Bhutia History

Article 371 (F)

Dzumsa System in Sikkim

History of Sikkim

The earliest semblance of human inhabitants in Sikkim dates back to Neolithic period i.e. 8500 B.C.  The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) exhumed samples in the different areas of the east district in 2001 which direct towards early human settlement. Dr. PK Mishra in his book Archaeological Survey of Sikkim mentions that, Neolithic sites are marked at Majhitar on the bank of river Teesta, Upper Samdur, Namcheybong, Aho Busty, Adampool, Ranka, Phaungma and many other places of East Sikkim. The unruffled Neolithic tools are categorised and delineated as axes, celt and harvesters composed of various type of stones such as Basalt, Dolerite and Schist which were made approximately during 8500 to 10,000 B.C. The findings intimately related such tools to the Hoabihian Culture of the South East Asia and South China indicating towards most primitive exodus.

The earliest European reference of Sikkim has been made by Horace Della Penna, he mentions the Kingdom of Bregion or Bramashon (i.e. Sikkim) is bounded in the north by the province of Tzang, to the south by Mon Altibari and Brukpa (Bhutan) or Laltopivals, to the east and the south by Lhoba, to the east by Kako and Kombo and to the west by Maronga and Nepal and  is supplemented by Their Highness Maharaja Thutob Namgyal and Maharani Yeshay Dolma’s chronicle Denzong ke rab or the History of Sikkim in 1908, that the country of Sikkim called hBras-ma Ijongs (Bramashon) has been mentioned hundreds of times in eulogistic style by Guru Padma Sambhava in his writings.

For the reconstruction of the early history of Sikkim only a few sources are available in the form of myths and legends, folk-lore, traditions and the oral sources. These sources are insufficient to fill the gap of historical evolution of Sikkim from the ancient to modern period. We have to depend on theBuddhist sacred texts, historical account of Sikkim by various European travellers, Tibetan accounts and the Nepalese sources.

Mipon Rab or the leader of men (Rab means ‘to excel’, ‘to surpass’) the bravest of the three sons of Khye-Bumsa, succeeded to the chief ship on his father’s death. He also married a lady from the Sakya hierarch’s family, named Gurumo. He had four sons and who were called Tong-du-ru-zi, meaning the four clans of a thousand each, from who the four principal clans of Sikkim, ‘Tongdurushe’ are said to have descended. These four Tong-du-ru-zi brothers viz: Sangpdar, Tsechudar, Nima Gyalpo, and Guru Tashi, were all settled in Gangtok. Of these four brothers’ family Guru Tashi’s family became pre-eminent and inherited the princely dignity and name. He became the first ruler of Sikkim and paved the way for a regular Monarchy.The Gazetteer of Sikkim 1894, sketch the origin of the Namgyal dynasty to the MinYak House of Tibet, as the descendants of Khri-srong-Ideu-b Tsan who was the most illustrious of all the rulers of Tibet. They had been ruling over the Chumbi valley and the Tista valley for at least three centuries prior to the establishment of their dynasty in Sikkim. It is further recorded that the emigrant MinYak chief was prophesied to go towards Sikkim where his descendants would rule. Impelled by the divine command; he started forth from his kingdom with his sons and passed through Sakya, to pay his homage to the hierarchs there. At Sakya, the eldest son of the emigrant chief helped in the construction of a monastery, after which he obtained the name Gyad-hBum-bSar (Khye-Bumsa) equaling ten thousand men, in strength. Khye-Bumsa married the daughter of the Sakya hierarch and dwelt in the nearby Chumbi valley for some time which was to become the nucleus of the later kingdom of Sikkim. Shortly after this he left Sakya and came down towards Sikkim where he came in contact with the Lepchas of Sikkim. A deep friendship grew between Khye-Bumsa and Thekong-Tek, the Lepcha chief, who blessed Khye-Bumsa with the gift of children. Swearing eternal amity an everlasting bond was cemented by a ceremony at Karbi (kabi) near Gangtok, where nine stones were erected to mark the place where they had held the covenant. Several animals, both domestic and wild were sacrificed and all the local deities invoked to bear witness to this solemn contract of friendship, binding the Lepchas and the Bhutias in an inseparable bond. They sat together on the raw hides of the animals, knotted the entrails around them, and put their feet together in a vessel filled with blood, swearing the blood brotherhood to each other.

Three Lamas, Lha-tsun Namkha Jigme or Lhatsun Chenpo, Kathog Rikzin Kuntu Chenpo and Ngadak Sempa Rikzin Phuntsog Chenpo came from Tibet. They entered Sikkim from different directions and met at Norbugang, which was then called by the Lepchas as ‘Yuksam’, meaning the three superior ones or literally meaning ‘the three lamas. Having assembled there, they sent for a search party to find for a person named Phuntsog who resided in Gangtok. After several adventures, the search party found Phuntsog in Gangtok in East Sikkim.  They presented to him the invitation from the Lamas who had assembled at Yuksam which was accepted by Phuntsog. So, he started forth with his entire retinue of followers, officers and household establishment. After Phuntsog arrived at Yuksam, the learned Lamas performed rites and ceremonies as prescribed in the installation of a royal dynasty, in the most impressive style. He was given the power, conferring rites of the eight auspicious objects and the eight auspicious or royal emblems and was also accorded with Lhatsun Chempo’s surname Namgyal. Phuntsog Namgyal was thus installed as the Chogyal or the Dharma Raja of Sikkim and Yuksam was established as his capital. The Lamas came with a purpose to propagate Buddhism and establish a papacy in Sikkim which they did by instituting a monarchy as the protector of its faith.

The Modern History of Sikkim begins with the year 1642 with the consecration of the first prescribed Chogyal who initiated the process of state formation. The region of Bramashon or Sikkim experienced a monarchical setup like any other post medieval society which had its roots in feudalism. With the establishment of a defined geographical boundary, administrative setup and military institution the Chogyal now reined as a sovereign authority with a strapping support from the Tibet.

Phuntsog Namgyal (1604-1670 AD.)

Phuntsog Namgyal, the great grandson Jowo Nangpo, was the son of Guru Tashi, He was born in the year 1604 that is, the Shing-dug (wood Dragon) year of the 10th century of Tibetan era. He was coronated as the first Chos-rGyal/Chogyal (Dharma Raja, righteous king) of Sikkim in Yuksom in the Chu- Ta (water horse) year corresponding to1642.The coronation implicated the bestowing of spiritual and temporal powers as per the direction of three learned lamas. Just after the installation, the first monastery was built by Lha-tsun Chempo, in Dubdi (located at West Sikkim) as a royal chapel. Thereafter, he initiated the construction of the Sangachoeling and later the Pemayangtse Monastery. The Lamas also fixed upon Tashiding as being the central key of Sikkim, and agreed it to be a sacred spot.

