The monk ruler, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651), a Tibetan native, is considered as the founder of modern Bhutan state. He was the first ruler of Bhutan. He ruled for 35 years. His successors ruled the country till 1907.

Shabdrung established himself as the country's supreme leader. He ruled over Bhutan for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1651 A.D. During his reign of 35 years, he built dzongs (fortress), monasteries, and religious institutions. He established the Drukpa Kargyupa school of Tantric Mahayana Buddhism in Bhutan. His reign was marked by the introduction of the unique dual system of governance called the Chhoesid. This new system was characterized by the sharing of power and authority between the Deb Raja or the Desi who was the head of secular affairs and the Dharma Raja or the spiritual head, called as Je Khempo .

He also codified laws for the country. The laws were based on medieval theocratic principles called the Tsa-Yig. The successive 'Dharma Rajas' were the incarnations of the Shabdrung whereas the post of the Deb Raja was like that of the Prime Minister. In course of time, the Dharma Rajas preferring religious matters withdrew themselves into seclusion while the 'Deb Rajas' consolidated their authority exercising sole responsibility over the secular affairs.

After the death of Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal, the following became the Shabdrungs or Dharma Raja of Bhutan.

1698 - 1712 AD Kunga Gyaltshen b. 1689 - d. 1713
1712 - 1729 Phyogla Namgyal b. 1708 - d. 1736
1730 - 1735 Jigme Norbu b. 1717 - d. 1735
1735 - 1738 Mipham Wangpo b. 1709 - d. 1738
1738 - 1761 Jigme Dragpa I b. 1724 - d. 1761
1762 - 1788 Choeki Gyaltshen b. 1762 - d. 1788
1791 - 1830 Jigme Dragpa II b. 1791 - d. 1830
1831 - 1861 Jigme Norbu b. 1831 - d. 1861
1862 - 1904 Jigme Chogyal b. 1862 - d. 1904
1905 - 1931 Jigme Dorji b. 1905 - d. 1931
-2003 Jigme Nawang Namgyal b. - -d. 2003

He reincarnation of Shabdrung Jigme Nawang Namgyal, who was living in exile in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, died on April 5, 2003.