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Dzongs in Bhutan



ü   Importance of Dzongs ( Note: for students reference only)
 The word dzong means ‘a fortress’.
ü  Dzongs have served and acted as an effective defence against any attack or invasion.
ü  It is mostly built on the mountain overlooking and commanding the whole valley below.
ü  It is often surrounded by watch towers and observation posts located in the hill sides.
ü  History of the construction of dzongs in Bhutan can be categorized into three phases;
ü  Pre-Zhabdrung dzongs
ü  The Zhabdrung era dzongs
ü  The post-Zhabdrung dzongs.
ü  Dzongs were first built in Bhutan by Lam Gyalwa Lhanangpa in 12th century.
ü  Do Ngon dzong (Blue stone dzong) was built by him.
ü  Pre-Zhabdrung dzongs were used as monasteries.
ü  Dzongs played an important role in the history of Bhutan from zhabdrung’s time.
ü  The reason is “Dzongs not only acted as a helpful defence but also became the centres of religious and cultural activities and the seat of civil authority.
ü  It also became the symbol of Drukpa rule”.
ü  Almost all the dzongs were built in the same way. There were no blueprints to any of the dzongs.
ü  It was built purely from the direction and dictation of a high lama or Rimpoche spurred on by the spiritual forces.
ü  It was designed as parallelograms divided into several courtyards and was mainly made up of mud, stones and timber.
ü  The dzongs house many treasures, religious artifacts of great value, books and written record and weapons too.
ü  Many of the dzongs were burnt and damaged by earthquake and floods.
ü  This has resulted in the loss of treasures and records.
ü  Dzongs functioned as granaries during famine.
ü  It also played an important role in the religious life of the country.
ü  It had a central monastery to house the monks and carry out religious training.

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