View source for Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

{{Short description|Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1952 to 1972}}
{{About|the third king of Bhutan|his grandson, the Gyaltshab of Bhutan|Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (born 1986)}}
{{Infobox Monarch 
| name           = Jigme Dorji Wangchuck<br />[[File:Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Name.svg]]
| image          = Picture of king Jigme Dorje Wangchuck at Thimpu airport Bhutan (cropped).jpg
| image_size     = 
| caption        = Picture of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck at [[Paro International Airport]]
| succession     = [[King of Bhutan]]
| reign          = 30 March 1952 – 21 July 1972
| coronation     = 27 October 1952<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://publicholidays.asia/bhutan/birth-anniversary-of-third-druk-gyalpo/ |title=Public Holidays |access-date=2021-03-26 |archive-date=2021-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806003725/https://publicholidays.asia/bhutan/birth-anniversary-of-third-druk-gyalpo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| predecessor    = [[Jigme Wangchuck]]
| successor      = [[Jigme Singye Wangchuck]]
| spouse         = ''[[Ashi (title)|Ashi]]'' [[Kesang Choden (born 1930)|Kesang Choden]]
| issue          = [[Sonam Chhodron Wangchuck]] <br>  [[Dechan Wangmo Wangchuck]] <br>  [[Jigme Singye Wangchuck]]<br> [[Pema Lhadon Wangchuck]] <br>[[Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck]]
| house = [[House of Wangchuck|Wangchuck]]
| father         = [[Jigme Wangchuck]]
| mother         =''[[Ashi (title)|Ashi]]'' [[Phuntsho Choden]]
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=yes|1928|5|2}}
| birth_place = [[Thruepang Palace]], [[Trongsa]]
| death_date  = {{death date and age|df=yes|1972|7|21|1928|5|2}}
| death_place = [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]]
| place of burial= Cremated at [[Kurjey Lhakhang]]
{{coord|27|37||N|90|42||E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| religion = [[Buddhism]]
}}

'''Jigme Dorji Wangchuck''' ({{langx|dz|འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་པོ་ འཇིགས་མེད་རྡོ་རྗེ་དབང་ཕྱུག་མཆོག་}}, {{bo|w=jigs med rdo rje dbang phyug}}; 2 May 1928<ref name="Khyentse">{{Cite web|title=Patron Kings Part XI: King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck of Bhutan|url=https://khyentsefoundation.org/part-xi-king-jigme-dorje-wangchuk-of-bhutan/|publisher=Khyentse Foundation|access-date=2021-11-11|archive-date=2021-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111180847/https://khyentsefoundation.org/part-xi-king-jigme-dorje-wangchuk-of-bhutan/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AGW">{{Cite web|title=Holidays Around the World: Bhutan Third King's Death|url=http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/bhutan-kings-death/|access-date=2021-11-11|archive-date=2021-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111180847/http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/bhutan-kings-death/|url-status=live}}</ref> – 21 July 1972) was the 3rd [[Druk Gyalpo]] of Bhutan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262373968 |title=WANGCHUCK DYNASTY. 100 Years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan. Lham Dorji |access-date=2017-05-01 |archive-date=2018-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705233018/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lham_Dorji/publication/262373968_WANGCHUCK_DYNASTY_100_Years_of_Enlightened_Monarchy_in_Bhutan/links/0deec5376bf6ebc25e000000.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

He began to open [[Bhutan]] to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first step towards [[democratization]].