Great task lay before Phuntsog Namgyal, the Chogyal of this feral land to institute a centralized administrative structure in Sikkim. He understood that the land he sought to rule over was alienated between the Lepcha, the Limboo and the Mangar chieftains who still had qualms in accepting his suzerainty. He was able to do so some with diplomacy and some through military strength with the help of the Tibetan forces. The Chogyal put his magnificent efforts and searched an effective device to appoint the Lepchas as Dzongpens (Governors or the administrators) in the total of Twelve Dzongs or district, but the Limboos and Mangars were unable to secure this office. The boundaries of the new kingdoms were also fixed; they were Dibdala in the North, Shingsa Dag-pay, Walung, Yangmag, Kangchen Yarlung and Timar Chorten in the West down along the Arun and Dud Kosi river, down to the Maha Lodi Nuxalbari, Titalia in the South, Tagong la on the East and Tang la in the North, but frequent invasion and wars reduced its boundaries to its present limits.

 

To win the assurance of the Tribes, a convention of the tribal leaders were called where Phuntsog Namgyal announced that the Sikkimese Bhutias (the victorious Lhopos), the Membas or the Monpas (the Lepchas), and the Tsongs (the Yakthumbas or the Limboos and the Mangars) were of one family. The king (the Lhopo) should be considered the father, the Lepchas (the Membas or Monpas) the mother, and the Limboos and the Mangar together as (Tsongs) the sons of the family, forming a council called ‘Lho-Men-Tsong sum’. The treaty was signed by 24 men out of which, 8 were Bhutia ministers, 12 were Tsong leaders and 4 were the Lepcha leaders. Thus, integrating the entire land resources in their possession by the Bhutias of (Chumbi Valley of present Tibet-China), the Lepchas of (present Sikkim, Hah Chu and Ammo- Chu valleys of Bhutan, Illam of Nepal) and the Tsongs of (west Sikkim and Limbuwana). With the treaty of “Lho-Men-Tsong-Sum” the first Chogyal Phuntsog Namgyal of Sikkim established his kingdom in 1642, with Yuksom as his capital.

Tensung Namgyal (1644-1700 AD).

Tensung Namgyal succeeded his father and ascended the Gaddi (throne) in the Cha- Khyi (Iron Dog year) 1670 at age of 26 years and became the second ruler of Sikkim. It was Tensung Namgyal who shifted the capital from Yuksom to Rabdentse in 1670. Tensung Namgyal married three times: first lady Nambi Ongmu from Bhutan who gave birth to Pendi Wangmo, second lady Deba Zamsarpa from Tibet, in the north west of Sikkim and the third lady Thungwamukma who was a daughter of Yo-Yo Hang or Yongya Hang of the Limbuwan country. The third wife of Tensung Namgyal Thungwamukma coined the word ‘Sukhim’ meaning new house which later is the corruption of the word became ‘Sikkim’.

The inter-tribal conflicts, raids and wars preoccupied Tensung Namgyals’ reign. Tensung Namgyals’ most important contribution was the shifting of the capital from Yuksam to Rabdentse near Geyzing during his kingship. Tensung was a diplomat; the Lepcha Chiefs were convinced to align themselves with the Bhutia rulers and the Limboos by marital alliances and religious conversion; He reduced the number of councilors from 12 to 8. The Sangachoeling monastery was completed during his time; he died in 1700 and was succeeded by Chagdor Namgyal the son of the second wife of Tensung Namgyal.

The third Chogyal Chagdor Namgyal was born in Me-Tag (Fire tiger year) corresponding to1686 and succeeded his father at the tender age of 14 in the Cha – Drug (Iron Dragon year) analogous to 1700 as per the Gregorian calender. His half-sister Pendi Wangmo contested for the accession to the throne. Pendi Wango being a Bhutanese from her maternal side conspired with the then Deb Raja of Bhutan, bZhi-dar who sent Tabar Ngawang Thinley and Don Phenley with the Bhutanese forces to assassinate the boy king. Yug- thing Tishey a loyal minister and few other men like Dagkar Changzod Karma Dargey and his brother and a Tashang Lama named Agay Popding took off young Chagdor Namgyal and saved him. Compelled in the face of danger Chagdor was carried off by the Ellam road, via Wallung (area of the Tsongs) into Tibet and took refuge in Tibet seeking political asylum.

Chagdor Namgyal during his days in asylum learnt Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan literature and became the official astrologer to the VIth Dalai Lama in Lhasa. Chagdor Namgyal married a lady of U and another princess of the Lowo Raja. On the intervention of Tibet, the Bhutanese agreed to withdraw from Sikkim proper. After the death of the Dalai Lama, Chagdor Namgyal returned to Sikkim along with the representative of the Tibetan Government, Lama Jigme Pao in 1707. He was restored the lost kingdom but the Bhutanese retained their control over Damsong, Daling, Jongsda and all the places in between the east Teesta and Tagong–la hill i.e. the present Rhenock and Kalimpong subdivision of the Darjeeling District.

Meanwhile, the Bhutanese who had occupied the Rabdentse palace for eight years had steadily rebuilt the palace itself and had constructed walls. They had also added a new building which was connected by a covered secret pathway with the palace. The Bhutanese proceeded towards Ghar and Jongu, where they also built Namgyal Thonpoi and Wangdu Phodong Jong near Pakyong. They also built a monastery near Pemayangtse called Paro-gon, as well as another Jong on the top of the Tagtse ridge near Gangtok called Tagste Jong. They also constructed flight of road of stone steps from Rangeet up to Rabdentse.

On the arrival of the Chogyal, Rabdentse was reoccupied which was followed by the expulsion of the remaining Bhutanese forces who still loitered in Sikkim. Still some Bhutanese leaders like Magpon Agyal and Rups invaded Sikkim and took formal possession of the land lying between Teesta and Tagong-la after treacherously assassinating the Lepcha chieftain Shal-ngo Achhok at Amboik near Daling Fort.

The Chogyal on the completion of his task devoted himself to the cause of religion and learning. On the advice of Lama Jigme Pao, he founded the present Pemayangtse Monastery and richly endowed it. He wrote a book on monastic discipline called Changs-Yig, introduced the Rongcham which is traditionally still performed at the Kagyed Ceremony before the Lossong festival. The conspiracy of his half- sister Pendi Wangmo was still on the fire. Chagdor was killed in a conspiracy during his visit to Ralong hot spring where a Tibetan doctor severed his vein in 1717. On the investigation of the regicide, Pedi Wangmo was found guilty and was also strangled to death just after the incident at Samdruptse in Namchi (South Sikkim). The king Chagdor Namgyal was succeeded by his son Gyurmed Namgyal.

Chogyal Gyurmed Namgyal was born in the Me-Phag (Fire Hog) year of the 12th century, 1707 and was the son of Rani Lho-Gyalmo who was married from the province of U in Tibet by Chagdor Namgyal. He ascended the throne in the Me-Ja year of the 12th century corresponding to 1717. He was an eccentric person and ruled Sikkim for 17 years. He married a lady Mingyur Paldon from Mingdoling Tibet in 1721.Gyurmed occupied himself mostly with religious activities; Gyurmed Namgyal founded a monastery in the Dechen Ling palace to performe Ka-gyat ceremonies. He was inclined to the Lepchas and was very much influenced by five Lepcha priests.

