Second Battle of Simtokha Dzong
Second Tibetan Invasion of Bhutan | |||||||||
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Part of the Unification of Bhutan and the Tsangpa-Ngawang Namgyal conflict | |||||||||
The reconstructed Simtokha Dzong. | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
forces of Zhabdrung Rinpoche Ngawang Namgyal | |||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
(military chief commander) | |||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
Five Tibetan divisions[b] Unknown number of lamaist troops[1] | Unknown, but probably small[10] | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||||
Tsangpa: likely heavy[4] "Five Lamas": Unknown | Unknown |
The Second Tibetan Invasion of Bhutan[4] or the Second Battle of Simtokha Dzong[11] was a military confrontation in 1634 between the supporters of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and the forces of the Tibetan Tsangpa dynasty and several Bhutanese lamas allied against him. The latter initially conquered Zhabdrung's seat, Simtokha Dzong, threatening to eliminate his young dominion. The castle's ammunition stores were accidentally ignited during the battle, however, resulting in an explosion that destroyed Simtokha Dzong and much of the Tibetan army. Seizing this chance, Zhabdrung's followers rallied and ousted the Tibetans from their territory, turning the battle into a decisive strategic victory of Ngawang Namgyal, paving the way for the Unification of Bhutan under his rule.
Prelude
As result of a theological and political dispute in Tibet over the reincarnation of the
His growing influence angered not only his Tibetan enemies, but also several powerful rival Buddhist schools of western Bhutan such as the Lhapa sect. Eventually, the Tsangpa invaded Bhutan in collaboration with the Lhapa hierarchs to eliminate Ngawang Namgyal in 1619. This first invasion was eventually defeated by the Bhutanese chieftains who had rallied to Zhabdrung's support, but the conflict between him and the Tsangpa continued, especially since a smallpox epidemic that killed King Karma Phuntsok Namgyal and many other members of the Tibetan dynasty was attributed to Ngawang Namgyal's alleged magical powers.[15]
After a time of self-chosen seclusion, Zhabdrung proclaimed his intention to become the spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. While the Drukpa Kagyu,
The campaign
Supported by the Bhutanese lamaist militias, King Karma Tenkyong sent five Tibetan divisions down into Bhutan: Four of these led an assault via the Paro and Gasa valleys, targeting Simtokha Dzong, while the fifth occupied the Bumthang valley, although that valley was home to the neutral Kingdom of Bumthang. Why the Tsangpa dynasty also occupied Bumthang is unknown, but John A. Ardussi speculates that either Ngawang Namgyal had a large following there or that the Tibetans at least believed it to be so.[10][21] Once again, Zhabdrung's supporters rallied to his defense, but it became quickly apparent that the Tibetan-Lamaist coalition was far stronger. Deputing his political and military duties to his confidant Tenzin Drukgyal, Ngawang Namgyal retreated to Jarogang in Khothangkha, resolved to escape to India if his domain would be destroyed. As the situation for Zhabdrung's forces became increasingly dire, Tibetan troops attacked Simtokha Dzong.[10] Equipped with large numbers of matchlocks as well as Chinese trebuchets,[23] Karma Tenkyong's troops quickly stormed the palace. The Tibetans went on to demand hostages from Ngawang Namgyal, who only gave a defiant reply. While Tibetan soldiers were looting the dzong, however, its gunpowder stores were ignited, perhaps by accident. Simtokha Dzong, constructed just three years prior, exploded, killing most of the Tibetan forces present.[6] As the Tibetans had been unaware of the ammunition, with the explosion seemingly coming out of nowhere, panic quickly spread among the survivors. Recognizing the chance, Zhabdrung's forces managed to overwhelm the remaining Tibetans in a counterattack. Bhutanese sources even claim that "the few [invaders] who survived, returned to Tibet with the news of a terrible defeat."[4] Ardussi argues, however, that "it [is not] certain that the dispersal of the Tibetan and allied Bhutanese armies was complete" and that sporadic fighting in western Bhutan probably continued until 1639.[5] After their victory at Simtokha Dzong, Ngawang Namgyal and his followers also expelled the Barawa monks from their strongholds in the Gasa valley, eliminating one rival sect from Bhutan for good.[7]
Aftermath
Even though his forces had triumphed over the Tibetan invaders and he remained in power, Ngawang Namgyal's victory was a costly one. His regime had almost collapsed and his new seat of power was destroyed, while both the Tsangpa dynasty and the rival lamas remained a constant threat to his realm.[5] Nevertheless, Ngawang Namgyal resumed "with undiminished determination to carry on his task of state-building". After praying for the fallen soldiers at Chagri Monastery, he immediately began to seek a place to construct an even grander dzong than Simtokha. After he found one, the foundation for the new Punakha Dzong was laid in 1637;[24] after its completion it remained the administrative centre and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu.[25] Simtokha Dzong, on the other hand, was only rebuilt in 1671.[4] While Ngawang Namgyal continued to unify Bhutan, the Tibetans and their dissident Bhutanese allies launched one last invasion in 1639, but this war quickly turned into a stalemate. Meanwhile, the Tsangpa were increasingly confronted with conflicts in Tibet, so that Karma Tenkyong eventually initiated negotiations to end the conflict. Zhabdrung Rinpoche Ngawang Namgyal was recognized by the Tibetans as ruler of western Bhutan, and in the years until his death he would eliminate the sects that opposed him and also conquer much of eastern Bhutan.[26]
Notes
- ^ a b While there is a relative agreement among scholars that the Lhapa, Nenyingpa, and Chagzampa lamas were among Zhabdrung's enemies, it remains unclear which other sects might have fought against him or if there were even just five. Among the lamaist groups that have been considered possible members of the "Five Lamas" are: Gedan Shingtapa (Gelug), Barawa, Kathogpa and Sakyapa, although the latter two are often dismissed as they continued to flourish under Ngawang Namgyal's rule.[3]
- ^ Four divisions were present during the battle at Simtokha Dzong, while the fifth occupied the Kingdom of Bumthang.[1][9]
References
- ^ a b c d Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 228.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 228, 235.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 235, 236.
- ^ a b c d e f g Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 229.
- ^ a b c Ardussi (1977), p. 220.
- ^ a b Aris (1979), p. 219.
- ^ a b c Ardussi (1977), pp. 220, 262.
- ^ Ardussi (1977), p. 262.
- ^ Ardussi (1977), pp. 219, 220.
- ^ a b c Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 228, 229.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 227.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 212-217.
- ^ a b Harrison (2011), p. 41.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 217, 218.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 218-220.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 222, 223.
- ^ Ardussi (1977), p. 217.
- ^ Harrison (2011), p. 43.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 227, 228.
- ^ Ardussi (1977), pp. 218, 219.
- ^ a b c Ardussi (1977), p. 219.
- ^ Harrison (2011), p. 12, 42.
- ^ Harrison (2011), p. 42, 43.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 229, 230.
- ^ Dorji Wangmo (2006), p. 40–41, 102.
- ^ Karma Phuntsho (2013), p. 232-237.
Bibliography
- Ardussi, John A. (1977). Bhutan before the British: A historical study. Acton, Australian Capital Territory: Australian National University.
- ISBN 9788184003116.
- ISBN 978-0856681998.
- ISBN 0-670-99901-6.
- ISBN 978-1849083966.