==Early life==
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was born in 1928 in [[Thruepang Palace]] in [[Trongsa]].<ref name="Lopen Pema">{{cite book |title='Brug gi rgyal rabs: 'Brug gsal ba'i sgron me |last=Tshewang |first=Lopen Pema |year=1994 |place=Thimphu |publisher=National Library}}</ref> At a young age, he was apprenticed in etiquette and leadership at the royal court of his father the King. Wangchuck was educated in a British manner in Kalimpong and [[Bishop Cotton School (Shimla)|Bishop Cotton School, Simla]] and he went on study tours to many foreign countries such as Scotland and Switzerland from where he drew inspiration to develop Bhutan with suitable adaptations.<ref name="The Raven Crown">{{cite book |title= The Raven Crown: The Origins of Buddhist Monarchy in Bhutan |last=Michael |first=Aris |publisher=Serindia Publications |year=2005 |place=Chicago |edition=2 |isbn=978-1932476217}}</ref>
In 1943, he was appointed Trongsa ''[[Chief of protocol|Dronyer]]'' and then elevated as the 25th [[Paro District|Paro]] ''[[Penlop#Penlops of Paro|Penlop]]'' in 1950, upon the death of the 24th Paro ''Penlop'', Tshering Penjor (1902–1949). Wangchuck married ''Ashi'' [[Kesang Choden (born 1930)|Kesang Choden Wangchuck]] (born 1930), the daughter of ''[[Gongzim]]'' (Lord Chamberlain) [[Sonam Topgay Dorji]] (1896–1953), at the Ugyen Pelri Palace, [[Paro, Bhutan|Paro]], on 5 October 1951. The royal wedding was held at the Garden Palace. The following year, Wangchuck became the King after his father died in Kuenga Rabten Palace. Coronation was held in [[Punakha Dzong]] on 27 October 1952.<ref name="The Raven Crown" />

{{Wangchuck Kings of Bhutan}}

==Reign==
===Father of modern Bhutan===
During his 20-year reign that ended in July 1972, the fundamental reorientation of Bhutanese society began.<ref name="bio3">{{cite book |title= 'brug brgyd 'zin gyi rgyel mchog gsum pa mi dwang 'jigs med rdo rjé dwang phyug gi rtogs brjod bzhugs so (The Biography of the Third King of Bhutan) |author=dpal ‘brug zhib ‘jug lte ba |publisher=The Centre for Bhutan Studies |year=2008 |place=Thimphu |isbn=978-99936-14-49-4}}</ref>
Wangchuck not only achieved the reorganisation of society and government, but also consolidated Bhutan's sovereignty and security. He mobilised resources from the international donors as aid. Wangchuck's strategy was to broaden the source of aid by developing relationships with other countries. Bhutan joined the Colombo Plan in 1962 to obtain international aid.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.bt/foreign-policy/multilateral-relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803071354/http://www.mfa.gov.bt/foreign-policy/multilateral-relations |date=2017-08-03 }}, Thimphu, Bhutan</ref> However, India became the main source of financial and technical assistance. He was a deft and farsighted planner in the sense that he modernised Bhutan without destabilizing its culture and tradition. Wangchuck brought modern techniques and methods to preserve and promote the [[culture of Bhutan]], yet at the same time, he introduced Western science and technology.<ref name="bio3" /> He was a forerunner among environmentalists in this part of the world. The Manas Sanctuary established in 1966 was one of the first in the region.<ref>[http://www.dofps.gov.bt/node/203 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723124509/http://www.dofps.gov.bt/node/203 |date=2015-07-23 }}, Thimphu, Bhutan</ref>

