Jigme Namgyal

Who was Jigme Namgyal?

Jigme Namgyal of Bhutan is a forefather of the House of Wangchuck. He served as 51st Druk Desi of Bhutan, and held the hereditary post of 10th Penlop of Trongsa. He was the descendant of the Nyingma saint Pema Lingpa and a patriarch of the Nyö clan. With his influence as Druk Desi, he aided his son in consolidating power in Bhutan and retained considerable clout after his official tenure had ended, gaining him the moniker Deb Nagpo. Jigme Namgyal effectively reigned through his death 1881, punctuated by periods of retirement during which he retained control of the country.

During his lifetime, Jigme Namgyal and his forces came to dominate the eastern provinces of Bhutan as Penlop of Trongsa from his base at Trongsa Dzong in the town of Trongsa, Trongsa Province. A generation later, eastern forces led by his son Ugyen Wangchuck conquered western forces loyal to the anti-British Paro Penlop.