May 21, 2012: National unity, wise and able leadership and
prudent diplomacy are essentials for a country to become prosperous and
peaceful. In a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society like Nepal, social
harmony is essential element to strengthen the unity. The present political
scenario is going to have a long term ramification on the future of Nepal. We
should handle problems in the best interest of the country. It warrants a high
degree of audacity to dispel selfish motivations. Do justice for peace.
Remember violence begets violence. Let us all be proud of being Nepali; not any
caste or creed.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Magar and Magyar of Hungary
Dear Monica Kovas,
Thanks for the email. As you are struck with the similarity of the words Magar and Magyar so are many of us here in Nepal. This curiosity further led people here to establish Nepal-Hungary Friendship Association on 30 April 996 in Kathmandu. The Chairman of this Association is Mr. Tek Bahadur Thapa, former Secretary of Ministry of Home.
The objectives of the Association were to promote cultural, literary, sports, arts as well as youth programs to create congenial atmosphere among the peoples of both countries, conduct seminar, colloquium and lecture program to have better understanding of both countries, and to promote study to trace out the affinity between Magar ethnic group of Nepal and Magyar tribe of Hungary. This Association has published five volumes of Nepal-Hungary Friendship Association Bulletin so far.
Similarly it is known that a Hungary-Nepal Friendship Society was also established in Hungary on 2 July 1996. Mr. Elek Woynarovich and Mr. K. J. Baral (retired Inspector General of Police, Nepal) were both elected as honorable presidents. The Chairman, General Secretary was Mr. Ferenc Lovass and Sarolta Boda respectively. The address of this Society was BL Studio, 1054 Budapest, Garibaldi u. 7. 1/5a. Hungary. Tel 36-1-131-68-39, Fax 36-1-141-03-05. I understand that Mr. Ferenc Lovass along with his team was here in Kathmandu on film shooting mission with an objective of studying the possibility of close proximity in between Magar and Magyar.
I know not much about their findings but there are still some activities going on towards achieving the objectives set forward by the Association in Nepal. I look forward to strengthen both these institutions of Hungry and Nepal to more arduous research like activities to unearth any relationship in between these communities. The fields for research could be language, art, religion and culture.
Please let me know about any findings from your part. Thanks for visiting our web site and the interest shown in such anthropological matters.
Dr. Govind Prasad Thapa
Chairman
……………………………….
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was reading about Magars on your website and I understand that they are Mongolian in origin. I am Hungarian (we call ourselves Magyar) and - as you are probably aware my people originally come from East of the Urals.I can't help noticing how similar the two names are and geographically thousands of years ago the two nations would not have been that far from each other. Do you think there is a relation?
Hope you can help my curiosity; I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Monika Kovacs, 18 Oct 2005
Thanks for the email. As you are struck with the similarity of the words Magar and Magyar so are many of us here in Nepal. This curiosity further led people here to establish Nepal-Hungary Friendship Association on 30 April 996 in Kathmandu. The Chairman of this Association is Mr. Tek Bahadur Thapa, former Secretary of Ministry of Home.
The objectives of the Association were to promote cultural, literary, sports, arts as well as youth programs to create congenial atmosphere among the peoples of both countries, conduct seminar, colloquium and lecture program to have better understanding of both countries, and to promote study to trace out the affinity between Magar ethnic group of Nepal and Magyar tribe of Hungary. This Association has published five volumes of Nepal-Hungary Friendship Association Bulletin so far.
Similarly it is known that a Hungary-Nepal Friendship Society was also established in Hungary on 2 July 1996. Mr. Elek Woynarovich and Mr. K. J. Baral (retired Inspector General of Police, Nepal) were both elected as honorable presidents. The Chairman, General Secretary was Mr. Ferenc Lovass and Sarolta Boda respectively. The address of this Society was BL Studio, 1054 Budapest, Garibaldi u. 7. 1/5a. Hungary. Tel 36-1-131-68-39, Fax 36-1-141-03-05. I understand that Mr. Ferenc Lovass along with his team was here in Kathmandu on film shooting mission with an objective of studying the possibility of close proximity in between Magar and Magyar.
I know not much about their findings but there are still some activities going on towards achieving the objectives set forward by the Association in Nepal. I look forward to strengthen both these institutions of Hungry and Nepal to more arduous research like activities to unearth any relationship in between these communities. The fields for research could be language, art, religion and culture.
Please let me know about any findings from your part. Thanks for visiting our web site and the interest shown in such anthropological matters.
Dr. Govind Prasad Thapa
Chairman
……………………………….
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was reading about Magars on your website and I understand that they are Mongolian in origin. I am Hungarian (we call ourselves Magyar) and - as you are probably aware my people originally come from East of the Urals.I can't help noticing how similar the two names are and geographically thousands of years ago the two nations would not have been that far from each other. Do you think there is a relation?
Hope you can help my curiosity; I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Monika Kovacs, 18 Oct 2005
Email coverstaions on the history of Magar
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 07:22:08 -0800 (PST)
From: "MSC" View Contact Details
Subject: Re: Himalayan Mountaineeing Institute
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stanley,
Thanks. This is becoming very interesting. I shal try to find out more about the telescope. But i dont see any relationship with the Bhirkot. When i find some time i shall explore more about your field of interest. With best regards.
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
28 November 2004
Dear Dr. Thapa
The information that your friend provided on the telescope is most interesting, however, I am more interested in obtaining the number on the telescope. The number gives much more detail to the telescope. I am sorry that the telesope lens was broken. There are replacement lens for the telescope that I might be able to help in acqiring for it.
As to my last email regarding Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah, I have ascertained that she is from the Bhaktapur Mallas. I suppose I was not clear regarding the information on her family. It is her mother Mrs. Jagat Malla of whom I do not have information on. I understand that she lived in Nepal and when Mr. Padma Malla returned from America she left Nepal and went to Calcutta to be with him and that is where their chidren were born. I do not know if Mrs. Jagat Malla had been a Rana, a Singh, a Shah, or whom prior to her marriage to Mr. Padma Malla.
I understand that you are very busy. I do not wish to take up your time with my questions.
I have received a second email from you regarding Mr. Anil Keshary Shah, the grandson of Mr. Tarak Bahadur Shah. You had sent me an email and an introduction to Mr. Shah to me some time ago as well. I wrote to him with no success at all. The same is true for Mrs. Samantha Shah who is the wife of Mr Ujjal Shah, brother to Mr. Anil Shah. Mrs. Bhinda Shah turned my questions over to Mrs. Samantha Shah who wanted to know my "base" address and not much else. I am afraid that this family is rather private, even though they are from a public family, including Mrs. Bhinda Shah. Therefore, I will not bother with seeking any more information regarding them for my research. I shall seek research on families that may actually have information on Bhirkot and who actually want to know the history of their family, or give it up soon. I really can't get involved with families who do not wish to be known
Again, I thank you for your time and effort on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 22:48:33 -0800 (PST)
From: "MSC" View Contact Details
Subject: Re: Greetings from Magar Studies Center
To: Pakrav@aol.com
CC: "Anil Shah"
Dear Stanley,
I take thhis opportunity to introduce Mr. Anil Shah, General Manager of Nabil Bank, Kathmandu. Mr Shah is the grandson of Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah and son of Narayan Keshari Shah and Mrs Binda Shah (First lady Ambassador to Bangladesh and India). I received this information by courtesy of Manoj Shah. I am sure that Mr. Shah will be able to help you sort out many puzzles. I have also posted this mail to Mr. Anil Shah.
Email: anilrati@wlink.com.np
With reagards.
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
6 August 2004
Dear Dr.Thapa:
I have not heard from Mr. Manoj Shah other than his email stating that King Tarak Bahadur Shah was his family member. He told me that he was going to collect some data for me and alas, that was the last that I heard I have heard from other sources that the wife of Dr.Narayan Keshary Shah is Blinda Swari Malla, daughter of Padma Sundar Malla who left for Japan in 1916 stayed 2 years and then left for America and the University of Michigan. he returned to Nepal and he had lost his caste because he had not gotten permission to cross the oceans. He built the The Morang Hydroelectric Company, with its 1,600 KW Sikharbas plant on the Chisang Khola, was established in 1939 to power Nepal's first large industry, the Biratnagar Jute Mill. The major shareholders of this company were, of course, the ruling Ranas and their favourite officials. (Juddha Rana). this was the site of the workers strike called for Nehru of India, King Tribuhvan, Prince Mahendra and Subaran Rana with the newly established Nepali Congress.
I heard that Mrs Blinda Malla Shah had two sons one of which married Subarna Rana's granddaughter, Rati. the other one married Samantha Rajya Laxmi Rana daughter of Late Tribhuvan Pratap Rana(son of Yog Bikram Rana) and Sachu Shah. and had a son this year by the name of Aditya Keshary Shah son b. February 2004. I have not been able to locate Tribhuvan Pratap Rana, or Yog Bikram Rana or Sachu Shah. I am still researching and when I have it together, I wll be happy to share all the information with your center.
Sincerely
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Fri, 26 Nov 2004 22:46:30 -0800 (PST)
From: "MSC" View Contact Details
Subject: Re: Himalayan Mountaineeing Institute
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stanley,
I requested one of my friends to go and gather information about the telescope. According to him—the telescope is made in Germany, 7-8 feet long, 5-8 feet high, 50-60 kilogram heavy, it can cover the range of 2000 kilometer. It was given by Adolf Hitler to Judha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana. His son Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana handed over it to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in 1961 AD. These days the telescope is not in use because some students accidentally broke the glass of the instrument during experiment session.
I hope it partially serves your purpose. I you want more information I can reach my friend again on telephone.
Last time this is what you wrote to me about Bindha Shah "Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah has informed me of her immediate family that being of her father, :Padma Sundar Malla who married Jagat. I do not know what branch of the Shah, or Rana or Malla family she is from. Mrs. Bhinda Shah's brothers are Chitra Prakash Malla, Tej Prakash Malla, and Chatra Prakash Malla.They are Newars descending from the Kings of Bhaktapur."
Yes, she belongs to Malla Newars of Bhaktapur.
I do not have any family relationship with the Nain Singh Thapa. I belong to Magar--an ethnic Nationalities of Nepal.
These days I am too busy. May be after some time I find time to look out information for your research. Will be in touch soon.
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
24 November 2004
Dear Dr. G P Thapa:
I do not know if anyone from the Magar Studies Center is able to go, or does go, to Darjeerling, India and to the Himalyan Mountaineering Institute located there. If there is someone who does go to Darjeerling, or if you know of someone who lives in Darjeerling, would you please do me a favor and ask them if they would be so kind as to go to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and look at the Large Telescope outside the HMI Center and get the number of the Telescope off of it, as well as any other writing on it and post it to me? The Number of the Telescope is most important to me and plays a part in the history of Nepal. I just have to have the number of the Telescope in order to authenticate it. Do you think that it might be possible to get this number for me in a rather short time frame?
I would be so grateful for this information.
I am still attempting to follow up some leads on the Bhirkot lineage of Shahs and will not give up on it. As soon as I receive any information, I shall post you on it. You have been most kind and most helpful to me in my research. Dr. Thapa, are you related to General Nain Singh Thapa and his daughter, Ganesh Kumari Devi, who was the second wife of Narasingh Kunwar Rana.?
Sincerely
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Mon, 8 Nov 2004 07:25:21 -0800 (PST)
From: "MSC" View Contact Details
Subject: Re: Rajas of Bhirkot
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stanley,
Thanks for the update. I am extremely happy to find you more and more getting into the history of Magar kings. Be prepared to take pains--because it is not going to be an easy task. All the best. With best regards.
Dr. GP Thapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
5 November 2004
Dear Dr. G P Thapa:
I have not forgotten you, kind Sir. I have not had much cooperation on my research and it is taking me a bit of time to gather it together.
However, through friends in London, I have discovered that Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah's, father is Raja Tamra Dhowj Khand. Raja Tarak's grandfather is Raja Lalit Bahadur Khand b 18xx, descendant of Raja Khancha Khan and that is where I am yet again stuck.
According to the history of the Aalam Devi, the genealogies go like this:
Bhattar Rhishi Raj Ranaji in Chittaurgadh, Indian
Bhupati Ranaji Rao was the 33rd lineage after Bhattar
Raja Manamath Ranjee Manorat Rai [Manamath Ranaji Rao]
Raja Bhupal Ranjee he left Ujjain and went to Ridi in 1494. He stayed in Ridi
for some time and the he moved to Bhirkot. Raja of Bhirkot
Khancha Khan (Harihar Singh) won Dhora. (Baglung) Bhirkot,
Satahun, Gahraun (Syangja). Khancha Khan, a Thakuri king of the Chin
Rangan clan. was taking the Aalam Devi ( Kumari Devi, a Goddess, who
had to be carried at all times and never laid on the ground. A soldier laid
down the Kumari Devi and she vanished. A virgin boy was left at the
temple and a virgin boy must always be there at the temple in case she
reappears.) with him during the time of extending his Kingdom. One
night he took rest there where the temple lies today but the Devi
concealed deep down into the earth. Conceal corresponds to ‘alap’ in
local tongue and the revised version of ‘alap’ might be Aalam, it is said.
