Jigme Wangchuck

Jigme Wangchuck was born in 1905, at the Thinley Rabten Palace in Wangdue Phodrang District. He received his education at Wangduechhoeling Palace, where he learned English and Hindi and received a religious education.Lham Dorji, p. 30 As the first son of Ugyen Wangchuck, Jigme was expected to succeed his father; accordingly, he was given the title Penlop of Trongsa in 1923.Lham Dorji, p. 31

Jigme Wangchuck ascended to the throne in 1926, after the death of Ugyen Wangchuck; he received his formal coronation in Punakha on 14 March 1927.Lham Dorji, p. 32 He primarily focused his energies on internal construction and infrastructure projects: for instance, Jigme oversaw the renovation of dzongs and monasteries in eastern Bhutan,Lham Dorji, p. 35 and founded and renovated several schools in the country.Lham Dorji, p. 39 He also built several royal residences, including the Kuenga Rabten winter palace in Trongsa and additional residences at Samdrupcholing and Domkhar.Lham Dorji, p. 33 Jigme was interested in other infrastructural projects, such as improving roads and modernizing medical facilities, but was unable to pursue those projects due to a lack of revenue.Lham Dorji, p. 38 Jigme also paid close attention to the administration of Bhutan's laws. He discouraged capital punishment for all crimes besides murder, reduced the judicial fees on the citizenry, and allowed citizens to call on him to appeal the judgments of lower officials.Lham Dorji, pp. 44–45

Jigme's foreign policy was primarily isolationist, though he followed his father in maintaining friendly relations with the British Raj. When World War II broke out, Jigme sent 100,000 rupees to the Raj as a gesture of goodwill. In return, the Raj protected Bhutan's isolation by preventing Westerners from visiting the country.Lham Dorji, pp. 36–37 After India became independent, Jigme sent a delegation to initiate diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan; this meeting led to the 1949 friendship treaty between the two nations, in which Bhutan agreed to let India "guide" its foreign policy. This treaty also saw India paying an annual subsidy to Bhutan and handing over 32 square miles of land in Dewangiri.Lham Dorji, pp. 37–38

Early in 1952, Jigme fell ill, and witnessed omens that convinced him he would die. Consequently, he resolved to spend his last days practicing archery, which was one of his favorite pastimes; however, his condition deteriorated during this time, and after ten days he had become too sick to continue with archery. He retired to the Kuenga Rabten Palace, where he died on 30 March.Lham Dorji, p. 45

The Second King, Jigme Wangchuck, had five children with his two cross cousins, Ashi Phuntsho Choden and her sister, Ashi Pema Dechen:

• The Third King (Druk Gyalpo) Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (by his first wife).
• Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Choki Wangmo Wangchuck (by his second wife).
• Prince (Druk Gyalsey) Namgyel Wangchuck, 26th Penlop of Paro (by his second wife).
• Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Deki Yangzom Wangchuck (by his second wife).
• Princess (Druk Gyalsem) Pema Choden Wangchuck (by his second wife).

Princess Choki Wangmo Wangchuck had two daughters, Ashi Deki Choden and Ashi Sonam Yulgyal.

Princess Pema Choden Wangchuck had four children; Ashi Namden, Dasho Namgyel Dawa (Tulku Namgyel Rinpoche), Dasho Wangchen Dawa (Kathok Situ Rinpoche) and Dasho Leon Rabten.

Princess Deki Yangzom Wangchuck had six children; Ashi Lhazen Nizal Rica, Dasho Jigme Namgyal, Dasho Wangchuck Dorji Namgyal, Ashi Yiwang Pindarica, Ashi Namzay Kumutha and the late Ashi Dechen.

• {{Flag|Bhutan|1949}}:
• 70px Maharaja Ugyen Wangchuck Medal 1st class in gold (17/11/1909).{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

• {{Flag|British Raj}}:
• 70px Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE - 03/06/1930).[http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33611/supplements/3477 London Gazette, 3 June 1930]
• 70px Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE - 11/03/1927).{{cite news|url=http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33256/pages/1601 |access-date=2011-08-11 |date=1927-03-11 |title=Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood |newspaper=London Gazette |volume=33256 |page=1601 |format=PDF}}
• 70px Delhi Durbar Silver Medal (12/12/1911).{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
• {{Flag|United Kingdom}} :
• 70px Recipient of the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal (06/05/1935).{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
• 70px Recipient of the King George VI Coronation Medal (12/05/1937).{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

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|1= 1. Jigme Wangchuck

|2= 2. Ugyen Wangchuck

|3= 3. Tsundue Pema Lhamo

|4= 4. Jigme Namgyal, 10th Trongsa Penlop and 48th Druk Desi

|5= 5. Pema Choki

|6= 6. Kunzang Thinley, Dzongpon of Thimphu

|7= 7. Sangay Drolma

|8= 8. Pila Gonpo Wangyal

|9= 9. Sonam Pedzom

|10= 10. Ugyen Phuntsho, 8th Trongsa Penlop

|11= 11. Rinchen Pelmo

|12= 12. Dungkar Gyeltshen, 11th Trongsa Penlop

|13=

|14= 14. Kencho Wangdu

|15=

}}

• House of Wangchuck

{{reflist}}

• Lham Dorji. [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lham_Dorji/publication/262373968_WANGCHUCK_DYNASTY_100_Years_of_Enlightened_Monarchy_in_Bhutan/links/0deec5376bf6ebc25e000000.pdf Wangchuck Dynasty: 100 Years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan]. Center for Bhutan Studies, 1998.

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{{s-hou|House of Wangchuck||1905||30 March 1952}}

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{{succession box

| before=Ugyen Wangchuck

| title=King of Bhutan

| after=Jigme Dorji Wangchuck

| years=1926–1952

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{{Rulers of Bhutan}}

{{History of Bhutan}}

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Category:1905 births

Category:1952 deaths

Category:Bhutanese monarchs

Category:World War II political leaders

Category:Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire

Category:Buddhist monarchs

Category:Wangchuck dynasty

Category:Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire

Category:Bhutanese recipients of British honours