RBGE acknowledges that our collections contain historic materials which may contain, either in their content or catalogue descriptions, terminology which is inappropriate, outdated, offensive or distressing. Such information does not reflect the current views and values of RBGE.
We welcome feedback about the language in our catalogues. While we cannot change fixed attributes connected to items in the collection (e.g. published titles, names or contents) we will always consider requests for changes to be made to other aspects of the records in our catalogues. Please contact archives@rbge.org.uk
Was the second Druk Gyalpo (King) of Bhutan from 26 August 1926 until his death on 30 March 1952.
3rd Druk Gylapo (King) of Bhutan (30 March 1952-21 July 1972)
"Father of modern Bhtuan". He began to open Bhutan to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first step towards democratization.
Only child of Druk Gylapo Jigme Wangchuck and Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuck.
Married in 1951 to Ashi Kesang Choden (b.1930). They had five children. He also had a concubine and four additional children.
Cook for Mr. JH Hicks and Betty Sherriff's group, during the Ludlow & Sherriff Expedition of 1949.
Known by Ludlow & Sherriff Expedition. Mentioned by Dr. JH Hicks in 1949. Presumably an indigenous individual who worked for George Sherriff.
A solider who accompanied Dr. JH Hicks and Betty Sherriff during the 1949 (final) Ludlow and Sherriff Expedition.
Also acted as an interpreter.
A Lepcha plant collector for George Sherriff.
Described by Dr. JH Hicks as a 'sharp, little man.' His father and grandfather were also plant collectors for other Europeans.
During the 1949, the final, Ludlow and Sherriff expedition, he was the chief collector for Betty Sherriff & Dr. JH Hicks. He also assisted, alongside Betty Sherriff, Dr. Hicks when he was doctoring.
Also acted as an interpreter
A Tibetan. Wife of the first Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigme Palden Dorji. As the wife of Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Tess La, had an important behind the scenes role to arrange meals and host important guests both domestic and foreign.
After her husband's assasination, she went to teach in a Tibetan school for young refugee students, and she eventually remarried.
Better known as Tess La (a nickname given to her by English nuns who were unable to pronounce her name).
She had 3 sons with her first husband: Dasho Benji Dorji, Tobgye Sonam Dorji and Kalden Wangchuk Dorji.
Tess La did not hold any official position in the Royal Government of Bhutan, but her unofficial duties and interests played an important role in Bhutanese education and diplomacy. She played an important role during the advent of modern education in Bhutan and was involved in starting Bhutan’s first agricultural cooperative to help farmers.
In the earlier days Tess La looked after a young Crown Prince Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who would go on to become His Majesty The Third King, HRH (Paro Penlop) Namgyel Wangchuck, HRH Ashi Deki Yangzom Wangchuck and many ordinary Bhutanese students who were among the first waves of Bhutanese studying in Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
Tess La was also part of the 3-member all women delegation sent from Bhutan headed by Ashi Tashi Chodzom Dorji to Australia in 1962 that enabled Bhutan to get a surprise entry into the Colombo Plan and here again Tess La played an important role behind the scenes. Ever the skill full host, full of charm and a good dancer, Tess La was a social hit and became popular with the international crowd already amazed by the all-women delegation from Bhutan to the Colombo plan talks.
Son of Sonham Tobgye Dorji. Became 1st offical Prime Minister of Bhutan (and first to hold the title, Lyonchen). Brother-in-law of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Was assassinated in April 1964
1928, at the age of nine, was appointed the Trungpa (Administrator) of Haa Dzongkhag
1953, he succeeded his father Raja Tobgay, after his death, as Bhutan Agent to Kalimpong.[6] He became the first man to hold the title Prime Minister of Bhutan (Lyonchen).
sister of the Queen Grandmother and grand-aunt to the current King, was born in Bhutan House in Kalimpong on 29 August 1923, the daughter of Gongzim Sonam Tobgye Dorji and Sikkim Princess Choying Wangmo Dorji.
In 1952, she was sent by the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck to eastern Bhutan to help the people who were being harshly taxed by local rulers, empowering her to give Kidu (land) to the Zaps and Tayps (landless classes). This became known as Ashi Tashi Thram and stopped the mass exodus of Bhutanese from the east to India.
In 1962, Tashi represented her brother Jigme Palden Dorji, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, at the 14th meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Colombo Plan, held in Melbourne, Australia.
On 11 July 2018 Ashi Tashi Dorji was the first Bhutanese national to be made an honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, in recognition of establishing strong ties between the two countries.