Britain sends a peace mission to Bhutan…

Britain sends a peace mission to Bhutan in early 1864, in the wake of the recent conclusion of a civil war there.

The dzongpon of Punakha—who had emerged victorious—hads broken with the central government and set up a rival druk desi while the legitimate druk desi seeks the protection of the ponlop of Paro and is later deposed.

The British mission deals alternately with the rival ponlop of Paro and the ponlop of Tongsa (the latter acts on behalf of the druk desi), but Bhutan rejects the peace and friendship treaty it offers.

Britain declares war in November 1864.

Bhutan has no regular army, and what forces exist aere composed of dzong guards armed with matchlocks, bows and arrows, swords, knives, and catapults.

Some of these dzong guards, carrying shields and wearing chainmail armor, engage the well-equipped British forces.