Jigme Singye Wangchuck

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Jigme Singye Wangchuck
4th King of Bhutan
Image:Jigme Singye Wangchuck.jpg
Reign 21/24 July 1972 - 14 December 2006
Coronation 2 June 1974
Born 11 November 1955 (1955-11-11) (age 52)
Birthplace Dechenchholing Palace,
Thimphu, Bhutan
Predecessor Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Successor Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
Consort Ashi Dorji Wangmo
Ashi Tshering Yangdon
Ashi Tshering Pem
Ashi Sangay Choden
Issue Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck
Dasho Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Ashi Sonam Dechen Wangchuck
Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck
Ashi Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck
Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck
Dasho Jigme Wangchuck
Dasho Khamsum Singye Wangchuck
Ashi Euphelma Choden Wangchuck
Father Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Mother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck

Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born November 11, 1955) was the fourth Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo) of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006. He acceded to the throne at the age of 17, in 1972, after the sudden death of his father, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. When he was formally crowned on June 2, 1974 he was the youngest monarch in the world and the coronation was noted for inviting foreign dignitaries, thus signalling the end of the long isolation of the country. He is also called "Druk Gyalpo," meaning "Dragon King". He was educated in Bhutan and the United Kingdom.

The fourth king continued his father's policies of slow modernization and socio-economic development for the country while still trying to preserve Bhutanese culture. In 1988 he instituted the policy of Driglam Namzha (Etiquette and Manners) which required all citizens to wear traditional clothing while in public, and established the requirement of teaching Dzongkha (the national language) in schools. In 1998, he voluntarily reduced the scope of his absolute powers, and began to formally rule with the advice of his government. He is the man behind Bhutan's constitution and the country's first democratic elections in 2008.

In late 2003, he ordered Bhutan's first military campaign in well over a century, to oust Assamese separatists who were using Bhutanese territory to launch raids against targets in India (see History of Bhutan). Singye also coined the term Gross National Happiness, a concept which is used to help guide the economic and development plans of Bhutan.

On December 17, 2005 he announced his intention to abdicate in 2008, leaving the throne to his son [2]. In a royal edict issued on December 14, 2006, the king announced that he would begin handing over power to his eldest son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck immediately. He had ordered a parliamentary election to be held in 2008.[1].

Singye was named as one of Time magazine's 100 People Who Shape Our World in 2006. [3]. He appeared in the May 8, 2006 issue of Time. His reign is marked by phenomenal development. Roads and bridges, schools and hospitals, basic services in agriculture and livestock now reach deep into the remote corners of the country.Bhutan has also made tremendous progress in the filed of communications, hydro-electric power development, financial sector, environmental protection, and industrial and infrastructural development during the king's reign.

Jigme Singye Wangchuck is married to four queens (all of whom are sisters) and has five sons and five daughters. Several of his children have been educated abroad.


[edit] References

  1. ^ Sengupta, Somini. "Line Up and Pick a Dragon: Bhutan Learns to Vote." New York Times. 24 April 2007. (Accessed 24 April 2007)[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Jigme Singye Wangchuck
House of Wangchuck
Born: 11 November 1955
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck		 Dragon King of Bhutan
1972-2006		 Succeeded by
Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck