Prior to the establishment of hereditary monarch in Bhutan, Samtse was divided into two administrative regions, which were eastern and western. The present Norbugang (Chengmari), Ugyentse(Nainital), Yoeseltse(Ghumaunay), Tashicholing(Sipsu), Tendruk, Norgaygang(Bara), Namgaycholing(Lahireni) and Pemaling(Biru) gewogs constituted the western region and were under the control of Gongzin Sonam Tobgay Dorji, the then Raja Sab of Kalimpong. The eastern region comprised of present Samtse, Tading, Pagli gewogs and four gewogs of Dorokha Drungkhag. These were under the administrative control of Dewan and Kazi (Landlords) who were under the direct control of the Paro penlop. The famous Saurini Kothi, which has 52 doors, was used as the summer residence as well as offices of Dewan and Kazi while Dorpani was used as winter residence as well as offices.
During the rule of Dewan and Kazi, every two villages had one Mandal (gup) who were responsible for the collection of rural taxes and other revenues both in cash and kind. Mandals were responsible for enforcement of laws, regulations and solving local disputes. However, issues such as civil as well as criminal cases were directed to Dewan and Kazi, who in turn forwarded to Paro Penlop.
Raja Sab Gongzin Sonam Tobgay Dorji appointed Babu Tshewang Dorji as the first District Commissioner of Samtse in 1950s and Samtse was established as the headquarter of 5 sub-divisional offices viz. Phuntsholing, Kalikhola, Dorokha, Tashicholing and Norbugang.
During 1970s Samtse was created as the Dzongkhag Headquarters and the present administrative unit was established.
SOME OF THE TOP ATTRACTIONS ARE:
SHIVALAYA MANDIR
is being reconstructed upon the Command of His Majesty the King as a grant from His Majesty to the people of Samtse to observe the Royal Marriage.
The Mandir, which has been built out of intricately, sculptured sandstone, and it built features marble statues of Lord Shiva and other deities around a sacred site where a small Mandir was previously held and completed in the year 2015, corresponding with the 60th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo (11 November 2015).
SIDHOK KHORLO CHORTEN
is devoted to the 60th Birth Anniversary of the fourth Druk Gyalpo’s peace, longevity,happiness to the country and Sidhok khorlo stupa can be located at the crossroad next to the Samtse Dzong.The 30 feet tall chorten was built from the funds contributed by civil servants, local leaders, the Business Community, and the Public of Samtse to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the 4th King of Bhutan.