On 17th of December, 1907, entire population of Bhutan represented by 47 of their representatives congregated in Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong to install Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The day marked the start of the Wangchuck Dynasty under whose successive rulers Bhutan saw a period of peace, tranquility and progress.
His Majesty Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck the Ist King of Bhutan
According to available information, Bhutan celebrated our National Day for the first time on 17th December, 1971. Today the 17th of December, 2023 we will be celebrating our 116th National Day.
One hundred and sixteen years ago, the peoples’ representatives, including the regional rulers and administrators, and the monk body, affixed their respective seals to the following Declaration of Allegiance - installing Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary King of Bhutan:
The "Gyenja" executed on 17th December, 1907 at Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong
Those of you who can read the "Gyenja" will notice something intriguing: Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck has been named as "Sir Ugyen Wangchuck". Even the date of the "Gyenja" has been recorded in the Gregorian calendar. I wonder if that was done due to the presence of his good friend J C White? Regardless, one Bhutanese scholar tells me that the language of the "Gyenja" is truly outstanding - far superior to anything he has seen so far.
The signatories to the document, including the foreign dignitaries, were recorded as follows:
1.Seal ofThe Monk Body Je and the Lopoens
2.Seal ofChoetse Poenlop Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck
3.Seal ofZhoong Droenyer Tshewang Penjor
4.Seal ofThimphu DzongpoenKuenzang Thinley
5.Seal ofPunakha DzongpoenPalden Wangchuk
6.Seal ofWangdue DzongpoenKuenzang Norbu
7.Seal ofRinpoong Chila Dawa Penjor
8.Seal ofDaga Chila Tshewang Dorje
9.Seal ofGongzim Kuenzang Tshering
CLASS II OFFICIALS
10.Seal ofZhoong Droensop Shar Tshering
11.Seal ofTapoen Rigzin Dorje
12.Seal ofZimpoen Nam Namgyal
13.Seal ofJapoen Samdrup
14.Seal ofPunakha Zimpoen Kuenleg
15.Seal ofPunakha Ngyerpa Sangye Thinley
16.Seal ofGasa Dzongpoen Dargo Ngoedrup
17.Seal ofThimphu Zimpoen Sithup
18.Seal ofThimphu Ngyerpa Phurpa Tashi
19.Seal ofLingzhi Nyerpa Taya Gup
20.Seal ofWangdue Zimpoen Tshewang Doendrup
21.Seal ofWangdue Nyerpa Garpon
22.Seal ofParo Droenyer Pelzang
23.Seal ofParo Nyerpa Yeshe
24.Seal ofParo Zimpoen Sigyel
25.Seal ofDrugyal DzongpoenSamten Yoezer
26.Seal ofHaa Droongpa Ugyen
27.Seal ofDaga Zimpoen Dorje
28.Seal ofDaga Nyerchen Wangpo
29.Seal ofTrongsa Zimpoen Dorje
30.Seal ofJakar Dzongpoen Chime Dorje
31.Seal ofZhongar DzongpoenDorje Penjor
32.Seal ofTrashigang DzongpoenSonam Tshering
33.Seal ofLhuentse DzongpoenThinley Gyamtsho
34.Seal ofZhemgang DzongpoenKarma
CLASS III OFFICIALS
35.Seal ofall Class III Officers of Punakha Dzong
36.Seal ofall Class III Officers of Tashichho Dzong
37.Seal ofall Class III Officers of Wangdue Dzong
38.Seal ofall Class III Officers of Trongsa Dzong
39.Seal ofall Class III Officers of Paro Dzong
40.Seal of all subjects of Wang Tshochen Gyed
41.Seal of all subjects of Thed Dargyed Chusoom
42.Seal ofall subjects of Sha Dar Gyed
43.Seal ofall subjects of Barkor Tsho Druk
44.Seal ofall subjects of Gyue Zhi of Haa
45.Seal ofall subjects of Tsentog Ling Druk
46.Seal ofall subjects of Sharchog Kholo Sip Gyae
47.Seal ofall subjects of Three Lings of Daga
It is not clear if they were official guests of the British Empire - but it is recorded that the following were present during the occasion (J C White was a very good friend of Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck):
i.John Claude White CIE, British Political Officer based in Sikkim
ii.Major Renik
iii.Mr. Campbell
iv.Captain Hyslop
v.Zarwala Suvidar Jihaden Khanna
vi.Rai Bahadur Lobzang Choeden
From all indications, the 116th National Day Celebrations will be an event unlike any before it. Even better, His Majesty the King is rumored to be announcing some major economic initiatives – such as the much-anticipated final plans of the Gelephu Proposal. Thus, I am honored to be able to attend it - from within the Changlemithang celebration grounds.
The Invitation Card to the 116th National Day Celebrations. Whoever was responsible for the design and printing of the Card – he/she has done a great job - it is such a pleasure to see someone do such an exquisite job: the choice of paper, its size, its texture, weight and the choice of font is simply superlative!