Later Khancha Khan maintained Aalam Devi as the Kul Devta of the
Royal family and Thakuris of Nepal till today.
 Jaina Khand
Raja Lalit Bahadur Khand
Raja Tamra Dhowj Khand
Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah
Rishikesh Shaha
Narayan Keshary Shah
Anil Keshary Shah
Ujjal Keshary Shah
I have read Extract from 'The Gurkhas' of Eden Vansittart (based upon the 'Notes on Nepal', 1895 AD and 'Notes on Gurkhas' 1890 AD), Anmol Publications, New Delhi, Re-print 1993 (The spellings are original and not altered) , where Dr. Hamilton states, "The family of Gurkha, which now (1802) governs Nepal, although it pretends to come from Chitor, is in reality of the Magar tribe" and where he stated that the original home of the Magars was around Bhirkot, Gulmi, Argha, Khachi, and Palpa. I have also read that King Prithvi Narayan Shah went to Benaras and changed his Gotra from `Bharadwaj' into `Kasyap'. Bharadwaj does not seem to have any Sutras listed with it, however, Kasyap does and I don't know if this was his intention to do, that of obtaining a link to the Rishis who wrote Sutras.
Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah married Madaan Dibyeshwari Rajya Lakshmi b. at Dhankota, October 1901 daughter of Bir SJB Rana, eldest son of Dhir SJB Rana, 9th son of Bala Narsingh Rana. Their daughter, Kamal, the sister to Rishikesh Shah, married Min SJB Rana, the 17th son of Juddha SJB Rana and they had Anup who died in 1999 from a series of 3 devastating strokes in one day.
Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah has informed me of her immediate family that being of her father, :Padma Sundar Malla who married Jagat. I do not know what branch of the Shah, or Rana or Malla family she is from. Mrs. Bhinda Shah's brothers are Chitra Prakash Malla, Tej Prakash Malla, and Chatra Prakash Malla.They are Newars descending from the Kings of Bhaktapur.
I am currently working on that list and will post you as soon as possible.
Sincerely
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Tue, 6 Jul 2004 02:24:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: "MSC" View Contact Details
Subject: Re: Former King of Bhirkot, Tarak Bahadur Shah
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stabley,
Thanks for your mail. Please write to Mr. Manoj Shah Email: manojshah70@hotmail.com concerning your research work. He is the right man for this. I shall be happy if we could do anything besides that. Thanks.
MSC
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
June 30 2004
Dear Magar Studies Center:
I have read your article on the magars most intently. I understand that the Kingdom of Bhirkot was small and a tributary to the Raja of Jumla. I am attempting to research the history of King Tarak Bahadur Shah and his family. I understand that Rishikesh Shaha the former Finance Minister of Nepal, the former Foreign Minister of Nepal, the first permanent Royal Nepal Ambassador to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States, the former drafter of the 1962 Nepal Constitituion was his son. I have learned that Dr. Narayan Keshary Shah is also King Tarak's son and that Rishikesh Shaha had a son by the name of Prakrash who lives in New Jersey USA. Dr. Narayan Shah has two sons, one Anil Keshary Shah married Rati Rana, daughter of Rakmar Rana and the other son, Ujjal Shah is living in the USA. I do not have any information on the wfe of either Dr. Narayan Shah or Rishikesh Shaha or of King Tarak Shah. If you have any infromation on the lineage of King Tarak and information on his family I would be deeply appreciative.
What now concerns me is that Dr. F. Hamilton in his 1819 book states that the people of Bhirkot were magars. does this mean that King Tarak is a Magar of India and not a Rajput Prince of India? Is Prithvi Narayan Shah's family of Gorhka really Magars and not Rajput from Chittor?
will you help to clear this up as best as you can for me? I thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Mr. J. F. Stanley
From: "MSC"
Subject: Re: Himalayan Mountaineeing Institute
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stanley,
Thanks. This is becoming very interesting. I shal try to find out more about the telescope. But i dont see any relationship with the Bhirkot. When i find some time i shall explore more about your field of interest. With best regards.
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
28 November 2004
Dear Dr. Thapa
The information that your friend provided on the telescope is most interesting, however, I am more interested in obtaining the number on the telescope. The number gives much more detail to the telescope. I am sorry that the telesope lens was broken. There are replacement lens for the telescope that I might be able to help in acqiring for it.
As to my last email regarding Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah, I have ascertained that she is from the Bhaktapur Mallas. I suppose I was not clear regarding the information on her family. It is her mother Mrs. Jagat Malla of whom I do not have information on. I understand that she lived in Nepal and when Mr. Padma Malla returned from America she left Nepal and went to Calcutta to be with him and that is where their chidren were born. I do not know if Mrs. Jagat Malla had been a Rana, a Singh, a Shah, or whom prior to her marriage to Mr. Padma Malla.
I understand that you are very busy. I do not wish to take up your time with my questions.
I have received a second email from you regarding Mr. Anil Keshary Shah, the grandson of Mr. Tarak Bahadur Shah. You had sent me an email and an introduction to Mr. Shah to me some time ago as well. I wrote to him with no success at all. The same is true for Mrs. Samantha Shah who is the wife of Mr Ujjal Shah, brother to Mr. Anil Shah. Mrs. Bhinda Shah turned my questions over to Mrs. Samantha Shah who wanted to know my "base" address and not much else. I am afraid that this family is rather private, even though they are from a public family, including Mrs. Bhinda Shah. Therefore, I will not bother with seeking any more information regarding them for my research. I shall seek research on families that may actually have information on Bhirkot and who actually want to know the history of their family, or give it up soon. I really can't get involved with families who do not wish to be known
Again, I thank you for your time and effort on my behalf.
Sincerely,
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 22:48:33 -0800 (PST)
From: "MSC"
Subject: Re: Greetings from Magar Studies Center
To: Pakrav@aol.com
CC: "Anil Shah"
Dear Stanley,
I take thhis opportunity to introduce Mr. Anil Shah, General Manager of Nabil Bank, Kathmandu. Mr Shah is the grandson of Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah and son of Narayan Keshari Shah and Mrs Binda Shah (First lady Ambassador to Bangladesh and India). I received this information by courtesy of Manoj Shah. I am sure that Mr. Shah will be able to help you sort out many puzzles. I have also posted this mail to Mr. Anil Shah.
Email: anilrati@wlink.com.np
With reagards.
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
6 August 2004
Dear Dr.Thapa:
I have not heard from Mr. Manoj Shah other than his email stating that King Tarak Bahadur Shah was his family member. He told me that he was going to collect some data for me and alas, that was the last that I heard I have heard from other sources that the wife of Dr.Narayan Keshary Shah is Blinda Swari Malla, daughter of Padma Sundar Malla who left for Japan in 1916 stayed 2 years and then left for America and the University of Michigan. he returned to Nepal and he had lost his caste because he had not gotten permission to cross the oceans. He built the The Morang Hydroelectric Company, with its 1,600 KW Sikharbas plant on the Chisang Khola, was established in 1939 to power Nepal's first large industry, the Biratnagar Jute Mill. The major shareholders of this company were, of course, the ruling Ranas and their favourite officials. (Juddha Rana). this was the site of the workers strike called for Nehru of India, King Tribuhvan, Prince Mahendra and Subaran Rana with the newly established Nepali Congress.
I heard that Mrs Blinda Malla Shah had two sons one of which married Subarna Rana's granddaughter, Rati. the other one married Samantha Rajya Laxmi Rana daughter of Late Tribhuvan Pratap Rana(son of Yog Bikram Rana) and Sachu Shah. and had a son this year by the name of Aditya Keshary Shah son b. February 2004. I have not been able to locate Tribhuvan Pratap Rana, or Yog Bikram Rana or Sachu Shah. I am still researching and when I have it together, I wll be happy to share all the information with your center.
Sincerely
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Fri, 26 Nov 2004 22:46:30 -0800 (PST)
From: "MSC"
Subject: Re: Himalayan Mountaineeing Institute
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stanley,
I requested one of my friends to go and gather information about the telescope. According to him—the telescope is made in Germany, 7-8 feet long, 5-8 feet high, 50-60 kilogram heavy, it can cover the range of 2000 kilometer. It was given by Adolf Hitler to Judha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana. His son Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana handed over it to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in 1961 AD. These days the telescope is not in use because some students accidentally broke the glass of the instrument during experiment session.
I hope it partially serves your purpose. I you want more information I can reach my friend again on telephone.
Last time this is what you wrote to me about Bindha Shah "Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah has informed me of her immediate family that being of her father, :Padma Sundar Malla who married Jagat. I do not know what branch of the Shah, or Rana or Malla family she is from. Mrs. Bhinda Shah's brothers are Chitra Prakash Malla, Tej Prakash Malla, and Chatra Prakash Malla.They are Newars descending from the Kings of Bhaktapur."
Yes, she belongs to Malla Newars of Bhaktapur.
I do not have any family relationship with the Nain Singh Thapa. I belong to Magar--an ethnic Nationalities of Nepal.
These days I am too busy. May be after some time I find time to look out information for your research. Will be in touch soon.
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
24 November 2004
Dear Dr. G P Thapa:
I do not know if anyone from the Magar Studies Center is able to go, or does go, to Darjeerling, India and to the Himalyan Mountaineering Institute located there. If there is someone who does go to Darjeerling, or if you know of someone who lives in Darjeerling, would you please do me a favor and ask them if they would be so kind as to go to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and look at the Large Telescope outside the HMI Center and get the number of the Telescope off of it, as well as any other writing on it and post it to me? The Number of the Telescope is most important to me and plays a part in the history of Nepal. I just have to have the number of the Telescope in order to authenticate it. Do you think that it might be possible to get this number for me in a rather short time frame?
I would be so grateful for this information.
I am still attempting to follow up some leads on the Bhirkot lineage of Shahs and will not give up on it. As soon as I receive any information, I shall post you on it. You have been most kind and most helpful to me in my research. Dr. Thapa, are you related to General Nain Singh Thapa and his daughter, Ganesh Kumari Devi, who was the second wife of Narasingh Kunwar Rana.?
Sincerely
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Mon, 8 Nov 2004 07:25:21 -0800 (PST)
From: "MSC"
Subject: Re: Rajas of Bhirkot
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stanley,
Thanks for the update. I am extremely happy to find you more and more getting into the history of Magar kings. Be prepared to take pains--because it is not going to be an easy task. All the best. With best regards.
Dr. GP Thapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
5 November 2004
Dear Dr. G P Thapa:
I have not forgotten you, kind Sir. I have not had much cooperation on my research and it is taking me a bit of time to gather it together.
However, through friends in London, I have discovered that Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah's, father is Raja Tamra Dhowj Khand. Raja Tarak's grandfather is Raja Lalit Bahadur Khand b 18xx, descendant of Raja Khancha Khan and that is where I am yet again stuck.
According to the history of the Aalam Devi, the genealogies go like this:
Bhattar Rhishi Raj Ranaji in Chittaurgadh, Indian
Bhupati Ranaji Rao was the 33rd lineage after Bhattar
Raja Manamath Ranjee Manorat Rai [Manamath Ranaji Rao]
Raja Bhupal Ranjee he left Ujjain and went to Ridi in 1494. He stayed in Ridi
for some time and the he moved to Bhirkot. Raja of Bhirkot
Khancha Khan (Harihar Singh) won Dhora. (Baglung) Bhirkot,
Satahun, Gahraun (Syangja). Khancha Khan, a Thakuri king of the Chin
Rangan clan. was taking the Aalam Devi ( Kumari Devi, a Goddess, who
had to be carried at all times and never laid on the ground. A soldier laid
down the Kumari Devi and she vanished. A virgin boy was left at the
temple and a virgin boy must always be there at the temple in case she
reappears.) with him during the time of extending his Kingdom. One
night he took rest there where the temple lies today but the Devi
concealed deep down into the earth. Conceal corresponds to ‘alap’ in
local tongue and the revised version of ‘alap’ might be Aalam, it is said.
Later Khancha Khan maintained Aalam Devi as the Kul Devta of the
Royal family and Thakuris of Nepal till today.
 Jaina Khand
Raja Lalit Bahadur Khand
Raja Tamra Dhowj Khand
Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah
Rishikesh Shaha
Narayan Keshary Shah
Anil Keshary Shah
Ujjal Keshary Shah
I have read Extract from 'The Gurkhas' of Eden Vansittart (based upon the 'Notes on Nepal', 1895 AD and 'Notes on Gurkhas' 1890 AD), Anmol Publications, New Delhi, Re-print 1993 (The spellings are original and not altered) , where Dr. Hamilton states, "The family of Gurkha, which now (1802) governs Nepal, although it pretends to come from Chitor, is in reality of the Magar tribe" and where he stated that the original home of the Magars was around Bhirkot, Gulmi, Argha, Khachi, and Palpa. I have also read that King Prithvi Narayan Shah went to Benaras and changed his Gotra from `Bharadwaj' into `Kasyap'. Bharadwaj does not seem to have any Sutras listed with it, however, Kasyap does and I don't know if this was his intention to do, that of obtaining a link to the Rishis who wrote Sutras.
Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah married Madaan Dibyeshwari Rajya Lakshmi b. at Dhankota, October 1901 daughter of Bir SJB Rana, eldest son of Dhir SJB Rana, 9th son of Bala Narsingh Rana. Their daughter, Kamal, the sister to Rishikesh Shah, married Min SJB Rana, the 17th son of Juddha SJB Rana and they had Anup who died in 1999 from a series of 3 devastating strokes in one day.
Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah has informed me of her immediate family that being of her father, :Padma Sundar Malla who married Jagat. I do not know what branch of the Shah, or Rana or Malla family she is from. Mrs. Bhinda Shah's brothers are Chitra Prakash Malla, Tej Prakash Malla, and Chatra Prakash Malla.They are Newars descending from the Kings of Bhaktapur.
I am currently working on that list and will post you as soon as possible.
Sincerely
Mr. J.F.Stanley
Tue, 6 Jul 2004 02:24:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: "MSC"
Subject: Re: Former King of Bhirkot, Tarak Bahadur Shah
To: Pakrav@aol.com
Dear Stabley,
Thanks for your mail. Please write to Mr. Manoj Shah Email: manojshah70@hotmail.com concerning your research work. He is the right man for this. I shall be happy if we could do anything besides that. Thanks.
MSC
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:
June 30 2004
Dear Magar Studies Center:
I have read your article on the magars most intently. I understand that the Kingdom of Bhirkot was small and a tributary to the Raja of Jumla. I am attempting to research the history of King Tarak Bahadur Shah and his family. I understand that Rishikesh Shaha the former Finance Minister of Nepal, the former Foreign Minister of Nepal, the first permanent Royal Nepal Ambassador to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States, the former drafter of the 1962 Nepal Constitituion was his son. I have learned that Dr. Narayan Keshary Shah is also King Tarak's son and that Rishikesh Shaha had a son by the name of Prakrash who lives in New Jersey USA. Dr. Narayan Shah has two sons, one Anil Keshary Shah married Rati Rana, daughter of Rakmar Rana and the other son, Ujjal Shah is living in the USA. I do not have any information on the wfe of either Dr. Narayan Shah or Rishikesh Shaha or of King Tarak Shah. If you have any infromation on the lineage of King Tarak and information on his family I would be deeply appreciative.
What now concerns me is that Dr. F. Hamilton in his 1819 book states that the people of Bhirkot were magars. does this mean that King Tarak is a Magar of India and not a Rajput Prince of India? Is Prithvi Narayan Shah's family of Gorhka really Magars and not Rajput from Chittor?
will you help to clear this up as best as you can for me? I thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Mr. J. F. Stanley
History of the Brigade of Gurkhas
Gurkhas: (Skt. goraksa, “cowherd”), Tibeto-Mongolian Hindus of Nepal. The Gurkhas first came to Nepal in the 12th century, when they were driven out of northern India by the Muslims. The Gurkhas claim descent from the warlike Rajputs of northern India in the present state of Rajasthan, and they speak a Rajasthani Sanskrit dialect. In physique they are short and stocky. An attempt to extend their power southward resulted in the Gurkha War (1814–16) against Great Britain, in which they were defeated. Since that time, many of the Gurkhas, who were known for their excellent fighting, were recruited by the British military service in India and in the British colonies, serving in separate Gurkha regiments. Many of the so-called Gurkha soldiers, however, have been Nepalese of other tribes. The Gurkha troops used to carry short, broad-bladed swords called kukri, which they used in close combat instead of bayonets.
(An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited. http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=211153)
They first became known to the Western World when British commanders clashed with them in the hills of Nepal in 1816. After the war ended, the victorious British actively recruited their former foe for their own forces, and a military legend was born. They have been called "the ideal infantrymen" by those fortunate enough to command them. Brave, tough, patient and fiercely loyal, Gurkhas served in both World Wars, in conditions from the blistering deserts to the steamy jungles of Asia. THE GURKHAS tells the remarkable story of these storied soldiers, from their 19th century battles against the English to their astonishing success fighting for the British Empire in history's greatest conflicts. (http://shop.history.com/detail.php?a=75071)
In 1814 a war broke out between the British and the Nepalese principality of Gorkha, which in early 1815, led to the defeat of the tough and warlike tribe. Out of mutual respect, a friendly convention was signed in 1815 allowing the British to recruit troops Gorkha. In April 1815 the Corps of Gurkhas, (a British mispronunciation) consisting of three battalions was formed up and added to the British Army's 'irregular' strength. Since then the sturdy Gurkha mountain men of Nepal, every one a volunteer, have served throughout the Empire and in two World Wars. In each World War over 120,000 young men heeded the call to arms and served across the world, a tradition that their sons, grandsons and descendants still follow to this day.
In 1914 at the outbreak of War the Gurkhas now consisting of ten regiments, each with two or more battalions of 1000 men were deployed across India, Pakistan and on the North West Frontier. By early 1915 with the war intensifying troops were urgently needed in Flanders, Gallipoli and Africa. There began a massive movement of troops, from all the nations of the British Empire and of course the re-deployment of the various regiments of Gurkhas into the most active theatres of war.
In France in 1915 Gurkhas were the first soldiers to break the German line at Neuve Chapelle and would prove particularly adept the very dangerous occupation of night patrolling to dominate 'no man's land' between the lines. Their reputation went before them and armed with their dreaded fighting knives, called Kukri's, which were particularly suited to trench warfare, they became feared warriors with almost mystical powers.
Gurkhas were deployed extensively in Gallipoli and the 1/6th were the only regiment to secure the commanding heights of Sari Bair above the landing beaches with the Turkish trenches taken with a final 'kukri' charge. The 2nd Regiment sent one Battalion to Mesopotamia, who after the Russian Revolution went as far North as the Caspian Sea to protect Persia. The 3rd mainly fought in France and at one time had a Battalion detached to serve with Lawrence of Arabia as mounted infantry on Camels. The 4th fought in the Dardanelles with the 5th who with an officer and 25 men were the last to evacuate the Gallipoli Peninsula. The 6th Held the Suez Canal, saw action at Gallipoli, and went on to Mesopotamia and Greece via the Black Sea. The 7th Remained in India as a Garrison and Training regiment and saw action at Kut and Baghdad, whilst the 8th served in Palestine and France. The 9th and 10th also saw action in France, Suez and Gallipoli.
In 1948 the regiment in recognition of their outstanding service, were taken on the regular strength of the British Army and have continued to serve across the world seeing service in The Falklands, The Middle East, Borneo and recently spearheaded the NATO force into Kosovo in the Balkans. (http://www.ballantynes-walkerburn.com/acatalog/Gurkha_Soldier_from_Nepal__World_War_1__Bronze__BWM.html)
The Nusseree Battalion (later the 1st KGVO Gurkha Rifles) circa 1857
The beginning-Gurkhas, Nepal and East India Company
Robert Clive's decisive victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 firmly established British supremacy in India thereby opening the door for expansion of the Honourable East India Company. Some 10 years after Plassey the British started to come into contact with a unique and vigorous power on the northern borders of its newly won territories in Bengal and Bihar.
This power was the city-state of Gorkha led by its dynamic King Prithwi Narayan Shah. Gorkha was a feudal hill village in what is now western Nepal, the village from which the Gurkha takes his name. Prithwi Narayan Shah and his successors grew so powerful that they overan the whole of the hill country from the Kashmir border in the west to Bhutan in the east. Eventually, as a result of boundary disputes and repeated raids by Gurkha columns into British territory, the Governor General declared war on Nepal in 1814.
After two long and bloody campaigns a Peace Treaty was signed at Sugauli in 1816.
A Gurkha commander during the Nepal Wars
During the war a deep feeling of mutual respect and admiration had developed between the British and their adversaries, the British being much impressed by the fighting and other qualities of the Gurkha soldier. Under the terms of the Peace Treaty large numbers of Gurkhas were permitted to volunteer for service in the East India Company's Army. From these volunteers were formed the first regiments of the Gurkha Brigade, and from this time stems Britain's friendship with Nepal, a country which has proved a staunch ally ever since and has become our 'oldest ally' in Asia.
Never has the trust that was then placed in the Gurkha soldier ever been in doubt. Alongside his British comrade in arms he has fought in many parts of the world and has proved himself to be of the closest of friends and bravest of allies that Britain has known.
Men of the Sirmoor Battalion (later the 2nd KEO VII Goorkhas) pictured outside Hindu Rao's house in 1857
'Keeping the Peace' in India under the British flag began for Gurkha soldiers with the Pindaree War in 1817, and the first battle honour gained by Gurkha troops was at Bhurtpore in 1826. The two senior regiments distinguished themselves in the hard fought battles of the 1st Sikh War in 1846, and six regiments of the Nepalese Army were offered to the East India Company for service in the 2nd Sikh War of 1848.
In the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858 the 2nd Goorkhas showed striking proof of their loyalty at Delhi where, together with the 60th Rifles (now part of The Rifles), they held Hindu Rao's house, the key to the British position which was under continuous fire from the mutineers, for over three months. During this period the 2nd Goorkhas suffered 327 casualties (including 8 of their 9 British Officers) out of a total strength of 490. Also during the mutiny, 12 Nepalese Army Regiments, a force of 8,000 men under the personal leadership of the Prime Minister of Nepal, took part in the final relief of Lucknow.
After the East India Company
Throughout the next 50 years there was much active service in Burma, Afghanistan, the North-East and the North-West Frontiers of India, Malta, Cyprus, Malaya, China (the Boxer Rebellion of 1900) and Tibet (Young husband's Expedition of 1904).
(An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited. http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=211153)
They first became known to the Western World when British commanders clashed with them in the hills of Nepal in 1816. After the war ended, the victorious British actively recruited their former foe for their own forces, and a military legend was born. They have been called "the ideal infantrymen" by those fortunate enough to command them. Brave, tough, patient and fiercely loyal, Gurkhas served in both World Wars, in conditions from the blistering deserts to the steamy jungles of Asia. THE GURKHAS tells the remarkable story of these storied soldiers, from their 19th century battles against the English to their astonishing success fighting for the British Empire in history's greatest conflicts. (http://shop.history.com/detail.php?a=75071)
In 1814 a war broke out between the British and the Nepalese principality of Gorkha, which in early 1815, led to the defeat of the tough and warlike tribe. Out of mutual respect, a friendly convention was signed in 1815 allowing the British to recruit troops Gorkha. In April 1815 the Corps of Gurkhas, (a British mispronunciation) consisting of three battalions was formed up and added to the British Army's 'irregular' strength. Since then the sturdy Gurkha mountain men of Nepal, every one a volunteer, have served throughout the Empire and in two World Wars. In each World War over 120,000 young men heeded the call to arms and served across the world, a tradition that their sons, grandsons and descendants still follow to this day.
In 1914 at the outbreak of War the Gurkhas now consisting of ten regiments, each with two or more battalions of 1000 men were deployed across India, Pakistan and on the North West Frontier. By early 1915 with the war intensifying troops were urgently needed in Flanders, Gallipoli and Africa. There began a massive movement of troops, from all the nations of the British Empire and of course the re-deployment of the various regiments of Gurkhas into the most active theatres of war.
In France in 1915 Gurkhas were the first soldiers to break the German line at Neuve Chapelle and would prove particularly adept the very dangerous occupation of night patrolling to dominate 'no man's land' between the lines. Their reputation went before them and armed with their dreaded fighting knives, called Kukri's, which were particularly suited to trench warfare, they became feared warriors with almost mystical powers.
Gurkhas were deployed extensively in Gallipoli and the 1/6th were the only regiment to secure the commanding heights of Sari Bair above the landing beaches with the Turkish trenches taken with a final 'kukri' charge. The 2nd Regiment sent one Battalion to Mesopotamia, who after the Russian Revolution went as far North as the Caspian Sea to protect Persia. The 3rd mainly fought in France and at one time had a Battalion detached to serve with Lawrence of Arabia as mounted infantry on Camels. The 4th fought in the Dardanelles with the 5th who with an officer and 25 men were the last to evacuate the Gallipoli Peninsula. The 6th Held the Suez Canal, saw action at Gallipoli, and went on to Mesopotamia and Greece via the Black Sea. The 7th Remained in India as a Garrison and Training regiment and saw action at Kut and Baghdad, whilst the 8th served in Palestine and France. The 9th and 10th also saw action in France, Suez and Gallipoli.
5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) in Japan in 1946
5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) in North West Frontiers 1923
The Nusseree Battalion (later the 1st KGVO Gurkha Rifles) circa 1857
The beginning-Gurkhas, Nepal and East India Company
Robert Clive's decisive victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 firmly established British supremacy in India thereby opening the door for expansion of the Honourable East India Company. Some 10 years after Plassey the British started to come into contact with a unique and vigorous power on the northern borders of its newly won territories in Bengal and Bihar.