The reign of Gyurmed Namgyal, saw constant Bhutanese invasions in the frontiers since his accession. To repel the Bhutanese King Gyurmed sent Shal-ngo Changzod (Minister) and Nyerchen Bagyal to the border to deal with the issue. Shal –ngo A-dZin for his service was appointed as Dzongpen (Governor) of a place called Sodah in the plain frontier. On brewing of boundary issue between Bhutan and Sikkim, the Tibetan Government deputed Tsang Depon (Tibetan Officer) named Chang-lo- Chen who was successful in an amicable settlement.

During his reign, in 1725, a Lepcha chief named Tasso Bidur, of the Chyakhung estate connived against the king with a Magar chief and tried to stop the revenue of the then Siliguri district. He collected many Lepcha and Mangar soldiers to revolt against the king, but he was timely checked and the conspiracy thwarted at a place called Garat below Badamtam of the present Darjeeling District.

Gyurmed being an unconventional person disguised himself as Fakir (mendicant) and went to Tibet for pilgrimage. When he was in Tibet, the 9th Gyalwa Karmapa recognized him and treated him well. By this time, the Rani Mingyur Paldon had left Sikkim under the compulsion for being deserted. Gyurmed Namgyal returned to Sikkim but did not want to remarry. During his last days Sikkim was in a state of uneasiness, the Chogyal being issueless was asked in his death bed in 1734, to nominate his heir. He told them that a nun of Sangachoelling monastery of Takchungdar family was carrying his child and that they should find her out. The nun gave birth to a son and was named as Namgyal Phuntsog who as desired by the Chogyal put to the royal Gaddi (throne).

Namgyal Phuntsog born in Chu-Lang (Water Bull) year of the 12th century corresponding to 1733 was installed as the new ruler of Sikkim in 1734. Trouble started soon after his accession, when Changzod (Minister) Tamding who was the royal treasurer and a confidant of the previous Chogyal, refused to acknowledge the legitimacy and self-styled himself as the Gyalpo (King).

At this juncture the case of the minor king was taken up by the Lepchas who backed the baby and fought Gyalpo Tamding under the leadership of Changzod Karwang. The Lepcha minister Changzod Karwang also raised the Lepcha soldiers who willingly joined him for the action against Gyalpo Tamding. He built a small fort at Singchel called Fara Dee in Darjeeling and secured the infant king, Tamding was defeated and he fled to Tibet. The Tibetan Government in compliance with request from Sikkim deputed Rabden Sharpa as a Kutshab (regent) until the ruler came of age.

Rabden’s regency saw the restoration of administration; he built Jongs in Karmi and Mangsher. To every person who came to pay him respect he gave away Bakshis (incentive) of a plateful of salt, thus collecting a crude census of the inhabitants. At Mangsher the Regent convened a vast assembly and made a proclamation called as the Mangsher Duma (The Mangsher convention) where he defined the function and the responsibility of the Government and its constituent bodies. Revenue system at a rudimentary level was initiated which were: (i) Bah-p (land tax) (ii) Zo-lung (forest tax) (iii) Tshong-skyed (customs or income tax), thus fixing a regular source of income for the government.

On the issue of the installation ceremony of the Mangar chief, the regent Rabden Sharpa failed to comply with the invitation which offended the Mangar chief. This act by the Regent resulted in the Manger alliance with the Bhutanese and thus the Manger allegiance was lost for a while. This relation further deteriorated in the subsequent years and in 1752, a Tsong uprising took place but was timely checked by tactful diplomacy. The Limboo Chiefs were authorized to rule their districts under the title of ‘Subba’ with all the amenities of enjoying their tribal rights in social and religious functions. This was initiated by beating the royal band called Negara (Perlge or kettle drum), by order of the king of Sikkim from Yarsa Palace, in the Sa-Luk (Earth Sheep) year.

After the successful installation of Namgyal Phuntsog upon the Gaddi of Sikkim, Rabden returned to Tibet. Namgyal Phuntsog married the daughter of the eldest son of Rabden Sherpa named Wangyal. But she died of cholera without any issue. He then married Khe-de-phug of Tibet the daughter of Gerpa Changzod Mingyur, but had no male issue from her. Finally, after the oracle of the Sakya Heirarch, Deba Zamsarpa, Khe-de-phug gave birth to a son who was named as Tenzing Namgyal. Namgyal Phuntsog died in 1780.

In 1770 the Bhutanese forces under the leadership of Deb Zhidar invaded Sikkim and took possession of areas in the eastern part of Teesta River. But the enemies were subdued without much loss and agreement was made at Pob-chu in Rhenock to finalize the boundary line between the two countries. The Rhenock (black hill) spur which was annexed by Bhutan from Sikkim in 1706 was once again retrieved.

On the western flank the Gurkhas under the headship of Prithvinarayan Shah was active in consolidation and unification of the numerous petty principalities scattered all over Nepal. It was only after the death of Prithivinarayan Shah that Gurkha invasion occurred in different stages. From the beginning of the Shing-Ta (Wood Tiger) year, 1774 the Sikkimese and the Gurkhas maintained a continual fight on the banks of Arun River for several years. In the Gurkha incursion of 1775, Changzod Karwangs’ son Changzod Chothup alias Athingpoi, alias Satrajeet greatly distinguished himself. The Lepcha leader obtained the name Satrajeet because of his seventeen successful opposition and heroic defense against the Gurkhas. Satrajeet along with his comrade Deba Takarpo alias Sang Rinzin successfully drove back the Gurkhas from Illam and penetrated as far as Chainpur. Once again on Tibetan mediation a treaty was concluded in the Shing-Lug (Wood Sheep) year, 1775 at Walung. The Treaty fixed the boundary between Sikkim and Nepal at the Sango- Chu, in the higher hills, Shangdi Jong, Malliayan and the Lha -Chu, a western tributary of the Mechi River. Any breach on the above Treaty would entail the party who broke it the forfeiture of an indemnity fine of hundred dharnis (250 seers) of gold. It also settled all outstanding issues relating to trade and commerce between Sikkim and Nepal.

But soon the treaty was violated by Nepal; the Gurkhas continued attacking through Tob-Jong and through Illam. In the Sa- Tel (Earth Monkey) year, 1778 Gurkha hostilities renewed.

Tenzing Namgyal succeeded his father in 1780 as the 6th ruler of Sikkim. He married one of the daughters of Changzod Karwang who was known as Anyo Gyal-Yum. He had to continue the struggle of the old cross- border infiltration from Nepal and Bhutan.

