Tongdruk
Tongdruk is a name most often associated with a legendary Tibetan-Bhutanese figure traditionally known as the Iron Bridge King. In Tibetan and Bhutanese folklore, Tongdruk Gyelpo is credited with designing and constructing a large number of iron chain suspension bridges across the region, enabling trade, pilgrimage, and cross-river movement. The epithet Tongdruk Gyelpo is commonly translated in English sources as “Iron Bridge King,” though exact wording and dating vary among traditions.
Historical basis and dating are uncertain. In many accounts, Tongdruk is placed in the 14th to 15th
Legacy and influence. The bridge-building legacy attributed to Tongdruk Gyalpo contributed to the development of early