Ugyen Dorji

Ugyen Dorji (Dzongkha: ཨོ་རྒྱན་རྡོ་རྗེ་, Wylie: o rgyan rdo rje, 1855–1916) was a member of the elite Dorji family and an influential Bhutanese politician. He served as the closest adviser to Ugyen Wangchuck, the hereditary 12th Penlop of Trongsa and later 1st Druk Gyalpo. Ugyen Dorji was instrumental in advising the Penlop to aid the British Empire in its expedition to Tibet in 1904 and fostering friendly relations with the British after the Bhutan War (1864–1865). Operating from Bhutan House in Kalimpong, India, Ugyen Dorji used his position to open Bhutan to the outside world, establish Bhutan's foreign relations, and operate a lucrative trading outlet.

He was a son of Dasho Sherpa Puchung, Dzongpon, and his wife, Tsherim, a lady from the Tsento in Paro.

His sister was Ayi Thubten Wangmo.

Ugyen Dorji's son Sonam Topgay Dorji was born in 1896. His descendants maintained and developed the political power of Ugyen Dorji, marrying into the royal House of Wangchuck.

Ugyen Dorji served as Kazi from 1902 to 1907 to Ugyen Wangchuck the 12th Penlop of Trongsa, and then simultaneously as Penlop (Governor) of Haa, Gongzim (Chief Minister), and Deb Zimpon (Chief Secretary) (1907–1916) under the Royal Government as during its period of consolidation. Ugyen Dorji garnered increasing power through his connections to the successful House of Wangchuck and the British Empire.Kazi Dorji had advised the future First King to mediate between the British and Tibet, and later to allow the large-scale induction of Nepalis into Bhutan, establishing friendly ties with British India.

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