Chogyal Minjur Tempa

The Third Desi Chogyal Minjur Tempa was the third Druk Desi, the secular head of Bhutan, and previously the first penlop of Trongsa. His tenure as penlop was notable for the building of a watchtower and the unification of eight Eastern Districts into the Sharchog Khorlo Tsibgye.

Background

Chogyal Minjur Tempa was born in 1613 in Min-Chhud, Tibet, as Damchho Lhendrub. He became a monk at an early age. He was appointed as Umzey before he was appointed as the first Penlop of Trongsa by Ngawang Namgyal in 1647. As a Penlop of Trongsa, he was sent to Sharchog Khorlo Tsibgye to fight against the lords of Eastern Bhutan, which he was successful. He built many dzongs of Lhuentse, Trashigang, Jakar, and Zhemgang, and built Ta Dzong in Trongsa. Later in the year 1667, he was appointed as the 2nd Druk Desi by Ngawang Namgyal.