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Chubjakha Dzong ruin

Name:	Chubjakha Dzong ruin
Identity:	Ruins
Level:	Listed Archaeological Site
Category:	Archaeological Site
Founder:	Originally the religious seat of Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam (14th Century); later expanded and converted into a dzong by the descendants of Drung-Drung Rinpoche Gyalchok.
Constructed(Year\|Century):	0 \| 14
No. of Floor	5floor
Main Wall	Stone masonry of superior quality
Location:	Hungrel, Paro
Current Use:	Ruins
Ownership:	Government
Coodinates:	E 194457.730, N 3034809.540.

Background History

Chubjakha Dzong is a significant archaeological site that provides insight into Bhutanese architecture before the era of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal:

Origins:It was originally known as Chewekha ("the area with a vast open sky") and served as the religious seat (Samtenling) for the master Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam.

Evolution into a Fortress:After a fire destroyed the original temple, the descendants of Drung-Drung Rinpoche Gyalchok converted the site into a dzong to serve defensive and political functions during periods of regional warfare.

Defensive Architecture:The layout is unique for its time, featuring two manmade defensive ditches, triangular arrow slits for defense and ventilation, and a sequence of watchtowers that protected a path to a water cistern tower, ensuring water security during sieges.

Historical Significance:As a pre-Zhabdrung dzong, it highlights a period when such structures primarily housed regional chieftains and served as defensive hubs before eventually evolving into the administrative and religious centers seen today. It is noted for its exceptional stone masonry which has allowed much of the structure to remain standing for centuries without a roof.