Jakar history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the city of Jakar is inextricably linked with the legends and spiritual traditions of the region. The founding date is considered to be 1549, when Lama Ngagi Wangchuk, the great-grandfather of the country's unifier Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, chose a site for the construction of a small monastery. According to legend, while searching for a location for the abode, he saw a large white bird soaring above the ridge. This was interpreted as an auspicious omen, and the fortress founded there was named "Jakar Dzong," which translates as "The Fortress of the White Bird."

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small monastic settlement into an important centre of the Bumthang province was driven by several reasons:

• Geography and Climate: The city is located in the vast and fertile Chokhor Valley. This is one of the widest valleys in Bhutan, which historically facilitated the development of agriculture and livestock farming.
• Strategic Importance: Jakar Dzong, towering over the valley, served as a reliable defensive structure and an administrative centre controlling trade routes and the surrounding lands.
• Religious Status: Bumthang is considered the spiritual heart of the kingdom, and the presence of sacred sites here attracted pilgrims, contributing to the growth of the settlement.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy and culture of early Jakar were formed under the conditions of Himalayan isolation, relying on self-sufficiency and religious traditions.

• Weaving: The region has long been famous for the production of "yatra"—a dense woollen fabric with bright geometric patterns. This craft remained an important article of local exchange and trade for centuries.
• Agriculture: Unlike in warmer regions, buckwheat and barley were grown here, and yaks were raised, which defined the specifics of the local cuisine and way of life.
• Architecture: The city developed around the dzong, which set the tone for traditional architecture with massive walls and rich wooden decor characteristic of Himalayan architecture.

Chronology of Historical Events

• 7th Century: The Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo builds the Jambay Lhakhang temple, which becomes one of the first Buddhist sanctuaries in Bhutan.
• 8th Century: The great master Guru Rinpoche visits the valley, meditates in the Kurjey cave, and lays the spiritual foundations of the region.
• 1549: Lama Ngagi Wangchuk founds the fortress, around which the city of Jakar subsequently forms.
• 1646: After the unification of the country by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the local dzong is expanded and becomes the administrative centre of the East.
• 1857: Construction of the Wangdichholing Palace is completed, becoming the main residence of rulers and the birthplace of future kings.
• 1862: Ugyen Wangchuk is born in the valley; he would play a key role in unifying the nation and become the first monarch of the dynasty.
• 1897: A devastating earthquake causes serious damage to the walls of Jakar Dzong, requiring large-scale restoration works.
• 1907: With the election of Ugyen Wangchuk as the first hereditary king, the city acquires the status of the ancestral estate of the ruling family.
• 2010: A major fire in the Chamkhar commercial district leads to the necessity of a complete reconstruction of the historic bazaar.
• 2011: Bathpalathang Airport officially opens, providing direct air connection between the valley and the capital.
• 2022: A project to extend the runway is completed, allowing the airport to accommodate larger aircraft.

Major Milestones in the City's Development

The development of the city of Jakar followed a unique path, where ancient traditions were harmoniously interwoven with modern economic initiatives. Here are the key stages that defined the modern appearance and status of this place:

• Foundation of the Administrative Centre (1549). The construction of the Jakar Dzong fortress laid the foundation for the urban structure of the valley. The Dzong became not only a defensive structure but also a focal point for trade and governance, uniting scattered settlements into a single administrative unit.
• Construction of Wangdichholing Palace (1857). The appearance of this residence marked an important architectural shift. It was the first major palace complex in Bhutan built not as a fortress but as a residential estate for rulers, which facilitated the development of civil architecture and crafts around the court.
• Launch of Swiss Development Projects (1970s). Cooperation with European specialists led to an economic revolution in the region. In Jakar, a cheese factory, beverage production facilities, and honey production were established, creating a unique gastronomic brand for the city and new jobs.
• Integration into the Road Network (End of the 20th Century). The construction of the national highway passing through the valley brought the city out of geographic isolation. This gave a powerful impulse to trade with the western and eastern regions of the country, turning the city into an important transit hub.
• Urban Reconstruction of Chamkhar (2010–2011). After a series of major fires, the Chamkhar trading quarter was completely rebuilt. Chaotic wooden structures were replaced by modern buildings adhering to the traditional style, with wide streets and fire safety systems, which significantly improved the quality of the urban environment.
• Opening of Bathpalathang Airport (2011). The launch of regular air services became a catalyst for a tourism boom. Reducing travel time from the capital from ten hours to half an hour made the spiritual shrines of the valley accessible for wider tourism, stimulating hotel construction and service development.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The urban structure of the city of Jakar is unique in that it does not follow conventional Western canons of urbanization. There are no high-rise buildings here, and the urban landscape is harmoniously integrated into the terrain of the Chokhor Valley. The architectural appearance has been formed over centuries under the influence of Buddhist traditions and the rigorous Himalayan climate, where every building, from a mighty fortress to a residential house, adheres to a unified aesthetic code.

