Bhutan's recorded history before the 7th century remains largely obscure. However, during the 9th century, political turmoil in Tibet led many monks to seek refuge in Bhutan. In the 12th century, the Drukpa Kagyupa school of Buddhism was established, which continues to be the dominant Buddhist tradition in Bhutan today.

Bhutan is one of the few countries that has maintained its independence throughout history, though some historians speculate that it may have been under Tibetan influence between the 7th and 9th centuries. In 1616, Ngawang Namgyal, a revered monk from western Tibet known as the Shabdrung Rinpoche, successfully unified Bhutan by defeating three Tibetan invasions and consolidating the independent principalities into a single state. However, after his death, the theocratic system weakened, leading to civil wars as provincial lords vied for power.

Peace was restored with the establishment of the monarchy in 1907. Ugyen Wangchuck was elected as Bhutan’s first hereditary ruler and was crowned Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) on December 17, 1907. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck later abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, with the vision of transitioning Bhutan into a full-fledged democracy, a process that culminated in 2008.