Bhutan under the Zhabdrung

Bhutan under the Zhabdrung was a state in Bengal, Odisha and the northeast (South Asia) that lasted from 1616 to 1907 CE, about 291 years. Its people spoke Tibeto-Burman languages (Tibetan, Burmese, Newar, Pyu, Tangut).

Ngawang Namgyal, a Drukpa lama who fled Tibet in 1616, unified the valleys of Bhutan under a network of dzong fortresses and a dual system of religious and civil rule.

See Bhutan under the Zhabdrung on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

1616 to 1907 CE

Duration

291 years

Type

State

Region

Bengal, Odisha and the northeast, South Asia

Language family

Tibeto-Burman

Capital

Punakha

Became

• Kingdom of Bhutan 1907 CE to the present

Events in South Asia during its time

• 1632 Taj Mahal begun
• 1739 Nader Shah sacks Delhi
• 1757 Battle of Plassey
• 1761 Third Battle of Panipat
• 1857 Indian Rebellion

Neighbours in South Asia

• Mughal Empire 1526 to 1857 CE
• British Raj 1858 to 1947 CE
• Ahom Kingdom 1228 to 1826 CE
• Kingdom of Mysore c. 1399 to 1950 CE
• Kingdom of Kandy 1469 to 1815 CE
• Vijayanagara Empire 1336 to 1646 CE
• Kingdom of Nepal 1768 to 2008 CE
• Hyderabad State 1724 to 1948 CE
• Maratha Confederacy 1674 to 1818 CE
• Company rule in India 1757 to 1858 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Middle East
• Portuguese Empire 1415 to 1999 CE, Europe
• Kingdom of Kongo c. 1390 to 1914 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Mali Empire c. 1235 to 1670 CE, North and West Africa
• Ayutthaya Kingdom 1351 to 1767 CE, Southeast Asia

Questions