Druk Desi Jigme Singye

• Background
  
  

  • Gyaltshab Jigme Singye (1742-1789): He was born in 1742 and passed away in 1789.

  • Reincarnation of Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye: He was the third reincarnation of Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye, a spiritual figure in Bhutanese history.

  • 18th Druk Desi: In 1777, after the death of the previous Druk Desi, Kuenga Rinchen, he became the 18th Druk Desi, a political and spiritual leader of Bhutan.

• Description by British Officers
  
  

  • Objective and Curious Leader: British officers who met him described him as someone who was focused on understanding things and had a curious mind.

  • Dignity, Honour, and Humour: He was seen as a leader with respect, integrity, and a sense of humour. His ability to maintain a good balance of seriousness and light-heartedness made him well-liked.

  • Respected by Foreigners: His leadership style earned him respect from foreign officers, who admired his qualities.

• Achievements during his Rule (1777-1789)
  
  

  • Spiritual and Religious Development:

    • One of his main focuses was the growth of spiritual and religious education in Bhutan. He worked to make religion and spirituality an important part of the country's culture during his rule.

  • Foreign Relations:

    • Jigme Singye was successful in establishing peaceful relationships with neighbouring states, ensuring that Bhutan was in good terms with other countries in the region.

  • Governance:

    • He ruled for 12 years and was able to keep peace in the country throughout his time in power. He maintained stability and avoided conflicts within Bhutan.

Warren Hastings' Mission (1783 CE)

• Purpose: Warren Hastings, the British Governor-General of India, sent Samuel Turner on a mission to Bhutan and Tibet in 1783 to strengthen British trade interests and gather more information about Bhutan and the Himalayas.

• Arrival in Bhutan: Turner and his team arrived in Thimphu, Bhutan, on June 3, 1783.

• Stay in Bhutan:

  • Turner’s team stayed in Bhutan for several months, waiting for approval to enter Tibet.

  • During their stay, they were treated to Bhutanese hospitality.

  • Turner’s team had the opportunity to connect personally with the Bhutanese Desi (leader).

Relations Between Bhutan and British India

• Peaceful Relations (1783-1788): During Jigme Singye's reign, Bhutan and British India maintained a peaceful relationship for more than ten years.

• Absence of Major Conflicts: There were no significant conflicts between the two governments during this period.

Desi Jigme Singye’s Later Years

• Internal Struggles in Bhutan: Despite the peaceful relations with British India, Bhutan faced internal conflicts and feuds.

• Pilgrimage to Tsari (1788): In 1788, Desi Jigme Singye left the court to go on a pilgrimage to Tsari, a sacred place in Tibet.

• Death in Tibet (1789): Jigme Singye passed away in Central Tibet in 1789 during his pilgrimage.

Revision questions 

1. What was the main focus of Druk Desi Jigme Singye's leadership during his time in power?
   
   

2. How did the British officers describe Druk Desi Jigme Singye's personality and leadership style?
   
   

3. What was the purpose of Warren Hastings' mission to Bhutan in 1783, and how did Bhutan interact with the British during this time?
   
   

4. What were some of the challenges Bhutan faced during Druk Desi Jigme Singye's rule, despite maintaining peaceful relations with British India?
   
   

5. How did Druk Desi Jigme Singye's pilgrimage to Tsari end, and what happened to him during his journey?