 In 1780, the Sikkimese regrouped into two forces viz. one of Bhutias and another of Lepchas to fight against the Gurkhas, they were able to achieve many victories and capture eight Dzongs. Again in 1788, the Gurkhas rose up in the leadership of Jor Singh and reoccupied the southern Sikkim, a two-pronged attack on Sikkim was led under Purna Alley, a Mangar commander of the Gurkha force which advanced from Illam after crossing the Chiwa bhanjyang (Pass) proceeding towards Reling and Karmi (now in Darjeeling) and Chakung. Another force moved from Bijapur under the command of Johar Singh who was the son of a Gurkha commander Kehar Singh Basnet. Johar Singh advanced through the Singalila crossed the Kulhait, an affluent of the Great Rangit on the north of Darjeeling and proceeded on its bank making a surprise attack on Rabdentse and capturing it. Chogyal Tenzing Namgyal fled to Kabi and then towards Lhasa crossing the Kathong River they proceeded up the bank of Amo-chu. The Tsong, Lepcha and Bhutia jointly fought against the Gurkha and offered a tough resistance to the invading army.

The Sikkimese stood firm against the intruders under the leadership of a Lepcha leader, Chogthup, son of an old Lepcha minister named Karwang. Chogthup led the troops while his brother Namgyal looked after the administration.

Before Tenzing Namgyal left for Lhasa he spent some time in Kabi, having lost their properties, the Chogyals’ family was supported by his loyal followers who took to cultivate fields for several years. In the Cha-Khyi (Iron Dog) year, 1790 the Chogyal decided to leave for Lhasa and seek aid. In 1791 the Tibetan Government deputed an officer named Phodang Goma in Sikkim to reside there as representative of the Tibetan Government, at the same time Bhutan deputed a Lama named Thinley Dugyal to look into the matter. There a meeting was convened where accounts on the invasions of the Gurkhas were made to the officials of the Tibetan and the Bhutanese Government. The representatives met with the Gurkha leader Johar Singh and asked him to vacate Rabdentse and leave for Bijapur. Johar Singh complied and for some time the Gurkha pressure relaxed, only to witness the Nepal –Tibet war in 1791.

Sikkim was however indirectly involved in the Nepal-Tibet war of 1791 in which Sikkim was asked for support by Tibet to expel the Gorkha forces from Tibet. The Sikkim forces comprising of the Bhutias led by the brothers of the deceased Bhutia warrior Deba Tsang Rinzing, the Lepcha force headed by Changzod Chogthup and his brothers and the Tsongs* (Limbus, Jimdars and Mangers) fought valiantly against the Gurkhas.

Tenzing Namgyal died in Lhasa in the Chu-Lang (Water Bull) year, 1793. He was succeeded by his son Tsugphud Namgyal. For some time, he lived in the Yul-Gyal (Victorious in flight) palace of Kabi.

Tsugphud Namgyal was born in 1785 and consecrated in 1793 after his return from Tibet. He was the seventh consecrated Chogyal and ruled for 70 years. The Sikkim history has recorded him as a longest ruler; he married six times. His second wife gave birth of two son viz. Sidkeong Namgyal and Srid-rung Namgyal.

The Gurkha incursion continued during his reign, a column of the Gurkha army had penetrated as far as Chongthong (Chungthang) under the commandership of JangKhater/Subedar Jayanti Khatri.

The Gurkha forces had stationed at Darjeeling and Nagari and they had established their own administration. The boundary of Nepal in the east remained extended up to Teesta both in the hills and the plains. For some years, Pemayangtse and the entire south Teesta tract paid rent to Nepal until 1815.

The Nepalese expansion saw direction towards the south, checked by China in the north and the Sikh power in the west. In south along the Terai the land revenue was very vital for Nepal. Bhimsen Thapa, who had risen as the Prime Minister wielded de-facto power was trying to combine different Indian rulers. The Marquis of Hastings saw this as a conniving act to oust the Company from the Himalayan gambit. In face of the Nepalese encroachment Lord Hastings declared war on Nepal in 1814.

In the “History of Sikkim” written by Maharani Yeshi Dolma and Mharaja Thudop Nmagyal reference has been made of the Tsongs as composed of the Limbus, Jimdars and Mangars.

Meanwhile, the English East India Company had started penetrating the Himalayas for trading prospects with Tibet. The Company at this juncture choose Sikkim to expand its commercial network as Sikkim had matrimonial and religious affinity with Tibet and its strategic location also acted as a bulwark against the possible Nepal-Bhutan alliance against the British. Accordingly, Captain Barre Latter of Rangpur local battalion, stationed in Titalia to the south of Siliguri was instructed to establish contacts with Sikkim. Sikkim was now involved in the diplomacy and was considered an ally of the British in the Anglo-Nepalese war. They jointly attacked the Nagri dzong which was, recaptured in1814 by means of stratagem the Gurkhas were dislodged and in 1815 the British helped to drive out the Gurkhas from many parts in South west Sikkim.

The withdrawal of the Gurkhas from Malaun sealed their fate in the war and broke their power of resistance against the British. Nepal started negotiating for peace in May 1815, at different places and at the fall of Kathmandu in 1816, a peace negotiation was concluded between the British and Nepal at Sagauli. In 1817 the Treaty of Titalia was signed between the British and Nepal whereby the boundary between Sikkim and Nepal was along the Mahanadi and Mechi rivers and the Singelila range. This however, was not in conformity with Sikkimese wishes and a large tract of land was left in the hands of Nepal who did not restore the Sikkimese territories around Titalia which the British acquired from the Gurkhas. The Treaty stipulated that Sikkim would submit to the arbitration of the Company any dispute with Nepal and other neighboring countries. The Treaty thus established complete British influence in Sikkim and for the first time the British acquired the right to trade up to the Tibetan frontier.

The protection of the British was not enough to drive away the fear of Gurkha incursion, so the Chogyal thought it prudent to shift his capital from Rabdentse in West Sikkim to Tumlong in North Sikkim, which he did in the Shing- Khyi (Wood Dog) year of the 14th century, corresponding to 1814 by building a palace called the Wangdutse in Tumlong. Thus, from 1814 Tumlong became the seat of the Chogyals’ Government, much away from the Gurkha kingdom’s eastern boundary. Tumlong remained the capital for about ninety years.

On 7 April 1817, the Governor-General Lord Moira formally granted to the Sikkim ruler by a Sunnud, all that portions of lowland situated eastward of the Meitchi River, and westward of the Mahanadi, formerly possessed by the Rajah of Nepal, but ceded to the Honorable East India Company by the Treaty of Sagauli, to be held by the Sikkimputee Rajah as a feudatory, or as acknowledging the supremacy of the British Government over the said land, on condition that the provisions of the Treaty of Titalya would be in force in the Morung also with the addition that the Company’s police would be allowed to arrest the criminals and all public defaulters even inside Morung. Thus, the Company’s grip in Sikkim was further strengthened and the Chogyal of Sikkim who was feeling unsafe being sandwiched between Nepal and Bhutan had his territories restored, but under the British control.