This power was the city-state of Gorkha led by its dynamic King Prithwi Narayan Shah. Gorkha was a feudal hill village in what is now western Nepal, the village from which the Gurkha takes his name. Prithwi Narayan Shah and his successors grew so powerful that they overan the whole of the hill country from the Kashmir border in the west to Bhutan in the east. Eventually, as a result of boundary disputes and repeated raids by Gurkha columns into British territory, the Governor General declared war on Nepal in 1814.
After two long and bloody campaigns a Peace Treaty was signed at Sugauli in 1816.
A Gurkha commander during the Nepal Wars
During the war a deep feeling of mutual respect and admiration had developed between the British and their adversaries, the British being much impressed by the fighting and other qualities of the Gurkha soldier. Under the terms of the Peace Treaty large numbers of Gurkhas were permitted to volunteer for service in the East India Company's Army. From these volunteers were formed the first regiments of the Gurkha Brigade, and from this time stems Britain's friendship with Nepal, a country which has proved a staunch ally ever since and has become our 'oldest ally' in Asia.
Never has the trust that was then placed in the Gurkha soldier ever been in doubt. Alongside his British comrade in arms he has fought in many parts of the world and has proved himself to be of the closest of friends and bravest of allies that Britain has known.
Men of the Sirmoor Battalion (later the 2nd KEO VII Goorkhas) pictured outside Hindu Rao's house in 1857
Gurkhas of Navy and Army in 1896
'Keeping the Peace' in India under the British flag began for Gurkha soldiers with the Pindaree War in 1817, and the first battle honour gained by Gurkha troops was at Bhurtpore in 1826. The two senior regiments distinguished themselves in the hard fought battles of the 1st Sikh War in 1846, and six regiments of the Nepalese Army were offered to the East India Company for service in the 2nd Sikh War of 1848.
In the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858 the 2nd Goorkhas showed striking proof of their loyalty at Delhi where, together with the 60th Rifles (now part of The Rifles), they held Hindu Rao's house, the key to the British position which was under continuous fire from the mutineers, for over three months. During this period the 2nd Goorkhas suffered 327 casualties (including 8 of their 9 British Officers) out of a total strength of 490. Also during the mutiny, 12 Nepalese Army Regiments, a force of 8,000 men under the personal leadership of the Prime Minister of Nepal, took part in the final relief of Lucknow.
Gun team, 42nd Gurkha Light Infantry (later 6th Gurkha Rifles),
pictured with guns known as 'Bubble and Squeak' in 1890.
(http://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/7557.aspx)
After the East India Company
Throughout the next 50 years there was much active service in Burma, Afghanistan, the North-East and the North-West Frontiers of India, Malta, Cyprus, Malaya, China (the Boxer Rebellion of 1900) and Tibet (Young husband's Expedition of 1904).
Sikkim and Darjeeling: Revisiting history
Revisiting history
Jul 22,2008 00:00 by Dr. Sonam B Wangyal
PAPER READ ON 12 JULY 2008 IN THE SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY
GORKHA JANAMUKTI SECONDARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, KURSEONG CHAPTER, AT GORKHA LIBRARY
Dr. Sonam B Wangyal
Namastay, Nomoshkar, Khamri, Kuzo-zangbo, Tashi Deleg and Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my hearty congratulations to the members of the Gorkha Janamukti Secondary Teachers' Association for holding this seminar and inviting me to say a few words.
I will be reading this paper in English, not because I cannot read, write or speak in Nepali but because I can do it better in English. Ho, Nepalima yo paper parayko bha ajja mitho ra suwaudo hunay thiyo. Ma chhama chanhanchhu. Tara yuddama jasari jun hatiyar chalaunu subista hunchha tyahi chlainchha yaha malai Angrezi mero subhistako hatiyaar ho jasto laagchha. When I was a schoolboy about 40 years ago my school Dr. Graham's Homes, Kalimpong, did not have a Nepali Master. It was in my Senior Cambridge year that Mr Loben Lama was appointed to that post. So with just one solitary single year of Nepali classes I sat for the Senior Cambridge in 1968. My answer script was a total disaster, khatam bhanda pani khatam thiyo, but when the results came: I had passed with the skin of my tooth: junday ra pass bhayechha, actually examinerko daya amayalay malai pass garai diyekoho jasto laagchha. So that is my Nepali education, and now at this age I am learning the finer nuances of the language, the basics of grammar and I hope in a year or two things will change. My paper relates to the history of Darjeeling but it will not touch on the tea and cinchona industries, it will avoid development of education, local self government and I will not even touch upon the thirteen or fourteen times we have petitioned for a homeland of their own. But before I commence I would just like to state that 1907 petition for a separate homeland is the oldest, the senior-most of its kind in India. Ek saya barsa katyo, tyo demandko chhora-chhori, naati, panatiharulay pani statehood paisakyo tara hami aaja pani banchit chou. Anyway this paper will keep track of the early history of Darjeeling, its incorporation into the East India Company or the British Empire and the paper will end at when Darjeeling is joined to Bengal.
(1) THE THREE COMMUNITIES: BHUTIAS, GORKHAS & LEPCHAS
The history of Darjeeling has intimate relationship, nang ra masukojasto, to the history of Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and the East India Company and thereby to Britain. It will be appropriate to start from Kharsang for it was here that Maharajah Thodup Namgyal and Maharani Yeshay Dolma were imprisoned. jailed, locked up by the British and it was here that they wrote a historical book on Sikkim. It was translated into English by Kazi Daosamdup and he called it History of Sikkim. I have a copy of this rare document and therefore I will be extensively, freely and purposely quoting from it. In the manuscript the boundaries of Sikkim is defined as follows: "They were Dibdala in the North, Shingsa Dag-pay, Walung, Yangmak, Khangchen, Yarlung and Timar Chorten in the West, down along Arun and Dud Kosi Rivers, down to Maha Nodi, Nuxalbari, Titalia in the South. On the East Tagong La, and Tang La on the North." These boundaries were defined after the enthronement, coronation, the appointment of the first Chogyal of Sikkim, Phuntshog Namgyal, 1642 CE. The first things the new ruler did was to construct forts called dzongs which operated as the military and administrative units. To these dzongs he appointed dzongpens, or fort masters, the local administrators or chiefs and they were all Lepchas, thus the Lepchas were appeased, made happy, made content. But that left out the Limbus and the Magars. The Magars staunchly resisted Bhutia incursion and political domination, and they actually went to war against the new rulers. The fact that the Magars were pretty well organized can be assessed from the forts they built which the ruling community in Sikkim called them Magar-dzongs. Eventually, the Magars lost and a large part of them got pushed westwards. As far as the Limbus were concerned the Chogyal made a pact called Lho-mon-tsong-sum (lho-Bhutias, mon-Lepchas, tsong-Limbus, and sum-three), thus giving us the Bhutia-Lepcha-Limbu trinity.
Now what importance this patch of history has for us vis-à-vis the present political scenario! (1) The boundaries demarcated clearly shows that Darjeeling, Kharsang, Kalimpong and Siliguri were all in Sikkim and that the kingdom stretched all the way to Purnea in the south. (2) The Gorkha population was in sufficient numbers to wage a war against Sikkim, as in the case of Magars, and large enough for the Chogyal to seek allegiance (Lho-mon-tsong-sum), as in the case of the Limbus. And (3) This is the most significant of the points mentioned so far: that the Maharajah's History of Sikkim makes it absolutely certain that the Gorkhas were in the region even before the creation of Sikkim yaneki Sikkimko shristi, janma, sthapana bhanda dherai aghi dekhi nai hamro paharma Gorkhaharu thiyay.
(2) SIKKIM LOSES KALIMPONG
Tensung Namgyal became the next Chogyal. (1670) Most historians, looking for wars, coups, assassinations, and political intrigues insult and degrade his reign claiming nothing important or interesting happened. Actually something very important had happened. He married three times. History of Sikkim states that his first wife, Nambi Ongmu, was from Bhutan, and she gave birth to a daughter, Pande Ongmu. The second was from Tibet and she gave birth to a son, Chagdor Namgyal. The third Rani was the daughter of a Limbu chief named Yong-Yong Hang. The royal History also says that along with the daughter of Yong-Yong Hang seven other Limbu ladies got married to "highest kazis and ministers of Sikkim." When Tensung Namgyal died the daughter of the Bhutanese Rani staked her claim to the Sikkim gaddhi, after all, the male contender, Chagdor Namgyal, was a minor and she was an adult besides she was also the child of the first queen. The princess sought the help of the Bhutanese who willingly obliged. Pande Ongmuko gaddhiko loblay garda Bhutanlay auta sunowlo mouka paayay. Ani Dukpaharu Sikkim pasay. Balak raja ra mantriharu jyan bachuna Bhot tira suikucha thokay. In 1707 the Bhutanese withdrew but retained all Sikkimese territories to the east of the Tista River whereby our present day Kalimpong became a part of Bhutan.
Now let us go back to this portion of the history. (1) Tensung Namgyal by marrying daughters of important people indirectly purchased peace for Sikkim, after all uttarpatti haray ta Bhotko juwai sahib, paschim tira haray ta Limbu haruko juwai, ani Purba haray ta Bhutan ko juwai. Sikkimlai kaslay chai akraman garnay. So, kinachai Sikkimma shanty na hunu ra. Taraipani it is ironic that historians still ignore and even refuse to give him credit for winning …. peace. (2) It is said the too many cooks spoil the broth and Maharaha Tensung had two wives too many and Sikkim paid for it dearly. (3) It is most probable that Limbus were not too happy with the prevailing sutuation, despite the lho-mon-tsong-sum pact. Therefore besides making a Limbuni a Rani of Sikkim seven other ladies were also taken as wives by highest kazis and ministers of Sikkim. And finally, (4) Most people think that Kalimpong originally belonged to Bhutan but we now know that it was originally a part of Sikkim. Chotkarima, Kalaybung Sikkim bata Bhutanlay gavayko ani Bhutan bata Angrejlay pach pareko ho.
(3) ANGLO-NEPAL WAR
Now we move on to the 6th Chogyal, Tenzing Namgyal who ascended the Sikkimese throne in 1780. His reign was punctuated, interrupted and disturbed with skirmishes and battles with the Gorkhas. Then there was a period of lull and quiet and the Gorkhas used this period of calm and peace to launch a surprise attack. Sikkimese were completely taken aback by the sudden shock raids. Purna Ale led a group of Gorkhas who came through Ilam and penetrated as far as Reling, Karmi, and Chakung (1788). Another Gorkha force under the command of Johar Singh stealthily advanced through the Singalila and in a complete surprise swoop took over the palace at Rabdentse: Yaspali pani Raja, praja ani mantriharulay taap kasay, tara Bhot tira hoina, kholsa, orar, gufa, khola-nadiko bagar ani junglema sharan lina pugay. History of Sikkim mentions, "Thus the Gurkhas remained masters of Sikkim, beyond the Teesta, while the Raja took flight and all Sikkimites were compelled to take refuge in the valleys of the rivers, hills and caves, suffering privations and hardship." In 1790 Chogyal left his hiding and went to Tibet where he died three years later, and a boy of 12 years, Tsugphud Namgyal, was proclaimed the new Maharaja. It was during Tsugphud's kingship that the Anglo-Nepal war broke out. The British eventually challenged the Gorkhas through a five pronged attack and Sikkim sided with the British.
We must pause here to reflect on a few points. (1) Prithwinarayan Shah never wanted to attack Sikkim for the fear it might open up a fresh frontier of war with Tibet. However, the 1788 Gorkha move to penetrate deep into Sikkim signifies that the Gorkhas had grown confident enough to handle Sikkim and withstand a Tibetan attack. (2) The Gorkhas did not bother the Sikkimese hiding in the ravines, jungles and caves as long as the strategic posts like Rabdentse, Dorje-ling and Na-gri were secure. (3) Alliance with the British was the only hope for the Sikkim ruler to regain his lost territories and so he sided with the British. At the same time the British accepted Sikkim's gesture because (a) in the five-pronged British attack the eastern front was the weakest and Sikkim's assistance would offset that disadvantage to some extent. (b) With Sikkim as an ally any future alliance/intrigues between Nepal and Bhutan could be checked. And (c) It promised a possibility of trade with Tibet through Sikkim. After all East India Company was a trading company, the biggest ever in history.
(4) DISCOVERY OF DARJEELING
After the war the British restored to the Sikkim Maharaja the lands between Mechi and Tista Rivers through the treaty of Titalya. This treaty has nine functional Articles and the tenth one is just a protocol fulfillment. The first and the last operative or functional articles talk about restoring to Sikkim in full sovereignty and of the Company's guarantee to the Raja and his successors the full and peaceable possession of the tract. Each and every other Article in between took away from Sikkim, piece by piece, the basic entitlements of sovereignty, independence and freedom to function as an absolute nation . What became important to Darjeeling's history was Article Three which required, stipulated and stated that Sikkim was "to refer to the arbitration of the British Government any dispute or questions that may arise between his (i.e. Chogyal's) subjects and those of Nepal, or any other neighbouring State, and to abide by the decision of the British Government." This Article Three became operational when the Chogyal asked the East India Company to arbitrate on the Ontoo Dara dispute because both Sikkim and Nepal claimed the dara as its own. So as per the stipulation of Article Three Captain George Alymer Lloyd and J. W. Grant, the Commercial resident at Malda, were deputed to investigate and resolve the matter. It was on the journey to Ontoo Dara that the two men, in February 1829, stayed at Darjeeling for six days at "the old Goorka station called Dorjeling" and were "much impressed with the possibility of the station as a sanatarium." On 18 June 1829 Lloyd communicated to the government regarding the possibility of Darjeeling serving as a sanatarium while about the same time Grant also urged the government to possess the tract.
