Sonam Topgay Dorji

Sir Raja Sonam Topgay Dorji CIE (Dzongkha: སྟོབས་རྒྱས་རྡོ་རྗེ་; Wylie transliteration: Stobs-rgyas Rdo-rje; 1896–1953), also called Tobgay, was a member of the Dorji family and Bhutanese politician who served between 1917 and 1952 in the Royal Government under the First and Second Kings of Bhutan. During this period, Topgay Dorji officially held the posts of Gongzim (Chief Minister), Deb Zimpon (Chief Secretary), and Trade Agent to the Government of Bhutan. As such, Topgay Dorji was responsible for fostering Anglo-Bhutanese relations, and later, Bhutan–India relations. Topgay's ties with the west and modernist political factions contributed significantly to the modern political landscape and modernization of Bhutan.

Topgay Dorji inherited his positions from his father, Kazi Ugyen Dorji, who was instrumental in advising Ugyen Wangchuck before and after he became the First King of Bhutan. Topgay Dorji lived, worked, and died at Bhutan House, the Dorji's estate in Kalimpong, India, the traditional administrative center of southern Bhutan.[1][2][3]

  1. ^ Dhakal, D. N. S.; Strawn, Christopher (1994). Bhutan: a movement in exile. Nirala. Vol. 42. Nirala Publications. ISBN 81-85693-41-2. Retrieved 2011-08-12.
  2. ^ Dorji, Khandu-Om (2002). "A Brief History of Bhutan House in Kalimpong" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-05. Retrieved 2011-08-12.
  3. ^ "History of Swiss Assistance". Helvetas – Bhutan. 2010-12-13. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-08-12.