Bhutan’s existence dates back to the pre-historic times. Archeological findings point to that fact. However, the chronicled history of Bhutan was chronicled only after the advent of Buddhism in the eighth century.
In 747 A.D., the quintessence traveller Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava introduced Buddhism in Bhutan. Since then, Buddhism has played a dominant role in shaping social, political, economic and cultural ethos of the country. Over the centuries, many Buddhist saints and masters fortified Buddhism as the mainstream religion
In the 17th century, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1652), a leader of the Drukpa Kagyud School of Buddhism, unified power and established the dual system of governance. By the end of the 17th century, Bhutan emerged with a distinct political and cultural identity, with an unprecedented degree of political stability.