Eras and Architectural Styles

The development of architecture in the region can be broadly divided into three key stages, each of which has left its mark on the valley's appearance:

• The Era of Fortress Architecture (16th–17th Centuries). A period of country unification and internal conflicts. The main style is the dzong (fortress-monastery). It is characterized by massive sloping walls made of rammed earth and stone, narrow slit windows in the lower section, and rich wooden decor on the upper floors. This is monumental defensive architecture symbolizing power and religion.
• The Era of Palace Architecture (19th Century). With the establishment of stability and the rise of the Wangchuk dynasty, the style softened. Palace complexes appeared which, while retaining traditional elements, lacked the severe defensive function. The emphasis shifted to living comfort, spacious courtyards, and exquisite wood carving.
• Modern Traditionalism (20th–21st Centuries). In Bhutan, there is a government-mandated requirement to observe the traditional style even in new construction. Modern buildings in the Chamkhar trading quarter are built using concrete but externally imitate classic forms: mandatory painted cornices, multi-level roofs, and traditional "rabsel" window frames.

Landmark Structures that Shaped the City

The appearance of Jakar is defined by several key objects that serve not only as architectural landmarks but also as centres of public life:

• Jakar Dzong ("Fortress of the White Bird"). Towering on a ridge above the valley, this complex sets the visual scale for the entire settlement. Its distinctive feature is the central tower (utse), which is taller and more massive than in other dzongs of the country. The fortress walls, painted white with a wide red stripe (kemar) under the roof, are visible from almost any point in the city.
• Wangdichholing Palace. Built in 1857, this complex became the first palace in the country not to be a fortress. Its architecture marks the transition to a peaceful life: there are no defensive towers, but instead, wide galleries and large windows that let in plenty of light. The building served as a prototype for many subsequent aristocratic residences.
• Chamkhar Trading Quarter. This is the modern "heart" of the city, located in the lowlands by the river. After a series of fires in the 2010s, the district was rebuilt according to a new master plan. Chaotic wooden buildings were replaced by orderly rows of two-to-three-storey buildings executed in a unified national style, with wide pavements and decorative elements adorned with Buddhist symbolism.

Distinguished Personalities

The historical chronicle of the city of Jakar and the entire Bumthang Valley is inextricably linked with the names of great saints, rulers, and reformers. It was here that people lived and created who laid the spiritual and political foundation of the modern Kingdom of Bhutan.

• Songtsen Gampo (7th Century) — Tibetan Emperor and Temple Builder.
  A legendary ruler who, according to legends, erected 108 temples across the Himalayas to immobilize a demoness hindering the spread of Buddhism. One of these temples, Jambay Lhakhang, is located in Jakar and is the oldest surviving building in the region, attracting pilgrims for over a thousand years.
• Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) (8th Century) — Great Master and "Second Buddha".
  A key figure in the history of Himalayan Buddhism. He arrived in Bumthang at the invitation of the local King Sindhu Raja to heal him from an ailment. He meditated in a cave where he left an imprint of his body (now the Kurjey Lhakhang temple) and converted the local inhabitants to Buddhism.
• Pema Lingpa (1450–1521) — Terton (Treasure Revealer) and Saint.
  One of the country's most revered saints, born in the Bumthang Valley. He discovered sacred texts and relics hidden by Guru Rinpoche, and also created the famous sacred dances (cham) which are performed at festivals to this day. He is considered a direct ancestor of the current royal dynasty.
• Ngagi Wangchuk (1517–1554) — Lama and City Founder.
  The great-grandfather of the unifier Zhabdrung. It was he who chose the strategic location on the ridge for meditation and the construction of a small monastery, having seen an omen in the form of a white bird. The Jakar Dzong fortress subsequently grew around this site.
• Jigme Namgyal (1825–1881) — Trongsa Penlop and Father of the First King.
  An outstanding statesman and military commander who effectively ruled the country during a period of instability. He was actively involved in restoring monasteries and fortifications in Bumthang, laying the foundation for the rise of his family.
• Ugyen Wangchuk (1862–1926) — The First King of Bhutan.
  Born in the Wangdichholing Palace in Jakar. An outstanding diplomat and strategist who managed to unite the warring regions of the country. In 1907, he was unanimously elected the first hereditary monarch, marking the beginning of an era of stability and prosperity.
• Jigme Wangchuk (1905–1952) — The Second King of Bhutan.
  The eldest son of the first king, who also spent a significant part of his life in Jakar. He continued the policy of centralization, initiated tax reforms, and paid great attention to preserving the cultural heritage of the valley by restoring ancient temples.