UMA PONLOP AND THE DZONG

Going by the prominently documented history, when we talk about Ponlops, only three executive positions pop up on our minds. They are: Paro Ponlop, Trongsa Ponlop and Daga Ponlop. However, there were more Ponlops than we think and one was Uma Ponlop. The other two fairly known were, Chabcha Ponlop and Toebi Ponlop. There are accounts of several more.

For now, let me highlight a bit about Uma Ponlop and some of his legacies. Before that, first we locate where Uma is. It is situated some 45 KM south of Wangdue under Dakar Gewog. To be exact, from Baychu on Wangdue-Tsirang highway, it is 11 KMs uphill. There are two chiwogs, Um Khatoe and Um Khamey.

During the time of conflict between the Zhabdrung and Lam Kha-Nga, sometime in 1634, his chef and confidant Bjatang Pekar Tashi played a pivotal role in the defeat of the Five Lams. Pekar Tashi’s final assignment was to strategically take over Uma Dzong, a stronghold of Gelugpa Lam Nyenying. Zhabdrung Rinpoche appointed Pekar Tashi as the first Ponlop of Uma and deployed him and his men there. At that point in time, Lam Nyeying Jetsuen Drung was in charge of the local administration. Interestingly, without a skirmish, Lam Nyeying and his men conceded defeat. They fled to Tibet.

While Gelugpas had left, the sacred statue of tutelary deity, Palden Matsho Gyelmo, was left behind. Comprehending its spiritual importance, Ponlop Pekar Tashi and the folks under his jurisdiction continued to worship and offer soelkha to the deity as usual. She is still worshipped to this day by the folks there. Locals call her by the name, Aum Matshom.

Another account establishes Bjatang Pekar Tashi as the first Ponlop of Bhutan. Going by the chronology, my findings concur with it. In brief, Chogyal Minjur Tenpa was enthroned the first Trongsa Ponlop in 1647, Paro Ponlop Tenzin Drukda in 1649 ?? and Daga Ponlop Tenpa Thinley in 1651. Whereas, Bjatang Pekar became the first Uma Ponlop during the peak of conflict, which was in 1634.

The one you see in the picture below is not the actual Dzong but houses the sacred statue of Pelden Matsho Gyelmo. The ruins of the actual Dzong is visible nearby this small structure.

Source: Ven. Zhung Geytsho Lopen Kunga, Punakha.

Picture courtesy: Portrait of Bjatang Pekar Tashi by the Culture Officer, Wangdue.