Now reflecting upon this chapter of history we note the following (1) The British kept their word and gave back to the Chogyal the lands between Mechi and Tista rivers. (2) This transfer of land was effected through the Treaty of Titalya in which the beginning and the end of the treaty were sugarcoated to make the Sikkimese happy. In between the British squeezed out much more than what they had given. Angrejlay gulchay khaylyo. And finally (3) A future Hill Station had been discovered by Lloyd and Grant and that hill station was called Dorje-ling and later as Darjeeling.
(5) DARJEELING BECOMES PART OF BRITISH INDIA
Lord William Bentinck, in June of 1830, proposed to commence negotiation with the Chogyal but this and another subsequent attempt were both struck down, stopped, by Sir C. Metcalfe, a Member of the Supreme Council, on the grounds that the neighbours might look at it with suspicion. Bentinck waited for almost four years and then ordered Major Lloyd to meet the Chogyal and negotiate the cession of Darjeeling "offering such equivalent either in land or money." To cut short the story Lloyd conveyed the Governor-General's message while the Chogyal placed three conditions viz (i) The Chogyal would quote a price and that should be paid, (ii) Sikkims border would be extended and (iii) Kummoo Pradhan, the tax collector who had fled to Nepal would be brought to Sikkim for execution of justice. What happened in between is rather vague but in a later meeting the Chogyal gave a short deed of grant. Since it did not define the boundaries of the land to be handed over, Lloyd produced his own deed on which the king stamped his lal mohar. The area defined in this deed became known as the Darjeeling tract and the British claimed it as their new asset. They were under the impression that the grant was unconditional but the Chogyal kept on complaining/ that he had not been compensated, in other words the grant was conditional. It might interest this august house to know that the original negotiation was to be only for the area of present-day Darjeeling town, i.e. the Observatory Hill and the surroundings, but in the stamped deed the area was, about 30 miles long from top to bottom and about six to ten miles along the sides. Now, when the sahibs began building roads and houses the Chogyal began to protest, and with the progress of development the protests grew stronger and louder. Eventually when the Company realized that the Chogyal had been wronged they sent a compensation consisting of:
One double-barrelled gun, a rifle, 20 yards of red broad cloth and two shawls.
Yeshlai bhancha asal helchyakrai: besharam Angrejlay andaaz 240 barga mile jaminko sattako laagi duiwata bundook, ek than luga ani duiwata shawl kun hisablay diyeko hola. Yo hamilay Gorkhaland mangda DGHC diyeko jastai ho, abha aeuta "Chhakka" Schedule pani dinchhu bhandaichha. The Chogyal's pleadings for a just compensation now grew even louder. Eventually the Sikkim ruler threw a devastating bomb, in the form of a letter, to Campbell, who had now taken over from Lloyd as the First Superintendent of the Darjeeling tract. The letter still exists and it claimed in no uncertain words that his three conditions had been accepted by Lloyd. The following is a part of the letter: "Lloyd promised that whatever money I should desire in return should be granted, that my territory should be extended the west to the Tambar River; that Kummoo Pradhan and his brother be delivered to me; and that the deficit in my revenue in their hands should be made good." The East India Company hurriedly offered a compensation of Rs 3,000 per annum which the ruler accepted with certain amount of displeasure. Nevertheless, the British now knew that the deed that they possessed, and the land they had acquired, were suspect, subject to questioning or of doubtful legality and that history would not treat it kindly. Another important fact that they realized was that the tract granted by the Maharaja was totally surrounded by Sikkimese territory and the approach road they were making was illegal because it went through Sikkim. The Chogyal could technically prohibit the British to make the road or even disallow them to pass through his Sikkim. Now with a suspect deed of grant and access to Darjeeling being only through Sikkimese soil the situation was not good at all. Something had to be done.
In examining the just mentioned episodes we find that (1) The deed of grant of Darjeeling could not become operative since the British had not met the conditions laid down by the Chogyal. Meet garnu saknay awastha panita thiyayna. Kummo Pradhan Nepalma guhar liyayra basako thiyo ani Angrez-Nepal majha kunai extradition treaty thiyayna. Chogyallay Sikkimko simana Tambar kholasamma baraidinay dawa rakheko thiyo tara tyo chhetra Sugauli Sandhima Nepallai deisakeko thiyo. Therefore these two conditions were impossible to meet and so the treaty was in effect invalid. (2) The best thing to do would have been to return Darjeeling tract to Sikkim. It was not done so because: three reasons (a) a lot of money had already been spent on the construction of the road, houses and staging posts, (b) a large number of Darjeeling plots had already been sold off, in Calcutta, and most of the buyers were men of money, matter and political muscle (c) the British desperately needed Darjeeling. Before Darjeeling was discovered the Himalayan region had Shimla, Chail and Mussoorie as hill stations serving the Europeans in North India, Central India had Mount Abu and Hazaribagh, South India had Mandapalle, Bangalore, Kotagiri, Ooty, and Kodaikanal, West India had Purandha and Mahabalshwar but Eastern India had no hill station. When Cherrapunji was taken over in 1829 the British thought they had that much sought after hill station but Cherra was the world's rainiest place and all hopes got literally washed away. Shillong was a close option but the Khasis refused to surrender, they were giving the British a hard time. So, every officer in India could rush off to their own hill station be he from North, south, west or central India, but the capital of India, the second city of the British empire, had nowhere to go to. Imagine the frustration, imagine the embarrassment, and imagine the desperation and you can imagine why the British would not give back Darjeeling. Finally point number (3) The Chogyal had in good faith blindly put his seal on the document produced by Lloyd. Yaha auta sanu kura bhannu chha. Lloyd chalak manchay thiyo. Uslay pesh gareko dalil Lapchay bhasama thiyo tara Raja thiyo Bhotay. Parnay echchha bhayetapani parnu nasaknay. So, Saheblay kinachai chhal-kapat garchha hola bhannay biswasma Sikkimpatti Maharajalay lalmohor thoki baakshinu bhayo.
(6) ANNEXATION OF DARJEELING
Yes, now the only option left for the British was to militarily annex the areas south of the Rumman and Rungit Rivers and thereby get free access to the tract and also make the deed of grant a document of no importance, because Darjeeling would now be British through military victory and not because the Maharaja had granted it. The opportunity to strike at Sikkim came when Joseph Dalton Hooker, a botanist, and Campbell were arrested in Sikkim. Sikkim claimed that their entry was illegal and the British claimed that the Chogyal had issued them entry permits. Over this issue the British troops marched into Sikkim. Campbell and his soldiers crossed the Rangit River and stayed for several weeks along the northern bank. Sikkim did not contest and the troops returned and the British announced to the villagers that the area was now a property of the British government. This annexed area consisted of the Sikkim terai, and hill areas south of the Rumman Nadi, west of the Bara Rangit and Tista rivers and the hills to the east of the Nepal frontier.
Yaha auta thulo prashna aucha, question chha: Kay Hookerkoma Chogyallay diyeko permit sachinai thiyo ra? Permit raheko bhayay Sikkimko sarkari karmachari harulai kina dekhaunu sakena ya dekhayayna? Hamro paharko bisaya liyera Hooker saheblay dui wata moto moto kitabharu lekhnu bhayo jaha gumbako, phoolko, padam baas etyadiko assi wata jasto chitra chha tara tyo mahatapurna permitko kunai chitra chhaina. Permit nai thiyena bhanay chitra kaha bata chhapaunay. In 1983, 135 years after his arrest there was great excitement in England because some hand written manuscript in vernacular was found amongst some old papers of Sir Joseph Hooker. Could they be the permit issued by the Maharajah of Sikkim? Unable to read the script Xerox of the same was sent to my teacher and friend, the world famous linguist, Professor Richard Keith Sprigg. Eeesh, pramaan chha bhanna lai Angrez haru tayar bha-ay. Professor Sprigg had to inform his fellow Englishmen that the papers were not the permit but the accounts of daily purchases and other expenses. Tyo kaagzharu ta Hooker sahibko baidarbabulay prati dinko kharcha, samanko daam etyadi, Lepcha lipima lekhekopo raicha. Angrez haru aja pani praman khojdai chha bhanchha. Khojos! Paunay kaha bata!
(7) DARJEELING PUSHED INTO BENGAL
The present-day sub-division of Kalimpong along with the Duars became British property following the defeat of the Bhutanese in the Anglo-Bhutan war in November 1865. It was first put under the Deputy Commissioner of Western Duars but in 1866 it was transferred to the District of Darjeeling giving the district its final shape. Initially, this new district was treated differently and was designated as a "NON-REGULATION District" meaning any Act or Regulation passed in the Bengal Presidency did not come into force in district unless they were specially extended to it. In 1919 when the Government of India Act formed the Legislative Council, Darjeeling was not required to send a member to it. The district was excluded and declared a BACKWARD TRACT and the administration was under the Governor in Council. Even the administrative expenses were not required to be passed by Bengal Government. Furthermore, any Act passed by Bengal Government, which automatically extended to whole of Bengal, would not apply to Darjeeling if the Governor in Council decided to reject it. This in a very subtle way brought our hills a little closer to Bengal, because it also meant that any law passed by the Bengal Government could be applicable to Darjeeling if the Governor did not reject it. This arrangement lasted for another 15 years. Then the black year came and ironically that was Darjeeling's centenary year under the British. The British Government passed an Act in 1935 requiring the three hill subdivisions to send a representative to Bengal Legislative Assembly and Dambarsingh Gurung became Darjeeling's MLA to Bengal. Darjeeling was now pushed into Bengal.
Now we come to the final review: It is patent and historically authenticated that Darjeeling was never a part of Bengal. When Bengal was partitioned in 1905 our Bengali brothers claimed that no one was consulted, no opinion was entertained, no fore-warning was given and no explanation was provided. Bengal and the intellectuals of India rose up as one against the partition. Let our friends not forget that when Darjeeling was merged to Bengal no one was consulted, no opinion was entertained, and that no fore-warning was given and no explanation was provided. Keeping these facts in mind would it not be logical if Bengal joined us in saying "Gorkhaland hunu parcha", "Shatyi, Gorkhaland huwa uuchit" po bhannu parnay. Why do Bengal politicians keep harping and shouting that Bengal will not be partitioned again. Creating Gorkhaland is not a partition but a just, realistic and honourable act of giving back what was never part of Bengal. Instead Bengal should apologize for holding on to the hills for so many years. Our language is different, our physiognomy or physical structure is different, our food habits, music, drama, dances, and clothes are different, the whole cultural milieu is different, even the Hinduism and Buddhism practiced by Bengal and Gorkhaland are different. Geographically we are in the hills and mountains and Bengal is in the plains and so our biology, zoology, climatology and even the associated benefits and disasters of the two regions are different. We do not share the same script, we do not share the same mentality and most of all we do not have a shared history. If we look back to the period before we were pushed, forcibly joined, attached without consent, and made a part of Bengal merely for the sake of administrative convenience we find that we shared no connection with Bengal. How can we share a common future when we do not share a common past! No amount of legislation, state power, gentle cajoling or even brute force can bind two people with uncommon history: Soviet Union is an example, Yugoslavia is an example and Gorkhaland will be another example. Finally, mailay hazurharuko dherai samai liyay, I would like to end with the words of a Bengali intellectual: "Happy Gorkhas in Gorkhaland are any day better for Bengalis than angry Gorkhas in Bengal."
Jai Gorkha
Jai Hind
Jul 22,2008 00:00 by Dr. Sonam B Wangyal
PAPER READ ON 12 JULY 2008 IN THE SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY
GORKHA JANAMUKTI SECONDARY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, KURSEONG CHAPTER, AT GORKHA LIBRARY
Dr. Sonam B Wangyal
Namastay, Nomoshkar, Khamri, Kuzo-zangbo, Tashi Deleg and Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my hearty congratulations to the members of the Gorkha Janamukti Secondary Teachers' Association for holding this seminar and inviting me to say a few words.
