Daga (Daga Trashi Yangtse) Dzong/ Fortress of Dagana

Historical Background

Daga Trashi Yangtse Dzong

The Dzong was said to have come into existence by the period when Lam Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal entered into the Permanent Retreat at Punakha Dzong in 1651. The construction of the dzong was commanded by Zhabdrung after the completion of unification of Western and Central region of Bhutan with the intention of bringing the Southern region under the Drukpa Rule. The need of Drukpa administration in the south was to be aided by having a Representative from the Central Government at Punakha. Tenpa Thinley, in turn was nominated to oversee the construction of Daga Dzong and later appointed as its First Daga Poenlop (Governor of Daga Trashi Yangtse). According some unknown sources, Daga Poenlop was treated important among the three (i.e. Paro and Trongsa Poenlop) during the 17^th Century. This is said to be evident from the presence of three stairway in Punakha Dzong which can be still seen today. The history is recounted that Daga Poenlop was given the preference of centre stairway whenever he reported in the PunakhaDzong before the Central Authority. The tax collection in the region was authorized to the Daga Poenlop and then forwarded to the coffer of the Central Government in Punakha.

Stairway in Punakha Dzong

Thus, with the administrative centre having put in place, it symbolized the completion of laying Drukpa authority in the Southern region. The administrative jurisdiction of the Daga Poenlop cover Dagana, Sarpang, Tsirang, etc which is located at the basins of Sunkosh (PunaTsang Chhu) river.

Nomenclature

Initially, the Dzong was named as Daga Trashi Yangtse Dzong (Dzong on the Glorious Mount of Jewel) after the completion of its establishment. According to the oral sources, the name “Daga” was derived from the one of two mountain ranges in the country called (Dagala or Dakarla). Geographically, Dagana and Thimphu are located on the two end of the mountain range. It is believed that people from two used the mountain as the main transit route before the arrival of motorable roads in the country. It was supposed to be the shortest route to travel to Daga from Thimphu. In the recent times, a program in Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBSC) showcased the old route, tracing the earlier route that people used to travel from place to place.

Today, it is widely known as Dagana Dzong and is the administrative centre of Dagana Dzongkhag (District). It is being listed under World Heritage List by UNESCO in the year 2012 initiated by Bhutan National Commission for UNESCO.

Distant view of Daga Dzong.