===Political and social reforms===
In the context of Bhutan, there were small groups who were bonded labourers. They would work on the farms of the aristocratic and prominent families. In return, they would receive food, lodging and clothes. As soon as he became the King, labourers who worked on the royal lands were made into tenants and sharecroppers instead of indentured labourers.<ref name="hero">{{cite book |title=The Hero with a Thousand Eyes, A Historical Novel |last=Ura |first=Karma |publisher=Karma Ura |year=1995 |place=Thimphu |isbn= 978-8175250017}}</ref> Later, similar indentured labourers were set free in other areas of the country, especially in some parts of [[Eastern Bhutan]], where they were concentrated.
In 1953, Wangchuck opened the [[National Assembly of Bhutan]] in 1953 in [[Punakha Dzong]].<ref name="bio3" /> For the first time, elders from different [[Gewogs of Bhutan|gewogs]] (administrative units) were invited to voice their concerns, ideas and solutions for the future of this country. At the same time, it was a forum for Wangchuck to share his larger vision for [[Bhutan]] in the years to come. 
After the National Assembly was established in 1953, the king drafted and devised a series of progressive laws for the Kingdom. The King brought out a holistic set of laws covering fundamental aspects of Bhutanese life such as land, livestock, marriage, inheritance, property and so forth. The Thrimzhung Chenmo (Supreme Law) was passed by the National Assembly in 1959. The laws are very organic, coherently interrelated within themselves and to the evolving reality and manifested his vision of law-based society.<ref name="legal">[http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/html/judiciary/legal.php Royal Court of Justice] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426042509/http://www.judiciary.gov.bt/html/judiciary/legal.php |date=2011-04-26 }}, Thimphu, Bhutan</ref>
Along with the promulgation of Thrimzhung Chenmo, a mechanism to implement and enforce laws was needed. Wangchuck decided to open the judiciary, first with the appointment of Thrimpons (judges) in districts, and then finally to the High Court, which was set up in 1968. These administrative and social reforms were prior to any economic modernisation programmes. 
In 1955, he intensified the conversion of commodity taxes to cash taxes by assessing land for cash taxation.<ref name="hero" /> Cash taxes were nominal, but moving from commodity taxes to cash taxes was a radical step at that time.
Apart from promulgation of better laws and tax reforms, the [[Royal Bhutan Army]] was formally established in 1963. Furthermore, the entitlements of all officials were converted from commodities to cash and new designations were given. Wangchuck established new Ministries in 1968.<ref name="NA28">[http://www.nab.gov.bt/assets/uploads/docs/resolution/2014/28th_Session.pdf Resolutions Adopted During the 28th Session of the National Assembly of Bhutan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723133705/http://www.nab.gov.bt/assets/uploads/docs/resolution/2014/28th_Session.pdf |date=2015-07-23 }}, National Assembly of Bhutan (1968), Thimphu</ref>

===Culture and education===
The king paid considerable policy attention on preserving [[Bhutanese culture]] so that Bhutan could always perpetuate itself as a culturally distinct nation, in particular with a flourishing [[Buddhist culture]]. He commissioned Buddhist monuments, including a large statue of the Buddha near the parliament building in Thimphu, as well as ornate copies of Buddhist texts such as the [[Kangyur|Kangyur and Tengyur]].<ref name="Khyentse" />

He established Simtokha Rigzhung Lobdra (now known as the Institute of Language and Cultural Studies) in 1967, where a new breed of traditional scholars could be nurtured.<ref name="bio3" /> He also increased the number of monks in many dratshangs. During his reign the systematic phonetic, syntax and grammatic rules of Dzongkha language were devised.
  
To propagate culture and traditions in schools, and to study scientific disciplines as well as humanities, the Third King established modern education on a wide spread basis. He established what were then the centres of education excellence with two public schools: Yangchenphug, in western Bhutan in 1969, and the other, Kanglung, in eastern Bhutan in 1968.<ref name="bio3" /> An Agriculture Department was created to improve nutrition and to generate income from horticulture. The Kingdom's free health service was also founded.

