Bhutan: The Dragon Kingdom in Crisis

by Nari Rustomji

150p, ills, maps on e/ps. dj is "good."

Genres: History

160 pages, Textbook Binding

First published December 14, 1978

Reviews

[John Eliade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intense and rare book. It's apparently "officially" banned in Bhutan but I was told, in my search for what seemed to be Game of Thrones in Bhutan, that it was "That book no one is supposed to have, but sits on everyone's shelf." When I got back to the United States, I found it at my home university's library.

I suggest this book for an inside look into a little-known chapter of Bhutanese history. I love Bhutanese history because while the rest of the world is dealing with the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bhutan is dealing with internal troubles and secret coups led by the Third King's Tibetan mistress. (The Third King as the current reigning King's grandfather is clearly the reason for the book's "banned" status in country.) That said, the book was written by Prime Minister Jigmie Dorji's friend and confidant Nari Rustomji, himself the former prime minister of Sikkim. The book was written about Prime Minister Dorji's assassination and the events that led up to and followed the fatal gunshot, along with a very loose interpretation of how the Wangchuck Dynasty - and the "lady" Yangki - were possibly or probably involved. It's not quite so damning as its banned status may imply, but it does bring up some interesting questions about the midcentury Wangchucks and their grasp on power in Thimphu.

For an interesting look into the last Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom, and a unique insight into the mysterious history of this country, I highly recommend locating a copy of this book and checking it out.

[Benu B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am making a small change in my review of this book since some reviewers have said the book is banned in Bhutan. The book isn't banned in Bhutan. In fact, not a single book is officially banned in Bhutan. If somebody doesn't want to read it or possess it, then perhaps he or she has the reason for chosing so. It is a harmless little book, beautifully written in classic prose, and shelds some light into the way Bhutan was in the first and the early second half of the 20th Century. I read the book with pleasure and profit. Historically speaking, the book may not serve as a serious reference as the writer seems to have lost some hold on rationality of a historian at places. But then, Rustomji wasn't writing a historical book - he was just doing a memoir about his association with people he knew and, perhaps, cared. That is it. As a memoir, it is a beautiful book. But even for readers with historical bend of mind, the book is relevant. The book is a first-hand narrative and says a lot about what had taken place on that dark day in 1965. Plus, the discription about the Bhutan those days (the people, the roads, etc) is a bonus for any body who is serious about writing a historical fiction.

If somebody is interested to read, you can contact me.

[AskHistorians]

It's a first hand account of a particularly dark period of Bhutan's history. Unfortunately, not a lot of information exists on the assassination of Prime Minister Jigmie Dorji, so this is the most detailed work out there (though it's not without its biases sine Rustomji was a close friend of Jigmie Dorji).

[Jacqueline]

The Queen had told me of the ancient prophecy by Guru Padma Sambhava that a future ruler of Bhutan would be born in the Thimphu Valley. The prophecy had been fulfilled in the birth of her son. According to this prophecy, the first twelve years of his reign would be years of happiness and peace. The thirteenth year would be a critical year, with danger threatening the country. But when once it was past, his reign would continue in uninterrupted happiness and prosperity. His father, the late King, was enthroned in 1952, and the first twelve years of his reign were years of happiness for his family and peace for his country. In 1964, his Prime Minister was assassinated and his country plunged in bitter dissension. History, it is said, repeats itself.

[Tshewang Lhamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I m very excited to read this book As it is about bhutan

[KINZANG CHABDAG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interested

[དགོན་པ་ རྡོ་རྗེ།]

Its important to read the history.

[Kencho Wangdi]

just want to read