I will be reading this paper in English, not because I cannot read, write or speak in Nepali but because I can do it better in English. Ho, Nepalima yo paper parayko bha ajja mitho ra suwaudo hunay thiyo. Ma chhama chanhanchhu. Tara yuddama jasari jun hatiyar chalaunu subista hunchha tyahi chlainchha yaha malai Angrezi mero subhistako hatiyaar ho jasto laagchha. When I was a schoolboy about 40 years ago my school Dr. Graham's Homes, Kalimpong, did not have a Nepali Master. It was in my Senior Cambridge year that Mr Loben Lama was appointed to that post. So with just one solitary single year of Nepali classes I sat for the Senior Cambridge in 1968. My answer script was a total disaster, khatam bhanda pani khatam thiyo, but when the results came: I had passed with the skin of my tooth: junday ra pass bhayechha, actually examinerko daya amayalay malai pass garai diyekoho jasto laagchha. So that is my Nepali education, and now at this age I am learning the finer nuances of the language, the basics of grammar and I hope in a year or two things will change. My paper relates to the history of Darjeeling but it will not touch on the tea and cinchona industries, it will avoid development of education, local self government and I will not even touch upon the thirteen or fourteen times we have petitioned for a homeland of their own. But before I commence I would just like to state that 1907 petition for a separate homeland is the oldest, the senior-most of its kind in India. Ek saya barsa katyo, tyo demandko chhora-chhori, naati, panatiharulay pani statehood paisakyo tara hami aaja pani banchit chou. Anyway this paper will keep track of the early history of Darjeeling, its incorporation into the East India Company or the British Empire and the paper will end at when Darjeeling is joined to Bengal.
(1) THE THREE COMMUNITIES: BHUTIAS, GORKHAS & LEPCHAS
The history of Darjeeling has intimate relationship, nang ra masukojasto, to the history of Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and the East India Company and thereby to Britain. It will be appropriate to start from Kharsang for it was here that Maharajah Thodup Namgyal and Maharani Yeshay Dolma were imprisoned. jailed, locked up by the British and it was here that they wrote a historical book on Sikkim. It was translated into English by Kazi Daosamdup and he called it History of Sikkim. I have a copy of this rare document and therefore I will be extensively, freely and purposely quoting from it. In the manuscript the boundaries of Sikkim is defined as follows: "They were Dibdala in the North, Shingsa Dag-pay, Walung, Yangmak, Khangchen, Yarlung and Timar Chorten in the West, down along Arun and Dud Kosi Rivers, down to Maha Nodi, Nuxalbari, Titalia in the South. On the East Tagong La, and Tang La on the North." These boundaries were defined after the enthronement, coronation, the appointment of the first Chogyal of Sikkim, Phuntshog Namgyal, 1642 CE. The first things the new ruler did was to construct forts called dzongs which operated as the military and administrative units. To these dzongs he appointed dzongpens, or fort masters, the local administrators or chiefs and they were all Lepchas, thus the Lepchas were appeased, made happy, made content. But that left out the Limbus and the Magars. The Magars staunchly resisted Bhutia incursion and political domination, and they actually went to war against the new rulers. The fact that the Magars were pretty well organized can be assessed from the forts they built which the ruling community in Sikkim called them Magar-dzongs. Eventually, the Magars lost and a large part of them got pushed westwards. As far as the Limbus were concerned the Chogyal made a pact called Lho-mon-tsong-sum (lho-Bhutias, mon-Lepchas, tsong-Limbus, and sum-three), thus giving us the Bhutia-Lepcha-Limbu trinity.
Now what importance this patch of history has for us vis-à-vis the present political scenario! (1) The boundaries demarcated clearly shows that Darjeeling, Kharsang, Kalimpong and Siliguri were all in Sikkim and that the kingdom stretched all the way to Purnea in the south. (2) The Gorkha population was in sufficient numbers to wage a war against Sikkim, as in the case of Magars, and large enough for the Chogyal to seek allegiance (Lho-mon-tsong-sum), as in the case of the Limbus. And (3) This is the most significant of the points mentioned so far: that the Maharajah's History of Sikkim makes it absolutely certain that the Gorkhas were in the region even before the creation of Sikkim yaneki Sikkimko shristi, janma, sthapana bhanda dherai aghi dekhi nai hamro paharma Gorkhaharu thiyay.
(2) SIKKIM LOSES KALIMPONG
Tensung Namgyal became the next Chogyal. (1670) Most historians, looking for wars, coups, assassinations, and political intrigues insult and degrade his reign claiming nothing important or interesting happened. Actually something very important had happened. He married three times. History of Sikkim states that his first wife, Nambi Ongmu, was from Bhutan, and she gave birth to a daughter, Pande Ongmu. The second was from Tibet and she gave birth to a son, Chagdor Namgyal. The third Rani was the daughter of a Limbu chief named Yong-Yong Hang. The royal History also says that along with the daughter of Yong-Yong Hang seven other Limbu ladies got married to "highest kazis and ministers of Sikkim." When Tensung Namgyal died the daughter of the Bhutanese Rani staked her claim to the Sikkim gaddhi, after all, the male contender, Chagdor Namgyal, was a minor and she was an adult besides she was also the child of the first queen. The princess sought the help of the Bhutanese who willingly obliged. Pande Ongmuko gaddhiko loblay garda Bhutanlay auta sunowlo mouka paayay. Ani Dukpaharu Sikkim pasay. Balak raja ra mantriharu jyan bachuna Bhot tira suikucha thokay. In 1707 the Bhutanese withdrew but retained all Sikkimese territories to the east of the Tista River whereby our present day Kalimpong became a part of Bhutan.
Now let us go back to this portion of the history. (1) Tensung Namgyal by marrying daughters of important people indirectly purchased peace for Sikkim, after all uttarpatti haray ta Bhotko juwai sahib, paschim tira haray ta Limbu haruko juwai, ani Purba haray ta Bhutan ko juwai. Sikkimlai kaslay chai akraman garnay. So, kinachai Sikkimma shanty na hunu ra. Taraipani it is ironic that historians still ignore and even refuse to give him credit for winning …. peace. (2) It is said the too many cooks spoil the broth and Maharaha Tensung had two wives too many and Sikkim paid for it dearly. (3) It is most probable that Limbus were not too happy with the prevailing sutuation, despite the lho-mon-tsong-sum pact. Therefore besides making a Limbuni a Rani of Sikkim seven other ladies were also taken as wives by highest kazis and ministers of Sikkim. And finally, (4) Most people think that Kalimpong originally belonged to Bhutan but we now know that it was originally a part of Sikkim. Chotkarima, Kalaybung Sikkim bata Bhutanlay gavayko ani Bhutan bata Angrejlay pach pareko ho.
(3) ANGLO-NEPAL WAR
Now we move on to the 6th Chogyal, Tenzing Namgyal who ascended the Sikkimese throne in 1780. His reign was punctuated, interrupted and disturbed with skirmishes and battles with the Gorkhas. Then there was a period of lull and quiet and the Gorkhas used this period of calm and peace to launch a surprise attack. Sikkimese were completely taken aback by the sudden shock raids. Purna Ale led a group of Gorkhas who came through Ilam and penetrated as far as Reling, Karmi, and Chakung (1788). Another Gorkha force under the command of Johar Singh stealthily advanced through the Singalila and in a complete surprise swoop took over the palace at Rabdentse: Yaspali pani Raja, praja ani mantriharulay taap kasay, tara Bhot tira hoina, kholsa, orar, gufa, khola-nadiko bagar ani junglema sharan lina pugay. History of Sikkim mentions, "Thus the Gurkhas remained masters of Sikkim, beyond the Teesta, while the Raja took flight and all Sikkimites were compelled to take refuge in the valleys of the rivers, hills and caves, suffering privations and hardship." In 1790 Chogyal left his hiding and went to Tibet where he died three years later, and a boy of 12 years, Tsugphud Namgyal, was proclaimed the new Maharaja. It was during Tsugphud's kingship that the Anglo-Nepal war broke out. The British eventually challenged the Gorkhas through a five pronged attack and Sikkim sided with the British.
We must pause here to reflect on a few points. (1) Prithwinarayan Shah never wanted to attack Sikkim for the fear it might open up a fresh frontier of war with Tibet. However, the 1788 Gorkha move to penetrate deep into Sikkim signifies that the Gorkhas had grown confident enough to handle Sikkim and withstand a Tibetan attack. (2) The Gorkhas did not bother the Sikkimese hiding in the ravines, jungles and caves as long as the strategic posts like Rabdentse, Dorje-ling and Na-gri were secure. (3) Alliance with the British was the only hope for the Sikkim ruler to regain his lost territories and so he sided with the British. At the same time the British accepted Sikkim's gesture because (a) in the five-pronged British attack the eastern front was the weakest and Sikkim's assistance would offset that disadvantage to some extent. (b) With Sikkim as an ally any future alliance/intrigues between Nepal and Bhutan could be checked. And (c) It promised a possibility of trade with Tibet through Sikkim. After all East India Company was a trading company, the biggest ever in history.
(4) DISCOVERY OF DARJEELING
After the war the British restored to the Sikkim Maharaja the lands between Mechi and Tista Rivers through the treaty of Titalya. This treaty has nine functional Articles and the tenth one is just a protocol fulfillment. The first and the last operative or functional articles talk about restoring to Sikkim in full sovereignty and of the Company's guarantee to the Raja and his successors the full and peaceable possession of the tract. Each and every other Article in between took away from Sikkim, piece by piece, the basic entitlements of sovereignty, independence and freedom to function as an absolute nation . What became important to Darjeeling's history was Article Three which required, stipulated and stated that Sikkim was "to refer to the arbitration of the British Government any dispute or questions that may arise between his (i.e. Chogyal's) subjects and those of Nepal, or any other neighbouring State, and to abide by the decision of the British Government." This Article Three became operational when the Chogyal asked the East India Company to arbitrate on the Ontoo Dara dispute because both Sikkim and Nepal claimed the dara as its own. So as per the stipulation of Article Three Captain George Alymer Lloyd and J. W. Grant, the Commercial resident at Malda, were deputed to investigate and resolve the matter. It was on the journey to Ontoo Dara that the two men, in February 1829, stayed at Darjeeling for six days at "the old Goorka station called Dorjeling" and were "much impressed with the possibility of the station as a sanatarium." On 18 June 1829 Lloyd communicated to the government regarding the possibility of Darjeeling serving as a sanatarium while about the same time Grant also urged the government to possess the tract.
Now reflecting upon this chapter of history we note the following (1) The British kept their word and gave back to the Chogyal the lands between Mechi and Tista rivers. (2) This transfer of land was effected through the Treaty of Titalya in which the beginning and the end of the treaty were sugarcoated to make the Sikkimese happy. In between the British squeezed out much more than what they had given. Angrejlay gulchay khaylyo. And finally (3) A future Hill Station had been discovered by Lloyd and Grant and that hill station was called Dorje-ling and later as Darjeeling.
(5) DARJEELING BECOMES PART OF BRITISH INDIA
Lord William Bentinck, in June of 1830, proposed to commence negotiation with the Chogyal but this and another subsequent attempt were both struck down, stopped, by Sir C. Metcalfe, a Member of the Supreme Council, on the grounds that the neighbours might look at it with suspicion. Bentinck waited for almost four years and then ordered Major Lloyd to meet the Chogyal and negotiate the cession of Darjeeling "offering such equivalent either in land or money." To cut short the story Lloyd conveyed the Governor-General's message while the Chogyal placed three conditions viz (i) The Chogyal would quote a price and that should be paid, (ii) Sikkims border would be extended and (iii) Kummoo Pradhan, the tax collector who had fled to Nepal would be brought to Sikkim for execution of justice. What happened in between is rather vague but in a later meeting the Chogyal gave a short deed of grant. Since it did not define the boundaries of the land to be handed over, Lloyd produced his own deed on which the king stamped his lal mohar. The area defined in this deed became known as the Darjeeling tract and the British claimed it as their new asset. They were under the impression that the grant was unconditional but the Chogyal kept on complaining/ that he had not been compensated, in other words the grant was conditional. It might interest this august house to know that the original negotiation was to be only for the area of present-day Darjeeling town, i.e. the Observatory Hill and the surroundings, but in the stamped deed the area was, about 30 miles long from top to bottom and about six to ten miles along the sides. Now, when the sahibs began building roads and houses the Chogyal began to protest, and with the progress of development the protests grew stronger and louder. Eventually when the Company realized that the Chogyal had been wronged they sent a compensation consisting of:
One double-barrelled gun, a rifle, 20 yards of red broad cloth and two shawls.
Yeshlai bhancha asal helchyakrai: besharam Angrejlay andaaz 240 barga mile jaminko sattako laagi duiwata bundook, ek than luga ani duiwata shawl kun hisablay diyeko hola. Yo hamilay Gorkhaland mangda DGHC diyeko jastai ho, abha aeuta "Chhakka" Schedule pani dinchhu bhandaichha. The Chogyal's pleadings for a just compensation now grew even louder. Eventually the Sikkim ruler threw a devastating bomb, in the form of a letter, to Campbell, who had now taken over from Lloyd as the First Superintendent of the Darjeeling tract. The letter still exists and it claimed in no uncertain words that his three conditions had been accepted by Lloyd. The following is a part of the letter: "Lloyd promised that whatever money I should desire in return should be granted, that my territory should be extended the west to the Tambar River; that Kummoo Pradhan and his brother be delivered to me; and that the deficit in my revenue in their hands should be made good." The East India Company hurriedly offered a compensation of Rs 3,000 per annum which the ruler accepted with certain amount of displeasure. Nevertheless, the British now knew that the deed that they possessed, and the land they had acquired, were suspect, subject to questioning or of doubtful legality and that history would not treat it kindly. Another important fact that they realized was that the tract granted by the Maharaja was totally surrounded by Sikkimese territory and the approach road they were making was illegal because it went through Sikkim. The Chogyal could technically prohibit the British to make the road or even disallow them to pass through his Sikkim. Now with a suspect deed of grant and access to Darjeeling being only through Sikkimese soil the situation was not good at all. Something had to be done.
In examining the just mentioned episodes we find that (1) The deed of grant of Darjeeling could not become operative since the British had not met the conditions laid down by the Chogyal. Meet garnu saknay awastha panita thiyayna. Kummo Pradhan Nepalma guhar liyayra basako thiyo ani Angrez-Nepal majha kunai extradition treaty thiyayna. Chogyallay Sikkimko simana Tambar kholasamma baraidinay dawa rakheko thiyo tara tyo chhetra Sugauli Sandhima Nepallai deisakeko thiyo. Therefore these two conditions were impossible to meet and so the treaty was in effect invalid. (2) The best thing to do would have been to return Darjeeling tract to Sikkim. It was not done so because: three reasons (a) a lot of money had already been spent on the construction of the road, houses and staging posts, (b) a large number of Darjeeling plots had already been sold off, in Calcutta, and most of the buyers were men of money, matter and political muscle (c) the British desperately needed Darjeeling. Before Darjeeling was discovered the Himalayan region had Shimla, Chail and Mussoorie as hill stations serving the Europeans in North India, Central India had Mount Abu and Hazaribagh, South India had Mandapalle, Bangalore, Kotagiri, Ooty, and Kodaikanal, West India had Purandha and Mahabalshwar but Eastern India had no hill station. When Cherrapunji was taken over in 1829 the British thought they had that much sought after hill station but Cherra was the world's rainiest place and all hopes got literally washed away. Shillong was a close option but the Khasis refused to surrender, they were giving the British a hard time. So, every officer in India could rush off to their own hill station be he from North, south, west or central India, but the capital of India, the second city of the British empire, had nowhere to go to. Imagine the frustration, imagine the embarrassment, and imagine the desperation and you can imagine why the British would not give back Darjeeling. Finally point number (3) The Chogyal had in good faith blindly put his seal on the document produced by Lloyd. Yaha auta sanu kura bhannu chha. Lloyd chalak manchay thiyo. Uslay pesh gareko dalil Lapchay bhasama thiyo tara Raja thiyo Bhotay. Parnay echchha bhayetapani parnu nasaknay. So, Saheblay kinachai chhal-kapat garchha hola bhannay biswasma Sikkimpatti Maharajalay lalmohor thoki baakshinu bhayo.
(6) ANNEXATION OF DARJEELING
Yes, now the only option left for the British was to militarily annex the areas south of the Rumman and Rungit Rivers and thereby get free access to the tract and also make the deed of grant a document of no importance, because Darjeeling would now be British through military victory and not because the Maharaja had granted it. The opportunity to strike at Sikkim came when Joseph Dalton Hooker, a botanist, and Campbell were arrested in Sikkim. Sikkim claimed that their entry was illegal and the British claimed that the Chogyal had issued them entry permits. Over this issue the British troops marched into Sikkim. Campbell and his soldiers crossed the Rangit River and stayed for several weeks along the northern bank. Sikkim did not contest and the troops returned and the British announced to the villagers that the area was now a property of the British government. This annexed area consisted of the Sikkim terai, and hill areas south of the Rumman Nadi, west of the Bara Rangit and Tista rivers and the hills to the east of the Nepal frontier.
Yaha auta thulo prashna aucha, question chha: Kay Hookerkoma Chogyallay diyeko permit sachinai thiyo ra? Permit raheko bhayay Sikkimko sarkari karmachari harulai kina dekhaunu sakena ya dekhayayna? Hamro paharko bisaya liyera Hooker saheblay dui wata moto moto kitabharu lekhnu bhayo jaha gumbako, phoolko, padam baas etyadiko assi wata jasto chitra chha tara tyo mahatapurna permitko kunai chitra chhaina. Permit nai thiyena bhanay chitra kaha bata chhapaunay. In 1983, 135 years after his arrest there was great excitement in England because some hand written manuscript in vernacular was found amongst some old papers of Sir Joseph Hooker. Could they be the permit issued by the Maharajah of Sikkim? Unable to read the script Xerox of the same was sent to my teacher and friend, the world famous linguist, Professor Richard Keith Sprigg. Eeesh, pramaan chha bhanna lai Angrez haru tayar bha-ay. Professor Sprigg had to inform his fellow Englishmen that the papers were not the permit but the accounts of daily purchases and other expenses. Tyo kaagzharu ta Hooker sahibko baidarbabulay prati dinko kharcha, samanko daam etyadi, Lepcha lipima lekhekopo raicha. Angrez haru aja pani praman khojdai chha bhanchha. Khojos! Paunay kaha bata!
(7) DARJEELING PUSHED INTO BENGAL
The present-day sub-division of Kalimpong along with the Duars became British property following the defeat of the Bhutanese in the Anglo-Bhutan war in November 1865. It was first put under the Deputy Commissioner of Western Duars but in 1866 it was transferred to the District of Darjeeling giving the district its final shape. Initially, this new district was treated differently and was designated as a "NON-REGULATION District" meaning any Act or Regulation passed in the Bengal Presidency did not come into force in district unless they were specially extended to it. In 1919 when the Government of India Act formed the Legislative Council, Darjeeling was not required to send a member to it. The district was excluded and declared a BACKWARD TRACT and the administration was under the Governor in Council. Even the administrative expenses were not required to be passed by Bengal Government. Furthermore, any Act passed by Bengal Government, which automatically extended to whole of Bengal, would not apply to Darjeeling if the Governor in Council decided to reject it. This in a very subtle way brought our hills a little closer to Bengal, because it also meant that any law passed by the Bengal Government could be applicable to Darjeeling if the Governor did not reject it. This arrangement lasted for another 15 years. Then the black year came and ironically that was Darjeeling's centenary year under the British. The British Government passed an Act in 1935 requiring the three hill subdivisions to send a representative to Bengal Legislative Assembly and Dambarsingh Gurung became Darjeeling's MLA to Bengal. Darjeeling was now pushed into Bengal.
Now we come to the final review: It is patent and historically authenticated that Darjeeling was never a part of Bengal. When Bengal was partitioned in 1905 our Bengali brothers claimed that no one was consulted, no opinion was entertained, no fore-warning was given and no explanation was provided. Bengal and the intellectuals of India rose up as one against the partition. Let our friends not forget that when Darjeeling was merged to Bengal no one was consulted, no opinion was entertained, and that no fore-warning was given and no explanation was provided. Keeping these facts in mind would it not be logical if Bengal joined us in saying "Gorkhaland hunu parcha", "Shatyi, Gorkhaland huwa uuchit" po bhannu parnay. Why do Bengal politicians keep harping and shouting that Bengal will not be partitioned again. Creating Gorkhaland is not a partition but a just, realistic and honourable act of giving back what was never part of Bengal. Instead Bengal should apologize for holding on to the hills for so many years. Our language is different, our physiognomy or physical structure is different, our food habits, music, drama, dances, and clothes are different, the whole cultural milieu is different, even the Hinduism and Buddhism practiced by Bengal and Gorkhaland are different. Geographically we are in the hills and mountains and Bengal is in the plains and so our biology, zoology, climatology and even the associated benefits and disasters of the two regions are different. We do not share the same script, we do not share the same mentality and most of all we do not have a shared history. If we look back to the period before we were pushed, forcibly joined, attached without consent, and made a part of Bengal merely for the sake of administrative convenience we find that we shared no connection with Bengal. How can we share a common future when we do not share a common past! No amount of legislation, state power, gentle cajoling or even brute force can bind two people with uncommon history: Soviet Union is an example, Yugoslavia is an example and Gorkhaland will be another example. Finally, mailay hazurharuko dherai samai liyay, I would like to end with the words of a Bengali intellectual: "Happy Gorkhas in Gorkhaland are any day better for Bengalis than angry Gorkhas in Bengal."
Jai Gorkha
Jai Hind
Monday, April 27, 2009
What constituted the Gurkha wariors?
Gurkhas: Skt. goraksa, “cowherd”), Tibeto-Mongolian Hindus of Nepal. The Gurkhas first came to Nepal in the 12th century, when they were driven out of northern India by the Muslims. The Gurkhas claim descent from the warlike Rajputs of northern India in the present state of Rajasthan, and they speak a Rajasthani Sanskrit dialect. In physique they are short and stocky. An attempt to extend their power southward resulted in the Gurkha War (1814–16) against Great Britain, in which they were defeated. Since that time, many of the Gurkhas, who were known for their excellent fighting, were recruited by the British military service in India and in the British colonies, serving in separate Gurkha regiments. Many of the so-called Gurkha soldiers, however, have been Nepalese of other tribes. The Gurkha troops used to carry short, broad-bladed swords called kukri, which they used in close combat instead of bayonets.
(An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited.
http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=211153
They first became known to the Western World when British commanders clashed with them in the hills of Nepal in 1816. After the war ended, the victorious British actively recruited their former foe for their own forces, and a military legend was born. They have been called "the ideal infantrymen" by those fortunate enough to command them. Brave, tough, patient and fiercely loyal, Gurkhas served in both World Wars, in conditions from the blistering deserts to the steamy jungles of Asia. THE GURKHAS tells the remarkable story of these storied soldiers, from their 19th century battles against the English to their astonishing success fighting for the British Empire in history's greatest conflicts.
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(An article from Funk & Wagnalls® New Encyclopedia. © 2006 World Almanac Education Group. A WRC Media Company. All rights reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by written agreement, uses of the work inconsistent with U.S. and applicable foreign copyright and related laws are prohibited.
http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=211153
They first became known to the Western World when British commanders clashed with them in the hills of Nepal in 1816. After the war ended, the victorious British actively recruited their former foe for their own forces, and a military legend was born. They have been called "the ideal infantrymen" by those fortunate enough to command them. Brave, tough, patient and fiercely loyal, Gurkhas served in both World Wars, in conditions from the blistering deserts to the steamy jungles of Asia. THE GURKHAS tells the remarkable story of these storied soldiers, from their 19th century battles against the English to their astonishing success fighting for the British Empire in history's greatest conflicts.
http://shop.history.com/detail.php?a=75071
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Magars in the History of Sikkim
Sikkim was inhabited in pre-historic times by three tribes namely Naong, Chang and the Mon. The Lepcha who entered Sikkim sometimes later absorbed them completely. The origin of Lepchas is shrouded in mistery but it seems that they belonged to the clan of the Nagas of the Mikir, Garo and Khasia hills which lie to the south of the Bramaputra valley. Some believe they came from somewhere on the borders of Tibet and Burma. According to their own tradition they came to Sikkim from the east in company with Jindaxs, who went to Nepal and shared their tradition. The Lepchas were a very peace loving people, deeply religious and shy, which characteristics they still have retained. They were in fact the children of nature, and worshipped nature or spirits of nature. These Lepcha lived quite close to the nature by way of leading sustenance. Some of them practiced shifting cultivation and raised grains like maize and millets. They led a tribal life at the beck and call of their tribal leader.
The credit of organizing them into some sort of a society goes to a person called Tur ve pa no. He was eventually elected leader of king called "Punu" sometimes in A. D. 1400. He was killed in a battle and was succeeded by three Kings - Tur Song Pa No, Tur Aeng Pa No and Tur Alu Pa No. The monarchy came to an end with the death of the last king. The Lepchas now resorted to the practice of electing a leader whose advice and counsel was sought on crucial matters and followed. The Tibetan migration in early 17th century led the Rongs to shift their habitats so as to avoid conflict. Meanwhile the struggle and conflicts among the followers of the "Yellow hats" and the "Red hats" in Tibet forced the latter to seek refuge in Sikkim, where they attained the status of aristocracy. Being aggressive they occupied lands, which was not registered by the docile Lepchas. These Tibetan migrants (the Bhutias as they came to be known) who were followers of the sect of 'Red Hats' now tried to convert these Sikkimese "Worshippers of nature" to Buddhism. They succeeded to some extent, though the Lepchas tried to keep themselves aloof as far as possible. In order to avoid any possible opposition from the Lepchas, these immigrants now chose one venerable person Phuntsok Namgyal as the temporal and spiritual leader of Sikkim, whose ancestry they traced from a legendary prince, who founded the Kingdom of Minvang in eastern Tibet in 9th century A.D. This dynasty ruled in the Chumbi and Teesta valley for a long time.
Somewhere in the Thirteenth century a prince named Guru Tashi of Minyang dynasty in Tibethad a divine vision that he should go south to seek his fortune in "Denzong- the valley of rice". As directed by the divine vision he along with his family, which included five sons, headed in the southern direction. The family during their wandering came across the Sakya Kingdom in which a monastery was being built at that time. The workers had not been successful in erecting pillars for the monastery. The elder son of Guru Tashi raised the pillar single handedly and thereby came to be known as "Kheye Bumsa" meaning the superior of ten thousand heroes.
