Historical evidence points to the fact that there was human inhabitation in Bhutan dating back to 2000 BC. Bhutan’s aboriginal tribes have existed since 500 BC. Written documents of the early history of the country were destroyed in a fire in the year 1827. A significant development in the history of the country was the introduction of Buddhism in the 7th century. There were several kings who spread Buddhism in the country, most notably Songtan Gampo and King Sindhu Raja. In the late 17th century, all the warring Mongol warlords, who each ruled a part of the country, were brought into a unified country by the Ngawang Namgyal, who was a military leader and a Tibetan lama. He brought in a code of law, called the Tsa Yig and fortified the country with a network of fortresses. After his death, there was a period of war against the Mughal Empire as well as border conflicts with the British for about 100 years. The Treaty of Sinchula that was signed between Bhutan and British India ended the war and restored peace in the region. In 1953, the country’s first legislature was established by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. He transferred the majority of his administrative powers to make the country an constitutional monarchy. He abdicated the throne in favor of his son, who was crowned king in the year 2008-Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
