk dynasty's rise and triumph moves from a picture of turmoil and chaos to one of relative peace and stability. In contrast with earlier published accounts based solely on the colonial records of British India, here the narrative is founded on the Bhutanese chronicles which offer a new perspective and bring many new details to light.
Copiously illustrated with rare historical photos which provide depth and focus to the story
