Jigme Palden Dorji
| Jigme Palden Dorji | |
|---|---|
| 1st Prime Minister of Bhutan | |
|
In office 1952 – 6 April 1964 | |
| Monarch | Jigme Dorji |
| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | Jigme Thinley |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1919 Bhutan House, Kalimpong, India |
| Died |
6 April 1964 (aged 44-45) Phuntsoling Guesthouse, Bhutan |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Ashi Tsering Yangzom |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents |
Sonam Topgay Dorji Chuni Wangmo |
Dasho (Lord) Jigme Palden Dorji[1] (1919 – 6 April 1964)[2] was a Bhutanese politician and member of the Dorji family. By marriage, he was also a member of the House of Wangchuck.[3]
The brother-in-law of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, Dorji was close to his kinsman and accompanied the future king when he lived in the United Kingdom in 1950.[4]
Appointed Chief Minister (Gongzim) in 1952,[5] he became the first man to hold the title Prime Minister of Bhutan (Lonchen).[6] This followed the upgrading of the old position in 1958 as part of a wider series of reforms by Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.[7] As brother-in-law of the Dragon King of Bhutan Dorji helped to drive the king's modernisation polices. However his reforms antagonised both the military and the religious institutions leading to a corporal in the army assassinating him in April 1964. Namgyal Bahadur, head of the Royal Bhutan Army, was amongst those executed for the murder plot.[7]
Honours
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King Mahendra Investiture Medal (Kingdom of Nepal, 2 May 1956).[8]
References
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| Preceded by office created |
Prime Minister of Bhutan 1952–1964 |
Succeeded by Lhendup Dorji Acting |
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