Rediscovering Bhutan

It is unbelievable but true that in ancient times, Bhutan wasa Hindu 'kingdom'. Indian chiefs of Kamarupa, the then Ahom Kingdom (now Assam)ruled the region till about the middle of the seventh century A.D. After thedeath of King Bhaskaravarman (605-650 A.D.), anarchy and instability prevailedin the region leading to large-scale immigration from the neighbouring Tibet. Atthe request of these immigrants, Tibetan King Tritsun Desten commonly known asRalpachen (816-836 A.D.) sent a contingent of Tibetan troops under Lama DugpaniSheptoon who invaded the Hindu 'kingdom' during the ninth century A.D., droveout the Indians and occupied the land. A series of large-scale migrations over aperiod of time brought about four different cultural-ethnic groups, whichin turn led to uneven distribution of population and numerous semi-autonomousprincipalities. Rediscovering Bhutan is the story of those times. Itgives a detailed history of the country, from the very beginning to itstransformation into amodern country within a span of less than half a century. Highlighting all thesedetails and inclusion of numerous illustrations, has made the book a completeinformative and reference tool on Bhutan.