Ugyen Wangchuck

One of the most important historical figures in Bhutan is Ugyen Wangchuck. Ugyen Wangchuck (11 June 1862 – 26 August 1926) served as Bhutan's first Druk Gyalpo from 1907 to 1926. Ugyen Wangchuck was born at Wangducholing Palace in Bumthang in 1862 and died in Thinley Rabten Palace in Phodrang in 1926. Both of these locations are in Bumthang's "Choekhor" valley. King Ugyen Wangchuck was a visionary and strategist. He was also a devout Buddhist, particularly during his later years.

During his lifetime, he worked to unite the young country and acquire the people's trust. Bhutan has been ruled by 54 successive Druk Desis for 256 years before establishing a Buddhist monarchy. Ugyen Wangchuck established the monarchy in 1907, though he had been the actual king for about a decade. In British archives, he is known as the 12th Trongsa Penlop, or Bhutan's king.

Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned as the first hereditary King of Bhutan on December 17, 1907, in Punakha Dzong, by representatives of the people, authorities, and church. On that day, a formal document establishing the monarchy was attested using signet rings and thumbprints. Sir Claude White (1853-1918), a British political officer, represented the British government during the enthronement event. Since that time, the 17th of December has been designated as Bhutan's National Day (Gyalyong Duechen).