This section is from the book "Chambers's Concise Gazetteer Of The World", by David Patrick. Also available from Amazon: Chambers's Concise Gazetteer Of The World.
Bhutan (Boo-tan'), a native state in the eastern Himalayas, bounded by Tibet, Assam, and Sik-kim. It is divided into East and West Bhutan; and before the British annexation in 1841 and 1865 of the eighteen Dwars or passes which lead from the plains to the lofty terraces of Bhutan, the area was estimated at 20,000 sq. m.; since, it has been estimated at 17,000 sq. m. The whole surface is mountainous, with summits exceeding 24,000 feet. The central regions, at an elevation of 8000 or 10,000 feet above the sea, are covered with the finest forests of oak and pine, with beech, ash, birch, and maple. The Manas, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, is the chief river. The nominal religion is Buddhism. The government, almost purely ecclesiastical, is in the hands of a rapacious oligarchy. The Dharm Rajah, the nominal head, is treated rather as a god than as a sovereign; while the Deb Rajah, the actual head, is elected every three years by the chiefs from amongst themselves. Polygamy and polyandry are common. The Bhutias are neat joiners, and their houses have the appearance of Swiss chalets. The winter capital is Punakha, on the Bugui River, 96 miles NE. of Darjeeling. The summer capital is Tasichozong (Tassisudon), on the Gudada River, a centre of Lamaism. The original inhabitants, believed to be from Kuch Behar, were called Tephu; they were subdued by a band of Tibetan soldiers 200 years ago, who settled in Bhutan. The Bhutias speak a dialect of Tibetan. In 1772 the rajah of Kuch Behar received assistance from the British government against their invasions. Later raids led to the treaty of 1865, when the eighteen Dwars or passes of Bengal and Assam were ceded to the British government in return for a yearly subvention. Pop. variously estimated at from 20,000 to 200,000.
 
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