The Theory of the Triple Incarnation of the Zhabdrung

(First Zhabdrung died in 1651)

Ngawang Namgyal had divided the country into various Dzongs, and appointed a penlop (Governor) or Dzongpon (Lieutenant Governor) for each. The absence of a suitable successor to him was followed in the first half of the eighteenth century, by the institutionalization of the theory of the triple incarnation of the Body, Speech and Mind of the Zhabdrung in the form of three people. The “mental” incarnation referred to by the British in India as the Dharma Raja, or king of religion, was recognized as the legitimate head of state.

Though in practice the Zhabdrung rarely wielded actual power, they did serve as effective symbols of national identity. Civil authority was held by their theoretical nominees, the Debs, or Desis, of whom there were no fewer than fifty-four in the troubled, fractious and unstable times between Ngawang Namgyal and the monarchy, from 1651 to 1907.