 Nepal was offered with a prospect to exploit the internal feuds in Sikkim once more instantly after the treaty of Titalia. After 1850s Sikkim suffered from chronic internal feuds. The rebellion of the Tsongs in the middle of the eighteen-century (1852) had been put down by Chogthup’s father, Karwang, the Lepcha minister. The rebellion was the result of discontentment of the Mangars who were being deprived of their traditional privileges. Through tactful diplomacy Changzod Karwang later won back the loyalty of the Tsongs and for a while the land enjoyed peace.

More serious in nature was the conflicts between the Lepchas and Bhutias. When the powerful Bhutia minister had refused to recognize the posthumous infant of Gyurmed and captured power, the Lepcha faction under Karwang opposed him. The ‘Mangsher Duma’ had apportioned powers to the Lepchas and Bhutias and had established peace. But the amity was not destined to last forever. The Bhutia camp, covetous of the triumphs and the growing power of the Lepcha Karwang family, procured the murder of Bolod, a scion of the family, under the king’s instruction in 1826. (Tung-yik Menchoo, father of Dongyer Namgyal treacherously murdered Phyag mdzod (chancellor) Bolod near Tumlong). The Lepcha chiefs left Sikkim taking with them about eight hundred houses of Lepcha subjects’ from Chidam and Namthang and went to Illam seeking Nepalese help. Thus began the ‘KoTa pa insurrection’, which sorely troubled Sikkim for a long time. This was dark period in the Sikkimese history which tested the age-old blood brother hood ties between the Lepchas and the Bhutias.But with time this feud was resolved and once again peace was restored between the two communities.

In 1831, the Maharaja Tsugphud Namgyal, wrote a letter to Capt. Lloyd to the following effect, “I had addressed a prayer to the Governor General through Major Blatter regarding the Morang and the boundaries through the forest, but it seems that it has not been received by his excellency, because the boundaries of Sikkim have not been demarcated according to our original possessions. I will send down my Chagzod in the Zi-lo (Mouse year). At the least our boundaries ought to be Singelila on the top and Metchi River at the foot. The Morung Terai territories are bounded on the West by Kanika and the Teesta on the East. The top forests extended up Timar Chorten formerly, but the Arun River constituted our real natural boundary. But subsequently the Gurkha named Shanda by wily means managed to encroach beyond the boundaries, and have destroyed the Yakha and Khambu tribes who were under our rule”. *

The political boundaries of Sikkim and Nepal had not been the same throughout the period of historical evolution in the past. Parts of Nepal had been under Sikkim’s jurisdiction at one point of time and parts of Sikkim in a similar manner were under Nepal. The various communities in Sub-Himalayan regions of Nepal, Sikkim, India, Bhutan and Tibet were living in harmony since ancient times. They moved freely and settled wherever they wished.

A perimeter disagreement arose between Sikkim and Nepal, and Sikkim referred the matter, in accordance with the treaty of Titalia, to the Company. It was to investigate this dispute that Lord William Bentinck deputed G.W. Lloyd and J.W Grant in 1828. They penetrated into the hills and came as far as Rinchingpung. These men attracted by the location of Darjeeling, brought it to the notice of the Governor-General, and it was resolved by Government to open negotiations with the Maharaja of Sikkim on the first convenient occasion for the cession of Darjeeling to the British Government in return for an equivalent in lands or money.

This opportunity occurred in 1834-35, when the Lepcha refugees in Nepal made an inroad into the Sikkim Terai, and Colonel Lloyd was deputed to enquire into the causes of the disturbance. The refugees were obliged to return to Nepal, and the negotiation ended in the cession of Darjeeling tract under a Deed of Grant, dated February 1835. In 1841 the Government granted an allowance of Rs.3, 000 per annum to the Maharaja as compensation for the cession of Darjeeling.

In 1839 Darjeeling contained about a hundred Bustiwallas, but within ten years, viz. from 1839-1849 more than 10,000 houses had settled there. People from all parts of the country flocked there, it having become a great market the slaves and menial classes from Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal all took refuge there. But an ill feeling was created when the Sikkimese rulers not being used to the usages of the powerful Government. Criminals from Darjeeling also took refuge in Sikkim, in view of these developments the Sikkim Durbar wrote several times to Campbell and tried to obtain the extradition of the runaway slaves from Darjeeling but Campbell turned deaf ears to this proposal. There existed a serious communication gap between the Sikkim Maharaja, his officials and Dr. Campbell, the successor of Capt. Lloyd who always seemed to be annoyed with the former. The increased importance of Darjeeling, under free institutions, was a source of early and constant suspiciousness and annoyance to the Dewan of the Maharaja.

In the year 1849, Dr. Campbell and Joseph Dalton Hooker who was a Naturalist and a colleague of Charles Darwin, visited Sikkim, and were touring the Chola range. The Tibetan Government had issued stringent orders forbidding foreigners to be allowed beyond the boundaries. The Maharaja of Sikkim was also forbidden to visit Tibet often than once in 8 years. Such complications and suspicions had been aroused in the Tibet Government with regard to the leasing of the Darjeeling land to the British, and compulsion to supply transports etc. free to the Sikkim Maharaja. Campbell presumed that the refusal was due to the influence of Donyer Namgyal who had become a very influential minister in the Raja’s court . The Maharaja Tsugphup Namgyal was too aged and infirm and the Tokhang Donyer Namgyal and other ministers of Sikkim asked the two English gentlemen not to go beyond the Chola range but as they did not mind these, the ministers, not foreseeing the consequences which might happen from the British side, thought themselves compelled to restrain these two gentlemen and detained them for some time. But when a letter came from the Indian Government both the gentlemen were released.

In the year 1850, British Indian Government sent up an avenging force under the Darjeeling Superintendent and attacked the Terai, and the land lying below Raman in the North, and the Rangeet and Teesta in the East, and the Nepal Sikkim Frontier in the west, besides stopping annual rent of Rs. 6000, from Darjeeling. The lands thus attached at one swoop by the British Government meant a loss of 6 Jongkhags, or Kazis’ elakas in the hills, besides Rs.6, 000 and an income estimated at Rs.46, 000 annually coming in cash or in kind from the Raiyat in these plains. Sikkim lost its Terai region (Morung) and became a hill-locked Kingdom. This new territory was put under the management of the Secretary of Darjeeling.

In 1861 Sikkim was bound to sign a treaty with the British. A force was dispatched in 1860 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gawler, accompanied by Ashley Eden, (who was the Political officer as far as Teesta) as Envoy and Special Commissioner. The force advanced to the Teesta and Sikkim was bound to accede to, a new treaty in 1861, consisting of twenty-three articles. It was concluded by the Envoy with Maharaja Sidkeong Namgyal and the Political officer impressed the necessity of its faithful observance upon the Sikkimese.  Donyer Namgyal was banished from Sikkim.