===Infrastructure development===
Modernising Bhutan's infrastructure for transportation, communications, education, health system and agriculture started after India was receptive enough to offer aid. India became independent in 1947, and was not in any immediate position to help Bhutan. Wangchuck officially visited India in 1954. The first Indian Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] made a historic journey to Bhutan in September 1958. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck then paid repeated visits to India.<ref name="bio3" />
A year after Nehru visited Bhutan in 1958, the development of Bhutan's modern infrastructure began, with assistance from India. Although road construction started in 1959, a large scale undertaking became systematic two years later in 1961, with the commencement of the 1st Five Year Plan (FYP) that envisaged construction of 177&nbsp;km of road, 108 schools, three hospitals, and 45 clinics.<ref name="bio3" /><ref name="First FYP">{{cite web |url=http://www.gnhc.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1stFYP.pdf |access-date=2015-06-12 |author=Gross National Happiness Commission |title=1st Five Year Plan (1961-1966) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022742/http://www.gnhc.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/1stFYP.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  In 1961, motor road transport reached [[Thimphu]]. The systematic envisioning of the economic future of Bhutan through FYPs was put into practice in 1961. The idea of budgeting and programming on a five-year basis is a legacy from that period. The construction of roads expanded vigorously to the end of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's reign; by his death, more than 1200&nbsp;km (750 miles) of road had been built in the country.<ref name="Obituary" /> His last visit to central Bhutan was partly to open the Zhunglam, the highway between [[Wangdue Phodrang]] and Trongsa, in 1971.<ref name="bio3" />

===Foreign relations===
The king's priority was to continue deepening the excellent relationship with India. The second priority was to diversify the relationship with other countries. He intended to strike close economic relationship with [[Bangladesh]]. Bhutan was the first nation after India to recognise the independence of Bangladesh.<ref name="bio3" />
One key event in his era was enabling Bhutan to join the [[United Nations]] in 1971, when it became its 125th member.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.bt/foreign-policy/multilateral-relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803071354/http://www.mfa.gov.bt/foreign-policy/multilateral-relations |date=2017-08-03 }}, Thimphu, Bhutan</ref>

==Death==
Wangchuck suffered from long-term heart problems; he had his first heart attack at the age of 20.<ref name="Khyentse" /> In July 1972, Wangchuck traveled to [[Nairobi]] to receive treatment for this condition, but he died suddenly during this visit. The king's body was subsequently flown back to Bhutan to be cremated there.<ref name="Obituary">{{Cite web|title=Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Is Dead; King of Tiny Himalayan Bhutan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/23/archives/jigme-dorii-wangchuk-is-dead-king-of-tiny-himalayan-bhutan.html|work=New York Times|date=1972-07-23|access-date=2021-11-11|archive-date=2021-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111182520/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/23/archives/jigme-dorii-wangchuk-is-dead-king-of-tiny-himalayan-bhutan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Styles==
*1929–1944: ''Dasho'' Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
*1944–1946: ''Trongsa Dronyer Dasho'' Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
*1946–1952: ''Paro Penlop Dasho'' Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
*1952–1963: [[Highness|His Highness]] [[Sri]] [[Panch]] Maharaj Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Maharaja of Bhutan.
*1963–1972: His Majesty [[Druk Gyalpo]] Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, ''Mang-pos Bhur-ba'i rgyalpo'', [[List of rulers of Bhutan|King of Bhutan]].{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

== Patronages ==
* Life Member and Patron of [[Maha Bodhi Society]].

==Honours==

=== National honours ===
*{{flag|Bhutan}}: 
** [[File:BHT Royal Order of Bhutan Ribbon.svg|70px]] Grand Master of the [[Royal Order of Bhutan]] (''Druk Thuksey'' = ''Son of the Heart of the Thunder Dragon'', 1966).{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

=== Foreign honours ===
*{{flag|Bangladesh}}:
**[[File:Noribbon.svg|70px]] Recipient of the [[Bangladesh Liberation War Honour]] ''(Posthumous)'' (27/03/2012)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thebhutanese.bt/third-druk-gyalpo-honored-by-bangladesh |title=Third Druk Gyalpo honored by Bangladesh |access-date=2019-08-24 |archive-date=2019-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824082441/https://thebhutanese.bt/third-druk-gyalpo-honored-by-bangladesh |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flag|India}}:
**[[File:Padma Vibhushan Ribbon.svg|70px]] Recipient of the [[Padma Vibhushan]] (26/01/1954)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.timescontent.com/syndication-photos/reprint/news/493108/padma-vibhushan-award-jigme-dorji-w.html |title=Times Content |access-date=2016-09-14 |archive-date=2016-09-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920054814/http://www.timescontent.com/syndication-photos/reprint/news/493108/padma-vibhushan-award-jigme-dorji-w.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}:
**[[File:UK King George V Silver Jubilee Medal ribbon.svg|70px]] Recipient of the [[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]] (06/05/1935){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
**[[File:UK King George VI Coronation Medal ribbon.svg|70px]] Recipient of the [[King George VI Coronation Medal]] (12/05/1937){{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

==Ancestry==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Jigme Dorji Wangchuck'''
|2= 2. [[Jigme Wangchuck]]
|3= 3. [[Phuntsho Choden]]
|4= 4. [[Ugyen Wangchuck]]
|5= 5. [[Tsundue Pema Lhamo]]
|6= 6. Jamyang, ''Chumed Zhalgno''
|7= 7. Decho Dorji
|8= 8. [[Jigme Namgyal (Bhutan)|Jigme Namgyal, 10th ''Trongsa Penlop'' and 48th ''Druk Desi'']]
|9= 9. Pema Choki (= 31)
|10= 10. Kunzang Thinley, ''[[Dzongpen|Dzongpon]]'' of [[Thimphu District|Thimphu]]
|11= 11. Sangay Drolma
|12= 12. Lamala
|13= 13. Kunzang Lhamo
|14= 14. Chimi Dorji, ''[[Dzongpen|Dzongpon]]'' of [[Thimphu District|Thimphu]]
|15= 15. Yeshay Choden
}}

== See also ==
* [[Jigme Dorji National Park]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |title= Chos 'byung blo gsar rna ba'i rgyan |first=Gedun |last=Rinchen |year=1972 |place=Thimphu |publisher=Tango Drubde}}
* {{cite book |title='Brug dkar po |author=Lopen Nado |year=1986 |place=Bumthang |publisher=Tharpaling Monastery}}
* {{cite book |title= sMyos rabs yang gsal me long |author=Dasho Lama Sa-ngag |year=2005 |place=Thimphu |publisher=KMT Publishers}}
* {{cite book |title='Brug shar phyogs kyi rje dpon byung rabs blo gsar byis pa dga' ba'i rna rgyan |author=Dasho Tenzin Dorji |year=1988 |publisher=n.p.}}
* {{cite book |title= rGyal rabs sngon med bstan bcos zla ba |author=Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi |year=2007 |place=Thimphu |publisher=National Library of Bhutan}}
* {{cite book |title= Bhutan: The Dragon Kingdom in Crisis |last=Rustomji |first=Nari |year=1978 |place=Delhi |publisher=Oxford University Press}}
* {{cite book |title=The Necklace of Pearls: Biography of the 13th Druk Desi Sherab Wangchuk (1697-1765) |author1=Yonten Thayge |author2=Kuenga Gyatsho |year=2003 |place=Thimphu |publisher=Centre for Bhutan Studies}}
* {{cite book |title=Bhutan: Land of the Peaceful Dragon |last=Mehra |first=G.N. |year=1974 |place=New Delhi |publisher=Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Jigme Dorji Wangchuck}}
*[http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-635454/Jigme-Dorji-Wangchuk Encyclopædia Britannica]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070607234917/http://www.bhutanmajestictravel.com/bhutan-100-years-of-monarchy/ More about His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, "Father of Modern Bhutan"]

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{{s-hou|[[House of Wangchuck]]||2 May 1928||21 July 1972}}
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{{S-bef|before=[[Jigme Wangchuck]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of rulers of Bhutan|King of Bhutan]]|years=1952–1972}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jigme Singye Wangchuck]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Rulers of Bhutan}}
{{History of Bhutan}}
{{Padma Vibhushan Awards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wangchuck, Jigme Dorji}}
[[Category:Bhutanese monarchs]]
[[Category:Buddhist monarchs]]
[[Category:Wangchuck dynasty]]
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in public affairs]]
[[Category:Bhutanese recipients of British honours]]
[[Category:Bhutanese recipients of Indian honours]]