Samdrup Jongkhar – early home of the Sharchops in Bhutan's southeast
Samdrup Jongkhar in Bhutan's southeast was first settled by the Sharchops, whose presence here predates that of later Lhotshampa settlers. This history is still reflected in the district's languages: Tshangla, or Sharchopkha, dominates in the north and west, while Lhotsam is spoken in the east. The district covers about 1,878 square kilometres and is organised into two sub-districts, Jomotsangkha and Samdrupcholing, and eleven gewogs. Its location in the southern foothills has long made it a place where different communities and traditions meet. Today Samdrup Jongkhar is one of Bhutan's twenty dzongkhags. Do you have stories, customs or family memories from Samdrup Jongkhar? Share them here with the community and help preserve local history!