Third Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck-The Father of Modern Bhutan (Questions and Answers)

1. Why was the policy of self-imposed isolation abandoned by Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck?  

 The policy of self-imposed isolation was abandoned because

1. Modernization and development required greater contacts with the outside world.
2. 3^rd Druk Gyalpo saw the inherent dangers that Bhutan would face if it continued to remain in isolation.

2. What form of assistance did the government of India render in the implementation of development during the reign of the Third King?    

The government of India assisted in the implementation of development by providing

1. Financial assistance
2. Skilled labourers/workers in technical and administrative fields.

3. What strategy did Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck follow to safeguard the culture and traditions of our country?

 To safeguard the culture and traditions of our country the 3^rd Druk Gyalpo:

1. Established schools to promote traditional painting, dancing, singing and sculpture.
2. Established the National Museum in the Ta Dzong (Paro) to preserve the artefacts.
3. Adequate books were published both in Choekye and Dzongkha.
4. Established the Simtokha Rigney School(1961

4. “His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck decided to end the policy of isolation”. Explain any FOUR benefits of this decision.       

 Following are the benefits of ending isolation policy of isolation.

1. It established closer cooperation and friendship with the outside world
2. Internal isolation was put to an end by linking different regions with roads.
3. Modern facilities and amenities were established by providing education services, health services, better agricultural yield, improved livestock, and better communication facilities.
4. Established monetary economy in the country by establishing BoB in 1968
5. Five year plans were introduced for the development of the country
6. The country was able to generate its own revenue during the 3^rd Five Year Plan     

5. Identify THREE major steps that brought Bhutan onto the international scenario during the reign of Third King?

The major steps that brought Bhutan onto the international scenario during the reign of 3^rd Druk Gyalpo are

1. Joined the Colombo plan in 1963
2. Became the member of Universal Postal Union in 1969
3. Became member of United Nations on September 21, 1971.

6. Explain the main significance of the establishment of the Bank of Bhutan.             

ü  The establishment of the Bank of Bhutan was very significant because it indicated transformation of barter system into a monetary economy.

ü  It also assured the improvement of economic activities.

7. “Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck made social reforms “In this context propose any TWO of his social reforms.           

3^rd Druk Gyalpo’s social reforms were;

1. The ceiling of land was brought to 30 acres
2. Surplus lands were redistributed to landless people
3. The land taxes were reduced
4. The poorer sections of the society were exempted from paying taxes
5. Abolished the practice of slavery and serfdom
6. Lands were given to the serfs and slaves

8. Why did Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck initiate the modernization of the local administration? 

The 3^rd Druk Gyalpo initiated the modernization of the local administration to make it more efficient in carrying out government policies and plans and to ensure people’s participation in decision making.

9. Why did Third King appoint Jigme Palden Dorji as Prime Minister? What additional task did he take under his own initiative?

The 3^rd king appointed Jigme Palden Dorji as Prime Minister to assist the king in matters of foreign affairs and development programmes. He took the responsibility of school at Haa and looked after the welfare of Bhutanese students at Kalimpong. He also convinced Bhutanese families on the merits of sending their children to modern schools.

10. What was the main objective of the First Five Year Plan?

The main objective of the First Five Year Plan was to end the policy of isolation by building road links to India.

11. Give ONE reason why King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck is known as’ Father of Modern Bhutan’                       

King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck is known as the ‘Father of Modern Bhutan’ because

1. He put an end to the policy of isolation maintained by his forefathers by becoming a fully-fledged member of the international community.
2. Took the country forward on the path of development by bringing in far reaching social, economic and political transformations
3. His farsighted and enlightened leadership changed the feudal absolute monarchy to the modern one without social upheavals by instituting Tshogdu Chenmo, Lodroe Tshogde, Lhyengye zhungtshog to provide opportunities for people to participate in the decision making process

12. Explain the land reforms advocated by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck that greatly benefited his subjects.                       

3^rd Druk Gyalpo advocated land reforms for the benefit of his subject by        

1. Ceiling the ownership of land to a maximum of 30 acres
2. Surplus land redistributed to the landless
3. Reduced land tax
4. Granted tax exemptions to the poorer sections of the population.

13. List THREE major achievements made during the First Five Year Plan.  

The major achievements made during the First Five Year Plan are

1. Construction of modern roads
2. Established the Bhutan Government Transport service [1962]  and Bhutan’s postage stamps and Post Offices)
3. Established Department of Agriculture
4. Established Department of Forest
5. Started the Department of Animal Husbandry
6. Established 3 hospitals and 11 dispensaries

14. What changes did King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck bring about in the decision making of Tshogdu in 1968?                

In 1968 under the initiative of the 3^rd Druk Gyalpo the procedure was changed to make all decisions of the Tshogdu final and binding without Royal approval. It had to be approved by a TWO-THIRD MAJORITY by Tshogdu members 

15. What would have been the impact on the people if King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck had not abolished the practice of slavery and serfdom?    

