Wangchuck, Jigme Singye, << WAHNG chuk, JIHG may SIHNG yay >> (1955-…), was king of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006. He was Bhutan’s fourth king and fourth in the Wangchuck line of rulers. He sought to protect Bhutan and its culture from the influence of the modern world, but he also made Bhutan more democratic.
Crown Prince Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born in Dechenchholing Palace in Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. He received his early education from private tutors in Bhutan. He later studied in Darjiling, India, and in England. He returned to Bhutan and continued his studies at the Ugyen Wangchuck Academy in Paro.
The crown prince inherited the throne in 1972 when his father, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, died. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s official coronation took place in 1974. King Jigme toured Bhutan extensively in an effort to stay in touch with its people.
Jigme sought to preserve Bhutan’s traditional Buddhist culture. In the late 1980’s, his government passed laws requiring Bhutan’s people to wear traditional clothing on certain occasions and requiring schools to teach the country’s official language, Dzongkha. Similar laws enforce traditional building designs. The Bhutanese government also limits tourism in an effort to reduce Western influence in Bhutan.
Jigme’s political goals included giving more power to local government and increasing political participation by the Bhutanese people. In 1998, he gave Bhutan’s National Assembly the power to replace him with the successor to the throne. That year, King Jigme stepped down as head of Bhutan’s government and transferred executive authority to a council of ministers elected from the National Assembly. He continued to act as head of state and of Bhutan’s armed forces. He also continued to appoint about one-fourth of the members of the National Assembly.
Like his father, Jigme Singye Wangchuck was cautious about introducing modern technology in Bhutan. In 1999, however, the government lifted a ban on television and the internet with his consent. In addition, he worked to protect the country’s natural resources. A law passed by his government required that over half of Bhutan’s land remain covered by forests. Social reforms carried out under Jigme included the introduction of a national income tax and a low-cost housing and pension plan for the poor.
In December 2005, King Jigme announced that he would step down in 2008. He also announced that Bhutan’s first nationwide elections would take place that year. However, in December 2006, he gave up the throne to his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
