Treaty of Punakha
Punakha Dzong, Punakha, Bhutan
What happened
Ugyen Wangchuck, the first King of Bhutan, and Charles Bell for British India signed the treaty. Bhutan and British India already had a treaty from 1865. At Punakha Dzong, the great fortress-monastery that was then Bhutan's seat of government, the two sides updated it. Britain doubled its yearly payment and promised not to interfere in Bhutan's internal affairs, while Bhutan agreed to take British advice on foreign affairs.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It kept Bhutan independent inside, one of the few Asian kingdoms never conquered by a colonial power. But Bhutan's foreign relations were guided by Britain.
What came next
In 1949 India recognised Bhutan's independence in a new treaty, which was replaced again in 2007.
Did you know?
Punakha Dzong was built in 1637–38, and in 1907 it hosted the crowning of Ugyen Wangchuck as Bhutan's first king.
Timeline
- 1865Treaty of Sinchula.
- 1907Ugyen Wangchuck is crowned at Punakha Dzong.
- 8 January 1910Treaty of Punakha.
- 8 August 1949Indo-Bhutan Treaty.