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Bhutanese Dzongs have an unusual architectural
magnificence about them. Architectural grandeur is
expressed in height and massiveness of a Dzong. Most
of the Dzongs are gigantic in structure, and rise
high in a high pastoral landscape as impregnable set
in a pattern of architectural design distinctively
Bhutanese. Both in form and design, the concept of
Dzong architecture is one of the most elegant and
harmonious fortress in the world. The earlier Dzong
constructed by various saints, who came to Bhutan
soon became archaic and incommodious for the
temporal and religious requirement. Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal who gave to the Dzong system a
larger diamension, and a new ideology. He built
almost all the principle Dzongs in Bhutan---Simtokha,
Trongsa, Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Gasa,
Tashichhodzong, and the Rinpung Dzong at Paro. The
basic concept of building these massive strongholds
was primarilya bulwark or a chain of defensive
fastness to check Tibetian inroad into Bhutan.
Mostly located on a mountain spur, a Bhutanese Dzong
usually overlooks and commands the valley. The
entrance to the Dzong, usually by the side of the
river, is over a bridge and single gateway lined
with iron plate. As defence fortress, a Dzong's
architectural design tends to make it not only
impregnable and inaccessible, but also quite
harmonious with the landscape.
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