If the 3^rd Druk Gyalpo had not abolished the practice of slavery and serfdom the country will be in following situations;

1. The slave and serfs would be still working under their masters
2. There won’t be equality among the people
3. There social discrimination
4. There would be gap between rich and poor
5. Slaves and serfs would not have become full-fledged taxpaying citizens. 

16. Write down two dangers Bhutan could have faced if Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck did not end the Policy of Isolation

If the 3^rd Druk Gyalpo had not put an end to the policy of isolation there would have been the possibility of

1. Losing our sovereignty. Bhutan, a small country was surrounded by India in the south and China in the north that had economic and military strength. There was a political tension between the two giant countries
2. The social and political life would have been similar with that of the first two kings. Barter system will be practiced and the economy of the country would not have developed.
3. The old practices like serfdom and slavery would have caused social upheaval.

17. Write an account of the growth of government in the context of modernization and growing foreign contacts.           

The changes brought by modernization and growing foreign contacts were:

1. Transformation of feudal absolute monarchy of Bhutan into a modern and enlightened one.
2. The establishment of TSHOGDU [National Assembly] in 1953 as the highest legislative body of Bhutan with elected representatives from the people, monk body and Royal Government.
3. Creation of the LODROE TSHOGDE [Royal Advisory Council] in 1965 to act as an advisory body to the king.
4. Established an executive branch of government :the LHYENGYE ZHUNGTSHOG in 1968
5. In 1968 Judiciary was separated from the executive with the establishment of Thimphu High Court. Thrimpoens (judges) headed the district courts.
6. Military  force was established (Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bhutan Police and Royal Bodyguard)
7. Administrative reforms- creation of ministries
8. Planning Commission was established 

18. Write a summary of reforms in the district administration.   

1. The 3^rd King modernized the local administration to make it more efficient in carrying out government policies and plans.
2. The country was divided into 13 districts each placed under the administration of Dzongda (district administrative head).
3. The title of the Dzongpoen was changed to Dzongda.
4. They were under the Home Ministry.
5. The judiciary powers of the Dzongkhags were transferred to Thrimpoens from the district head.

19. Mention TWO historic events between 1950 and 1970 that showed Bhutan had opened its doors to the outside world? 

The historic events that showed Bhutan had opened its doors to the outside world are

●       Ended the policy of isolation [1958]

●       In 1970, the Department of Foreign Affairs was established

20. Give TWO reasons to explain why the third Druk Gyalpo established the Tshogdu Chenmo.                                          

The third Druk Gyalpo established the Tshogdu Chenmo

●       To transfer the feudal absolute monarchy into a modern and enlightened one

●       To provide people opportunities to participate in the decision making process of the country.

21. What would have been the political and economic situation in Bhutan had the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru not visited the country in 1958? Explain FOUR plausible situations.      

If the Indian prime Minister had not visited the country, Bhutan might

●       Be isolated from the rest of the countries without roads.

●       Not be able to bring modern development due to financial crisis.

●       Not be a member of the international organization like UNO. India helped Bhutan get membership in UNO

●       Might be practicing barter system in this modern era.

●       Might not have a proper communication network like roads, modern transport and postal services.

●       Not have launched the Five Year Plan programs.

22. Construct a time line from 1958 to 1972 showing any four historic events that took place during the reign of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

✔      1958-Visit of Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

✔      1961- introduce First Five Year Plan

✔      1963- became a member of Colombo plan

✔      1967-Bhutan permitted the opening of a resident mission in Thimphu

✔      1968-Indira Gandhi visited Bhutan and

✔      1968-Bank of Bhutan was established

✔      1968- Thimphu High Court was established

✔      1969- reconstruction of Trashichoedzong was completed and became the member of Universal Postal Union

✔      1970- institution of the Department of Foreign Affairs and a Bhutanese delegation led by his Royal Highness ,Prince Namgyal Wangchuck attended the UN General Assembly as observer 

✔      1971- The Royal Bhutan Mission was established in New Delhi

✔      1971- 21^st September Bhutan became a member of UN

✔      1971-Opened a Permanent Mission in New York

✔      1972- Department of Foreign Affairs was upgraded to a ministry.

23. Explain any four developments to show how Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck transformed the feudal absolute monarchy of Bhutan into a modern and enlightened one.

The 3^rd King has transformed the absolute monarchy into modern and enlightened one in following ways;

⮚      1953- established Tshogdu( National Assembly) letting people to participate in decision making process

⮚      Establishing the Lodroe Tshogde in 1963 gaving maximum seats to the people to advice the king and government

⮚      Established Lhengye Zhungtshog in 1968 separating the executive from legislative

⮚      The High Court was established in 1968 separating judiciary from the executive