By 1861, Sikkim was completely transformed into a British protectorate and the annexation of Darjeeling was confirmed. Colonial diplomacy however did not afford the British to annex Sikkim completely. For the British the acquisition of Darjeeling was the realization of their long-cherished desire to get a foothold within the territory of Sikkim to influence it with their commerce and culture and further use it, as a bridge to Lhasa. Now they needed a proper location as a base for their trade and a pass closer to this base to satisfy their ambition. They therefore undertook serious explorations of Sikkim route through various trade missions.

Sidekeong Namgyal was born in 1819 AD (Earth Hare Year) of the 14th century of the Tibetan Era. He was born as a middle son to Maharaja Tshugpud Namgyal’s second wife. Sidekeong Namgyal was recognized as a reincarnation of Karma Ngy-lay Tenzing, who was a brother of famous Situ Pachen of Dokham. He was nominated by the 14th Karmapa hierarch named Theg-chogdorji, as an ecclesiastical and spiritual head lama of five chief monasteries of Sikkim.Due to the recurrent illness of the Maharaja which necessitated his stay in the Chumbi Valley, Sidekeong was entrusted with the responsibility of Raj Guddee though he was a lama in the year 1861.The British Government had recognized him as a Maharaja for his active involvement in state affairs. Further, he was also the signatory of the Treaty at Tumlong in 1861 with the British government as the Maharaja of Sikkim even when his father was alive. Sidekeong Namgyal was forty-four when he was consecrated as Chogyal of Sikkim in 1861.

In the year 1869 issues on grazing tax raised by the people of Lachen and Lachung was settled harmoniously by a letter from the Tashi Lama commanding the Khambajong to pay the people of Lachen and Lachung some annual allowance.

In the year 1866, issues mounted with Bhutan when a Bhutanese felon named Paljor along with his son had committed robbery in Lachung. The Maharaja on being notified sent troops to arrest the brigand who in turn offered resistance where Paljor’s son was killed. In seeing such instance, the Paro Ponlop sent a Bhutanese officer named Jakhoong demanding blood money for the slain person from the Sikkimese Maharaja and demanded tribute for overlooking the matter. The Maharaja refused to pay tribute and defended his verdict on the ground that the felons had resisted a legal arrest. The matter was referred to the arbitration of Dewan Namgyal and the Phari Jongpen who settled the affair by paying 517 silver coins to the Paro Ponlop as blood money. Thus, the issue was resolved and the Bhutanese Officers recognized the legality of Maharaja’s action. This mutual understanding thus, put the affairs of Bhutan and Sikkim on better footing for the future.

The Anglo-Sikkimese relation during Sidekeong’s rule saw a very amiable exchange with the Political Officer. In 1873 Sidekeong Namgyal accompanied by his half- brother Thutob Namgyal, who later succeeded him and his half -sister Tshering Phutti and Changzod Gelong Karpo visited Darjeeling to see Dr. Campbell, the then Lieutenant Governor of Bengal for the enhancement of the annual subsidy of rent for Darjeeling which was stopped earlier. .The visit proved fruitful and the agreement renewed and increased from R.s 9,000/- per year to R.s 12,000/- annually. Also, during his reign Dr. Campbell, the Deputy Commissioner of Darjeeling was replaced by J W Edgar, thus by the virtue of his office Edgar also came to be in charge of the political relation with Sikkim. Sidekeong Namgyal remained friendly with the British and he seemed to have pulled on very well with Edgar.

In 1868 the Maharaja wrote to the Political Officer soliciting permission to grant pardon to Dewan Namgyal and his family who had been banished from Sikkim as per the 7th Article of the Treaty of Tumlong signed in 1861.But the British Government refused to withdraw its position and the appeal was annulled along with a petition for reorganization and the training of the Sikkimese army under British auspices. The Anglo Sikkimese relation was friendly in nature and the Raja Sidekeong Namgyal showed a disposition to look to the British Government for guidance and support Maharaja Sidekeong Namgyal died in April 1874 issueless and was therefore succeeded by his half- brother Thutob Namgyal in the same year. Thutob Namgyal the young Maharaja was still a minor thus ascended the throne under the regency of Changzod Gelong Karpo.

Thutob Namgyal was born in the Chag-Tel year i.e. 1860 of the English calendars. He succeeded as the ninth consecrated Chogyal of Sikkim in 1874, Sing –Khyi (Wood Dog) year by elect representatives of Lamas and laymen in Chumbi. Thutob Namgyal married the widow of his brother who was a lady of Tashi-Lunnpo-Palding’s daughter. She bore a daughter named Namgyal Dolma and two sons Tsoda Namgyal and Sidkeong Tulku. In 1880 the Rani died of childbirth. He married another lady Yeshe Dolma from Lhasa who became the Maharani in 1888 and was the mother of Tashi Namgyal and Chuni Wangmo.

Meanwhile, the British Empire had established its paramountcy and Sikkim was already feeling the by-winds of British diplomacy. His reign witnessed the large-scale colonization from Nepal in spite of the prohibition imposed by the seventh Chogyal Tshudup Namgyal against the settlement of Nepalese in Sikkim. Tseepa Lama, a powerful local magnate, in clear defiance of the ban, settled Nepalese in Chakung for personal gain. This example was soon followed by Lasso Athing and the brothers Khangsa Dewan and Phodong Lama. A counter-movement was started to eject the immigrants and Dalam Athing Densapa and Pemayangtse Tatchang Lamas who thrice ejected the Nepalese along the Teesta. At the ruler’s request the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal suggested an agreement limiting the Nepalese settlement to the south of a line across Sikkim from the east to the west and passing just a few miles north of Gangtok. An influential section of the Kazis vehemently opposed this agreement. There was a meeting at Kalimpong between Thutob Namgyal and Ashley Eden. Eden agreed with the policy of prohibiting settlement of immigrants and even advised that even if the waste lands were to be thus settled the immigrants should never be allowed to hold any office of village headship.

In 1886 Macaulay Mission entered Sikkim through Tibet where the Tibetans had occupied Lungthu. On Thutob’s mediation the Mission was withdrawn and the Tibetans were evicted from Lungthu. The British remained sullen and disgruntled because of their failure to open up Tibet and the Tibetan authorities could not accept British military posts near Tibetan borders while they themselves were evicted from Lungthu. So, in October 1887 Lord Dufferin envisaged to expel the Tibetans from Lungthu, as a result an armed clash took place in Gnathang, Rinchengang and Chumbi in 1888.The Maharaja was arrested at Chumbi and on his return was instructed never to go to Chumbi in future. He was further asked to act in accordance to the counsel of the Phodong Lama and Khangsa Dewan, who were pro- British.

In 1890 the Anglo-Chinese Convention took place, where the Chinese acknowledged the British protectorate over Sikkim while the British accepted the Chinese delimitation of Sikkim-Tibet boundary as the crest of the mountain range or the watershed. Sikkim claims to Chumbi valley were thus given away, as Sikkim was not a party to this Convention. Thutob was then under detention of the British and John Claude White, the British Political Officer, was the virtual ruler of Sikkim who would henceforth look into the administration with the help of a Council consisting of important pro- British faction leaders like Phodong Lama, Khangsa Dewan and Shew Dewan and others, but the Raja and the Rani due to their pro –Tibetan sympathies declined to take part in the administration.

