Dating The Death Of Pemi Tshewang Tashi

Upon his retirement from the post of Trongsa Poenlop in 1867, Jigme Namgyel put his elder brother Doongkar Gyeltshen on the seat as the new 18th Trongsa Poenlop - with the tacit understanding that after three years, the post would be surrendered to Jakar Poenlop Pema Tenzin - elder brother of his wife - Pema Choeki.

When the time came, Doongkar Gyaltshen reneged on the agreement and refused to surrender the seat - resulting in a long-drawn conflict between the two. It went on for years. Finally, it appears that in 1879, matters came to a head and Jakar Poenlop Pema Tenzin made a final push to claim what was rightfully his. Doongkar Gyaltshen sought the help of Wangzop Angdruk Nyim who dispatched his army headed by his most trusted Zimpoen - Pemi Tshewang Tashi - to fight alongside the forces of Trongsa Poenlop.

Image of Pemi Tshewang Tashi conceived by iBEST

Unfortunately, the combined forces of Trongsa Poenlop and Wangzop Angdruk Nyim was no match against the superior numbers of Jakar Poenlop Pema Tenzin’s forces - they were completely routed.

To escape the shame of capture by enemy forces, Pemi Tshewang Tashi choose to end his life by jumping off the Thomangdrak cliff – located across the ravine facing Trongsa Dzong.

This is irrefutable proof that Pemi Tshewang died in the year 1879.

The same year, the victorious Jakar Poenlop Pema Tenzin finally ascended the much-coveted seat of Trongsa Poenlop. But he did not seat there for long. In 1882 - just three years later he was murdered - in retaliation for his failure to honor a promise that he had made to one of his staunch supporters.

NOTE AA:  Most writers designate Pema Tenzin as Jakar Dzongpoen. However, that cannot be right. The reasons are:

1. the central government in Punakha had to intervene to negotiate a settlement between the warring Jakar Dzongpoen Tsundru Gyaltshen and Trongsa Poenlop Jigme Namgyel - consequent upon Jigme Namgyel refusing to surrender the post of Trongsa Poenlop. Within the terms of the truce - the post of the seat holder of Jakar Dzong was elevated to that of a Poenlop as of 1857. Thus, in my opinion, Pema Tenzin would have been designated as a Poenlop and not a Dzongpoen – particularly considering that he was Desi Jigme Namgyal’s brother-in-law.
2. Even before he was appointed Jakar Poenlop, I am told that he was addressed as Kushu Pema Tenzin. In my knowledge, the only other person who is referred to as Kushu is: His Royal Highness Prince Namgyel Wangchuk the reigning Paro Poenlop.

NOTE BB: The reason why this article is listed under "History of Money" is explained in my article posted earlier to this one.

Portion of the Family Tree of Wangchuck Dynasty where Pema Tenzin is clearly designated as Poenlop. Extracted from:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wangchuck_dynasty#/media/File:Royal_Genealogy.jpg