The Chim were a powerful clan during the time of the Yarlung dynasty. In pre-imperial times, there were said to be 12 kingdoms or principalities. The Chim, known also as 'chims, controlled one of these principalities, then called Chimyul or the land of the Chims and present-day Chim in Dranang dzong, TAR. King Trisong Detsen took a consort from the Chim clan. King Tride Songtsen's queen Lekmotsen (legs mo btsan) was also from the Chim clan, and the king also had a number of Chim zhang ministers (the word zhang standing for the queen's uncles) holding the highest rank in court.