About Bhutan's early history is almost nothing known. Written history starts in the 9th century when turmoil in Tibet forces many monks to flee to Bhutan. In Bhutan an own form buddhism develops. State and religion are closely related. Ngawama Namgyal is the father of statehood in 1616. He creates an absolute and theocratic state under the name Bhutan. After his death central power erodes. It lasts until 1885, the moment that Ugyen Wangchuck consolidates power and cultivates closer ties with the British in India. He is elected as the hereditary ruler of Bhutan in 1907, the state becomes the Kingdom of Bhutan. Since 1910 Bhutan is a British protectorate. When India becomes independent in 1947, it takes over the protectorate. India guides the foreign policy of Bhutan. Under king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Bhutan emerges from its isolation. The country gets a parially elected parliament and it joins the United Nations in 1971. That can be considered the date of independence. In 1972 he is succeeded by Jigme Singye Wanchuck.