Maharaja Thutob Namgyal shifted his capital from Tumlong to Gangtok in the year 1894. The Maharaja was reduced to a titular head and was totally in the grace of British disposition. After the detention in Kalimpong the Chogyal and the Gyalmo were allowed to return to their capital, but were detained again for two years at Kurseong on his to Tibet for retreat. He was allowed to resume his rule over Sikkim after six months of confinement in 1895. Thus, he ran the state administration with restriction the actual power being vested with the Political Officer.

Lord Elgin followed a peaceful policy of persuasion towards Tibet, when J. C. White appealed for demarcating boundaries between Sikkim and Tibet the Government of India opposed the move as demarcation was not provided for in the Treaty of 1890. With the arrival of Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, he observed that China was nothing more than a de-jure suzerain in Tibet and the Russians were planning to make a move in Tibet. Lord Curzon thus preferred open communication with Tibet and therefore dispatched a mission under Colonel Francis Younghusband. The Mission crossed Jelep la on 3rd December 1903 and after some skirmish entered Lhasa on 4th August 1904.The Dalai Lama fled to Mongolia and a Convention was signed on 7th September 1904. With this the Government of Tibet engaged to respect the Anglo Chinese Convention of 1890 and recognized the frontier between Sikkim and Tibet. From 1817 to 1889 the British Government in India did not interfere with the internal affairs of Sikkim directly. They thought that this policy would help in achieving their goals by leaving the affairs in Sikkim undisturbed and would also keep the Tibetan authorities in good humor.

In 1889, British suzerainty was established with appointment of a Political Officer. The British authority ushered in an era of systematized budgetary system. It began by preparing receipts and expenditure of the State as well as introduction of new items of revenue and above all monetization of budgetary system. When John Claude White, the first British Political Officer of Sikkim was appointed in June 1889, he noted the Coffers were empty, and the first thing he did was to raise the revenue. Shortly a commencement was made by roughly surveying the different districts and assessing them at so much per acre taking into account the nature of the soils its fertility etc. The survey was however, accomplished in five years and thus the basis for taxation and revenue was established. At the same time the forest was placed under the control and excise was also introduced and by these means in about ten years the revenue was raised from Rs. 8000 or a little over £500 per annum to Rs. 2, 200,000 or about £150,000. It may be noted that Mr. White entirely abolished the earlier system of makeshift taxation and substituted it with a modern budgetary system. Land for the first time was taken up a source of revenue; another natural resource i.e. forest was also brought within the purview of taxation. Moreover, excise taxes were introduced to enhance the resources of the state exchequer. Such sources of revenue were tapped previously, but were not regular, systematic and categorical. The Forest Department was created in 1893 and the forest lands were divided into three categories: reserved, khasmahal and gorucharan demarcated in 1902, 1905 and 1911 respectively.

The British system necessitated a proper documentation of records thus led to the first census which was carried out in 1891 and then the second in a customary decennial trend in 1901 and ever since. In 1906 the power to control the administration of Sikkim was transferred from the Government of Bengal to the Government of India and in the same year, the first English School was set up followed by Bhutia and Nepali Boarding schools where English as the medium of instruction was introduced in the schools.

The Administrative Report of the years 1895 to1900 indicates that an extensive effort was being placed by the British administration to improve the infrastructure namely roads which included both original works and repair. From the year 1900, the budget spiraled each year which rose to Rs. 24, 306 in 1906 for buildings and roads alone. This enhancement in expenditure in the opening years of the 20th century was mainly due to the Tibetan expedition of 1904.To assist the British mission to Tibet, roads were built to Dinkung via Gangtok and Lachen. Therefore, the Government of India ordered for the construction of a cart road from Rangpo to Gangtok and another road for mules and ponies from Gangtok to Chumbi over Nathu-la. . In 1907 a new diversion of Gangtok Chumbi Road was constructed. By the end of 1904 the cart road from Siliguri, the terminus of North Bengal to the door of the Residency was completed. This road was known as the Teesta Valley road which was the highway for the travelers and merchants leaving for Sikkim and Tibet. Maharaja Thutob Namgyal passed away in 1914 succeeded by his son Sidkeong Tulku.

Sridkyong Tulku (1879-1914 AD)

Sidkeong Tulku was born in 1879 and ascended to throne in 1914 as the 10th consecrated Chogyal of Sikkim. Tulku as boy had developed a high intelligence and a forceful personality. His traditional (monastic) schooling was but prelude to modern education. Sidkeong had learnt Hindi and Tibetan in 1893-95 from Rajah Tendook at Bhutia Basti near Darjeeling and as early as 1895 the British had sought to educate him in English language. In 1899 he was sent to St. Paul’s School in Darjeeling and was admitted to Prembroke College Oxford in 1906. During his two years stay there he distinguished himself in the University. On his return in 1908 he was given charge of Forest, Monasteries and Education. During the last years of Thutob Namgyal’s rule Sidkeong Tulku was at the helm of affairs as Thutob was losing his sight and was infirm. He was against the feudal aristocracy and religious hierarchy. The act of 1913 concerned the abolition of the practice of imprisonment as a penalty for non-payment of debts and the other was the ban on settlement of plainsmen. His proposal to liquidate landlordism created stern enemies among a large number of landlords, both ancient feudal and modern lessee. In addition, his spirit of independence and assertive nature strained relations with the then Political Officer Mr. Charles Bell. In December 1914, Tulku was reported with fever, a British physician from Bengal prescribed a heavy dose of brandy and put him under number of blankets; at the same time a fire was kept beneath the bed which resulted in his death. Tulku could not rule for long and was succeeded by his step brother Tashi Namgyal.

Tashi Namgyal was consecrated as the 11th Chogyal of Sikkim on 15th May 1916. He was educated in Gangtok School, Saint Paul’s, Darjeeling and Ajmer Mayo College. He married a Tibetan lady Kunzang Dechen daughter of Ra-ka-shar House of Lhasa. He had three sons- Kunzang Paljor Namgyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal and the youngest Jigdal Tsewang Namgyal and had three daughters- Pema Chedeun Yapshi, Pema Choki Yapshi and the youngest Sonam Padeum Trateng. His reign of fifty years was the brightest episode in the Sikkimese history, with advancement in socio-economic and political field.

