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Bhutan, a small country deep in the Himalayas, was once a forgotten corner of the world. Mountains, deep valleys, tradition and tranquility, life here has always been alien to the outside world. However, Bhutan's rich natural resources and unique culture make this small country of just over 700,000 people unique internationally.
The country borders China, but despite being surrounded by powerful countries, Bhutan has always maintained its own characteristic cultural practices. In this land, a group of people who have loved archery for generations live. During the festival, they are dressed in full costume, red robes, yellow hats and longbows in exciting archery competitions. Archery is not only a sport for them, but also a symbol of their warriorly spirit.
On the other hand, more than 75% of the country's citizens practice Tibetan Buddhism. Temples and pagodas can be found everywhere in Bhutan, and beautiful Buddha statues depict Bhutan's centuries-old religion.
As early as the Tang and Song dynasties, Bhutan had contact with China and became an important node on the Silk Road. Bhutan's flag is even embroidered with a Chinese dragon, highlighting the historical ties between the two countries.
However, Bhutan's history has also experienced twists and turns. Since the Yuan Dynasty, Bhutan, as a vassal state on the mainland, has exchanged annual offerings for the protection of the Central Plains Dynasty. During the Qing dynasty, two tribes of Bhutan vied for the throne, and one tribe sought support from the Qing dynasty, which eventually led to the Qing dynasty taking control of Bhutan and making it a vassal state.
With the decline of the Qing government and British invasion, Bhutan was freed from the control of the Qing Dynasty, and British colonists forced Bhutan to cede 2,000 square kilometers of territory after the Anglo-British War in the sixties of the nineteenth century.
In 1907, Ugan Wangchuk of Bhutan became king, and he undertook some drastic reforms. First, he established a hereditary system of throne, ensuring that his descendants would be kings for generations. Second, he abolished theocracy and other regimes, concentrating power in his own hands, becoming a typical feudal monarchy.
However, Bhutan appears to be lagging behind in social processes relative to the rest of the world. Feudalism has gradually disappeared from the world, but Bhutan has fallen into the quagmire of feudal rule. However, this is understandable, because as nomads, it may be too difficult for them to jump directly into modern society.
But the establishment of China seems to provide an example for Bhutan. In 1949, Bhutan sought India's help and established a parliamentary system, gradually integrating into modern democracy. In 1968, Bhutan was officially declared a constitutional monarchy, moving further towards modern democracy.
Singh Wangchuk, after taking the throne, devoted himself to reforming Bhutan. The young Singh lacked experience in political governance, but his image of being close to the people won people's reputation. During his reign, he was deeply aware of the backwardness of the state system and wanted to achieve democratization. Although it was a difficult project, he began to move forward slowly.
Finally, at the end of the last century, Singh announced the dissolution of the cabinet, handed over power to the Council of Ministers and the bicameral parliament, and achieved a transformation of power. This kind of determination and heart is very rare.
In 2006, Singh, believing that he had fulfilled his historical mission, announced his abdication and passed the throne to his son. He began to enjoy a life of old age, living with four wives and children, and living a life different from that of kings.
Today, Singh is 68 years old, but he is still full of energy. He often held basketball games in the palace and maintained a healthy physique. His dress is also fashionable and not inferior to that of young people, and when he takes a photo with his son, he is more like two brothers.
Although Bhutan's development is not significant globally, its "happiness index" is among the highest in the world. This seemingly contradictory situation is influenced by a combination of factors. First, Bhutan's geographical location makes communication with the outside world difficult. Second, the Buddhist faith teaches them to settle for suffering. In addition, Bhutan's small population and small gap between rich and poor also help to maintain a solid sense of well-being.
However, with the spread of the internet, the people of Bhutan began to understand life in the outside world, and some young people were eager to leave. However, such changes cannot be ignored.
In general, King Singh's marriage to the four sisters, although initially motivated by political considerations, also established some sincere feelings between them. Singh's decision to abdicate was wise enough to allow him to enjoy retirement early. Although Bhutan still faces some economic and social problems, it hopes that China and Bhutan can establish more ties and develop together.
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