Bhutan: flag, capital, currency and history

Flag of Bhutan

Download the flag of Bhutan as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇧🇹.

History of Bhutan

Bhutan's early history is closely tied to the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in the Himalayas. In the seventeenth century the lama Ngawang Namgyal, known as the Zhabdrung, unified the region and established a dual system of religious and civil government. A period of internal conflict followed, and in 1907 Ugyen Wangchuck was chosen as the first hereditary king. Bhutan entered treaty relations with British India and, after 1947, with independent India. It joined the United Nations in 1971, and a written constitution establishing a constitutional monarchy took effect in 2008. Thimphu is the capital.

Key dates

1. 1616Ngawang Namgyal arrives in Bhutan and begins unifying the region.
2. 1865Bhutan signs the Treaty of Sinchulu with British India.
3. 1907Ugyen Wangchuck is installed as the first hereditary king.
4. 1949Bhutan and independent India sign a treaty of friendship.
5. 1971Bhutan becomes a member of the United Nations.
6. 2008A written constitution takes effect, establishing a constitutional monarchy.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.

Currency of Bhutan

Bhutan uses the Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN, Nu.) and Indian rupee (INR, ₹). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.

Frequently asked questions

Neighbours of Bhutan

ChinaBeijingIndiaNew Delhi

More countries in Southern Asia

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