Sir Tashi Namgyal was a compassionate man, an artist by heart and a pious follower of Mahayana Nyingma tradition. He never suffered from any prejudice and bigotry in the administration and adopted measures to eradicate social evils and inequity in the society. Public gambling was made illegal in 1921 and in 1924 use of unpaid labour was prohibited. In 1937 the personnel of the landlords’ courts were stopped from functioning as police. The period of lessee landlordism expired in 1940 and decision was taken to terminate it when the war was over. A form of conscripted labour for governmental work on payment called Jharlangi had much grown due to the British Government requirements during the Younghusband Expedition and the war. The landlords and the contractors were required to provide porters to carry the loads from Sikkim to Tibet. These contractors mainly the Sikkimese landlords forcefully compelled the people of Sikkim to carry the loads on their own arrangements. Even attendance was made mandatory and they had to provide substitutes if they failed to comply the orders of the contractors. Wide resentments against Jharlangi were growing up and in 1945 the use of such labour was curtailed. In 1946 the landlords were forbidden the use of Jharlangi from the peasants. In 1947 Kuruwa which obliged labour in attendance at staging points in anticipation of officials and tourists was abolished. The peasants of Sikkim had to sit as Kuruwa, a system of waiting for trade consignments from British India to Tibet and vice versa. These Kuruwas had to wait for the consignments at certain points on their own arrangements. There was no escape from it and the landlords were benefitting out of it. This compelled Sir Tashi Namgyal to abolish this malevolence practice in 1947. He also established the Sikkim Nationalised Transport in 1944 which served as an important means of transport and as major source of revenue.

At the end of the World War II (1946) steps were taken to initiate land reforms, for this survey of lands was prepared. As the landlords were not cooperative to surrender their estates, His Highness started clipping their powers and functions. The landlords’ courts and their powers of registration of lands and deeds were abolished in 1948. The lessee system was dropped and the people were given the right to pay tax direct to the state.

In order to bring popular elements into the administration and all-party agreement was reached in 1951 for an elected council with 17 members, reserving 6 seats for Bhutia-Lepchas and 6 seats for Nepalese, and 5 seats to be nominated by the Chogyal at his discretion. A council was elected and an Executive Council was formed, to govern Sikkim in 1951.

A Chief Court was set up and a judge was appointed in 1916. The judicial functions of the land lords thus were under the supervision of the superior court. By a Charter in April 1955 a High Court was set up and separating the judiciary from executive. Prior to this in 1953-54 modern procedures modeled to Indian Civil and Criminal Codes was introduced. The Indian Penal Code was adapted and provision relating to capital punishment for murder during life sentence was deleted. Provisions for marriage offence being not in conformity with the customary laws were also deleted. The judicial and magisterial functions of the landlords were completely abolished by 1958.

 In the year 1957, The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology for the study of Buddhism was established. The Government Institute of Cottage Industry was also established in 1957. In 1961 Sir Tashi Namgyal provided citizenship (status of aadibasi hak) through the Sikkim Subject Certificates to the persons of Sikkim Domicile- the Bhutias, the Lepchas and the Tsongs vide the Government of Sikkim, Notification No.  S/277/61 dated 3rd July 1961. This was further amended in 1962 and provided citizenship to the remaining Nepalese domicile on the basis that the Limboos and other sects of Nepali community were considered as one community, thus providing citizenship and protect the aboriginal status of these people of Sikkim. In the rural areas it is only with the Sikkim Subjects who can purchase land and with this regulation this has been firmly assured. Planned economic and social development in Sikkim was first envisaged in 1952 in the dialogue that ensued between the then Prime Minister of the Indian Union, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Maharaja Tashi Namgyal, who convinced the Maharaja, to go for planned economic development for his State. Accordingly, seven-year plan for the period 1954-61 was prepared with an outlay of Rs 3.25 crores was entirely financed by the Government of India, this was followed by three five-year plans.

He founded Tashi Namgyal Academy, and Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School. He was the patron of Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital during 1917- 1963. His brightest reign came to end at his passing away on 2nd December 1962. He was succeeded by his eldest son Palden Thondup Namgyal.

The twelfth and the last consecrated Chogyal of Sikkim Palden Thondup Namgyal ascended the throne on December 1963.Palden Thondup Namgyal at the age of six had to discontinue his primary education at Saint Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong due to malaria after which he studied the precepts of Buddhism under his uncle, Lhatsun Rimpoche from 1931-34 who was the spiritual leader of Phodong and Rumtek monasteries in succession to Chogyal Sridkyong Namgyal. From 1935 he continued his education at Saint Joseph’s College at Darjeeling and completed his studies at Bishop Cotton College School, Simla in 1941.

It was Crown Prince Paljor Namgyal the eldest who was designated as heir apparent. Prince Paljor was serving as an officer in the Royal Indian Air Force who died in an air crash at Rawalpindi, Pakistan on 20th of December 1941.

At the death of his elder brother Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal had to cancel his preparations for advance studies at Cambridge University, England. He then underwent Indian Civil Service training at Dehra Dun in 1942 and thereafter returned to his country to take on the task of administration. Athing Tashi Dadul Densapa was instrumental to the Maharaja and soon became his principal advisor in judicial and executive matters. He was selected as the President of Sikkim’s State Council in 1944, an office he held until 1949.As an heir to the throne he made personal supervision over various departments of the Government of Sikkim and initiated many administrative reforms. Palden Thondup acted as an advisor to his father on External affairs and led the Sikkim team, which negotiated the treaty with India in 1949-50. He was associated with many cultural and academic bodies in Sikkim. He was the President of the Mahahabodhi Society of India in 1953 and led the Sikkimese Delegation to the Sixth Buddhist Council which was held in Burma in 1954.In 1959 he headed a team to the World Anti- Tuberculosis Conference at Istanbul and in 1960 he was one of the leaders of the Indian Delegation at the 25th International Congress of Orientalist in Moscow.

He was a founder member of the Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling and was the Chairman of the Sikkim Mining Corporation. He was also the President of the Sikkim Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen Board and Colonel in Chief of the Sikkim Guards. The Five-Year Plan development 1965-70 and 1971-75 was also implemented during his reign. Maharaja Palden Thondup Namgyal established 3 hospitals and 12 dispensaries, 2 High Schools, 1 Junior High Schools and 91 Primary Schools. For the development of agriculture and allied sectors Hilley seed potato farm was established along with apple orchards which were cultivated on scientific lines in Lachung and Lachen Valleys. Tea garden at Temi was set up along with Rangpo distillery and Singtam Fruit Preservation Factory. He was bestowed with the Order of the British Empire in 1947 and Padma Vibhusan in 1954.

Palden Thondup Namgyal married Sangay Deki in 1950 who was the daughter of a Tibetan Noble Yapshi Phordang. She died in 1957 leaving behind two sons Tenzing and Wangchuk Namgyal and a daughter named Yangchen. In March 1963 Palden Thondup married Miss Hope Cooke an American national. Palden and Hope Leezum were the two issues from his American wife. Palden Thondup Namgyal was the last reigning Chogyal of Sikkim and his reign witnessed the political turmoil that was to engage Sikkim in the coming years. Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal was unable to save the institution of monarchy which lasted for 333 years. He died in the year 1982 after a prolonged illness.

by Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia