Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (, Wylie: 'jigs med rdo rje dbang phyuk; May 2, 1928 – July 21, 1972) was the last Maharaja and first Dragon King of Bhutan. He began to open Bhutan to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first steps toward democratization. Upon succeeding his father, Jigme Wangchuck, on 27 October 1952, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck put an end to feudalism and slavery and released all remaining serfs. He encouraged certain modern i... more

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (, Wylie: 'jigs med rdo rje dbang phyuk; May 2, 1928 – July 21, 1972) was the last Maharaja and first Dragon King of Bhutan. He began to open Bhutan to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first steps toward democratization. Upon succeeding his father, Jigme Wangchuck, on 27 October 1952, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck put an end to feudalism and slavery and released all remaining serfs. He encouraged certain modern inventions to assist the local peasantry and introduced wheeled vehicles, where previously the transportation of crops and people was done manually. He established a High court and reorganized the judicial system. In 1953, he established the Tshogdu or National assembly - Bhutan’s first unicameral Parliament. He established the Royal Advisory Council in 1963 and promulgated a new constitution in which he replaced the old titles of Maharaja and Highness with the title of Dragon King and the style of Majesty. During his reign Bhutan’s first... less