The Sakya King offered his daughter in marriage to Khye Bumsa. Guru Tashi subsequently died and Khye Bumsa settled in Chumbi Valley and it was here that he established contacts with the Lepcha Chieftain Thekong Tek in Gangtok. Khye Bumsa being issueless went to Sikkim in the 13th century to seek the blessing of Thekong Tek who was also a religious leader. Khye Bumsa was not only blessed with three sons by the Rong chief but he also prophesied that his successors would be the rulers of Sikkim. Out of gratitude Khye Bumsa visited Thekong Tek a number of times. In due course of times the relationship ultimately culminated in a treaty of brotherhood between the two Chieftains at a place called Kabi Longtsok. This treaty brought about new ties of brotherhood between the Lepchas and the Bhutias.
Mipon Rab the third son of Khye Bumsa assumed the Chief-Ship after the death of his father. He had sons and the four principal clans of Sikkim are said to have sprung from these four sons. The fourth son Guru Tashi succeeded Mipon Rab and shifted to Gangtok. On the other hand after the death of Thekong Tek the Lepchas broke into minor clans. They also gradually turned to Guru Tashifor protection and leadership. Guru Tashi appointed a Lepcha, Sambre as his chief adviser and lieutenant. Guru Tashi's rule marked the absorption of the foreign ruling house into the native soil and also paved a way for a regular monarchy. This way Guru Tashi became the first ruler of Sikkim and was crowned as such. He was followed by Jowo Nagpo, Jowo Apha and Guru Tenzing who pursued the policy creating progressively amicable relation with Lepchas.
Phuntsok (or penchu) Namgyal was the next ruler. He was Guru Tenzing's son (great grandson of Guru Tashi) and was born in 1604. Phuntsok Namgyal's crowning was charged with all the vivid fantacy and miraculous phenomenon that is befitting to so important an occasion. Three venerable lamas are said to have entered sikkim from three different direction direction at the same time. They met at Yoksam (meaning three wise men) and began a debate on the desirability of having a temporal and religious head to rule over pagan Sikkim. Two of the lamas furthered their own claims but the third lama reminded them of the prophecy of Guru Padamsambhava that a man coming from east and Phuntsok by name would rule Sikkim. It was also told that none of them came from east hence the real man must be looked for. Messengers were sent to seek Phuntsok. Near Gangtok the desired youngman was found and lamas lost no time in crowning him the king. They seated him on a nearby rock slab and sprinkled water on him from the sacred urn. He was given one of Lhatsun Chenpo's (the lama told about prophecy) names, Namgyal, and the title of Chogyal or religious king. It happened in the year 1642. The Namgyal dynasty ruled over Sikkim as hereditary kings for about 332 years.
Phuntsok Namgyal, the first consecrated ruler ruled over a vast territory, many times the size of present Sikkim. His kingdom touched Thang La in the Tibet in the north, Tagong La near Paro in Bhutan in the east and the Titalia on the borders of West Bengal and Bihar in the south. The western border Timar Chorten on the Timar river in Nepal. Phuntsok though a distant descendant of Indrabodhi was now a Bhutia by his domicile. He was persuaded by the lamas enthroning him as Chogyal (Heavenly king or king who rules with righteousness) to seek recognition from Dalai Lama of Tibet. The Dalai Lama recognized Phuntsok Namgyal as the ruler of the southern slopes of the Himalayas (Sikkim) and is also credited to have sent ceremonial present such as the silken scarf bearing Dalai Lama's seal, the mitre(hat) of the Guru Rimpoche, the devil dagger (Phurpa) and the most precious sand image of the Guru. Consequently, the newly established Bhutia principality of Namgyal Dynasty was tied to Tibetan theocracy. Since then up to 19th century, the Bhutia rulers of Sikkim looked up to Tibet for protection against political foes. Phuntsok Namgyal proved to be an efficient and capable administrator. He divided his kingdom into twelve Dzongs i.e. districts and appointed Dzongpana i.e. governor for each. He also declared Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion, which continued to be the state religion under all the Namgyal rulers. He very tactfully kept the lepchas, Bhutias and Limbus together. The Governors were appointed from the lepchas who were then in majority. Since Yatung the greatest commercial Tibetan center being nearer to Gangtok posed some danger, he shifted his capital to Yoksom.
Phunstok Namgyal and the three saints immediately got to the task of successfully bringing the Lepcha tribes under the Buddhist fold. Politically, sikkim expanded its borders, which include Chumbi valley, the present Darjeeling district and a part of present-day Nepal and Bhutan. The capital of Sikkim was established in Yoksam itself.
Tensung Namgyal succeded his father Phuntsok Namgyal in 1670 and moved his capital to Rabdentse. He had three wives - a Tibetan, a Bhutanese and Limbu girl. The latter was the daughter of the Limbu chief Yo Yo-Hang. The chief's daughter brought with her seven girls who were later on married into important families of Sikkim. Many of them rose to the rank of councilors to the King. These councilors later on came to be known as Kazis who enjoyed immense power and privileges.
Chador Namgyal a minor son from Tensung's second wife succeeded on the death of his father. Pedi the daughter from the first wife who came from Bhutan challenged the succession and invited Bhutanese intervention. Having come to know about this secret move Yungthing Yeshe a loyal minister took the minor king to Lhasa. During his asylum in Lhasa, Chador Namgyal distinguished himself in Buddhist learning and Tibetan literature. By dint of his acumen and scholarship he rose to the position of state astrologer to the Sixth Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama was so much pleased with the erudition of this young scholar that he bestowed high honors and titles on the young king. The young king also received an estate in central Tibet with sovereign rights. On the other hand Bhutanese forces had captured the Rabdentse palace and imprisoned the son of Yugthing Yeshe. But on the intervention of Tibet, King Deb of Bhutan withdrew. Chador Namgyal came back and drove out the rest of Bhutanese forces. The south-eastern tract was, however, lost to sikkim as it had been heavily colonized by then.
The Bhutanese after a short while made a second attempt to capture Sikkim territory. Chador Namgyal gave a tough resistance but areas now called as Kalimpong and Rhenock were lost forever. Chador was himself religious and took steps for the propagation of Buddhist religion in his territory. He commanded that the second of every three sons of Bhutia family must be ordained a monk of the Pemiongchi Monastery, which was also open to the Tsongs. He not only built the Guru Lhakhang Tashiding (1715) and patronised the sacred places but also adapted the religious dances (mystery plays) to keep alive the martial and native traditions and invented an alphabet for the Lepchas. However, Pedi the half sister of the ruler did not reconcile. She conspired with a Tibetan man of medicine and caused Chador Namgyal's death by way of blood letting from a main artery while the king was holidaying at Ralang hot water spring in 1716. A force was sent to Namchi, the doctor was executed and Pedi was strangled to death by a silk scarf.
Gyurmed Namgyal succeeded his father Chador. Consequently upon a Mongol (Dzungar) invasion on Tibet to persecute Nyingma sect, the Mindoling Abbot's sister. In his times the people were forced to work on the fortification of Rabdentse in the fear of Gurkhas and Bhutanese raids. Many Tsongs who were not prepared to yield to forced labour fled to Limbuana, which became a rebel district and broke away from Sikkim even earlier to Gurkha expansion. A boundary dispute with Bhutan also arose. The Magar Chieftain Tashi Bidur also revolted, though he was subdued. Limbuana was, however, lost to Nepal. Gyurmed had no issue but while on his death bed at the age of 26 (1733) gave out that a nun in Sanga Choling was carrying his child. But some people do not believe it. It is said, he was impotent and generally shunned his wife.
Therefore, the story goes that in order to keep the Namgyal Dynasty going, the lama priest of Sikkim concocted a story that a nun was carrying the child of the King. Fortunately the nun delivered a male child and he was accepted as heir to Gyurmed. He was named as Phuntsok after the first temporal and the spiritual head of Sikkim.
Phuntsok Namgyal II was opposed by many people including some Bhutias on the plea of illegitimacy. Tamdang a close confident and treasurer of Gyurmed not only opposed the succession but assured the powers of the ruler and continued to rule Sikkim for three years inspite of the opposition by pro-king faction. The Lepchas backed the baby king and fought the pretender under the leadership of Chandzod Karwang. Tamdang was defeated and fled to Tibet to seek guidance and help. But to keep Sikkim under their Tutelage the Tibetan authorities favoured the minority of the king. A convention representing all shades of Sikkimese population was held which defined the functions, powers and responsibilities of the Government. The system of annual taxation was also introduced to augment the state treasury. The Magar tribe, lost its chieftain during this time and asked the regent to appoint the deceased's son as chieftain. But the regent expressed his inability to comply with their demand. This act enraged the Magars who sought the help and protection from Bhutan. This way Sikkim lost Magars allegiance forever. In the year 1752 the Tsongs rose in arms, but were subdued and won over by tactfully by Chandzod Karwang. The rise of Gurkhas also posed a threat for Sikkim. The later years of Phuntsok II witnessed Gurkhas inroads in Sikkim under the leadership of Raja Prithvi Narayan Shah of Nepal who formented the rebellious elements in Sikkim. Bhutan also invaded Sikkim and captured all area east of Tista, but withdrew to present frontiers after negotiation at Rhenock. The Gurkha inroads were beaten back seventeen times. A peace treaty with Nepal was signed in 1775, and Gurkhas promised to abstain from further attacks and collaboration with Bhutanese. But the Gurkhas at a later stage violated the treaty and occupied the land in western Sikkim. Phuntsok II had three queens but had a son Tenzing Namgyal from his second queen in 1769.
Tenzing Namgyal succeeded Phuntsok Namgyal in 1780. During the reign of Tenzing Namgyal, Nepali forces occupied large chunks of Sikkim territory. They attacked Rabdantse and the Chogyal had to flee to Tibet. The Nepalis excursions emboldened them to penetrate even into Tibet. This led to the Chinese intervention and Nepal was defeated. In the Sino-Nepal treaty, Sikkim lost some of its land to Nepal, but monarchy was allowed to be restored in the country. Tenzing Namgyal died in Lhasa and his son Tsudphud Namgyal was sent to Sikkim in 1793 to succeed him as the monarch. Rabdantse was now, considered too insecure because of its proximity to the Nepal border and Tshudphund Namgyal shifted the capital to a place called Tumlong.
The defeat of Nepal by the Chinese did little to weaken the expansionist designs of the Nepalese. They continued to make attacks into the neighbouring British territories and Sikkim. British India successfully befriended Sikkim. They felt that by doing so the expanding powers of the Gorkhas would be curtailed. British also looked forward to establishing trade link with Tibet and it was felt that the route through Sikkim was the most feasible one. War between Nepal and British India broke out in 1814 and came to an end in 1816 with the defeat of the Nepalis and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Sugauli. As a direct spin-off, British India signed another treaty with Sikkim in 1817 known as the Treaty of Titalia in which former territories, which the Nepalis captured, were restored to Sikkim. H. H. Risley writes in the Gazette of Sikkim, 1894, that by the Treaty of Titalia British India has assumed the position of Lord's paramount of Sikkim and a title to exercise a predominant influence in that State has remained undisputed.
The British became interested in Darjeeling both as a hill resort and an outpost from where Tibet and Sikkim would be easily accessible. Following a lot of pressure from the British, Sikkim finally gifted Darjeeling to British India on the understanding that a certain amount would be paid as annual subsidy to Sikkim. The gift deed was signed by the Chogyal Tsudphud Namgyal in 1835. The British appointed a superintendent in the ceded territory. The British however did not pay the compensation as had been stipulated and this led to a quick deterioration of relation between the two countries. There were also difference between the British Government and Sikkim over the status of people of Sikkim. Because of the increased importance of Darjeeling, many citizens of Sikkim mostly of the labor class started to settle there as British subjects. The migration disturbed the feudal lords in Sikkim who resorted to forcibly getting the migrants back to Sikkim. This annoyed the British Government, which considered these as acts of kidnapping of British citizens. The relations deteriorated to such an extent that when Dr. Campbell, the Superintendent of Darjeeling and Dr. Hooker visited Sikkim in connection with the latter's botanical research, they were captured and imprisoned in 1849. The British issued an ultimatum and the two captives were released after a month of detention. In February 1850, an expedition was sent to Sikkim, which resulted in the stoppage of the annual grant of Rs. 6000/- to the Maharaja of Sikkim and also the annexation of Darjeeling and a great portion of Sikkim to British India.
Sikkim resorted to making attacks into British territories and it was in November 1860 that the British sent an expeditionary force to Sikkim. This force was driven back from Rinchenpong in Sikkim. A stronger force was sent in 1861 that resulted in the capture of the capital Tumlong and the signing of a Treaty between the British and Sikkimese the same year.
His son Sidekeong Namgyal succeeded Tsugphud Namgyal in 1863. The British Government started the payment of annual subsidy of Rs. 6000/- in 1850 for Darjeeling. In an attempt to keep good relation with Sikkim, the British enhanced the subsidy to Rs. 12000/- per annum.
Chogyal Sidekong Namgyal defied in 1874 issueless and was succeeded by his half brother Thutob Namgyal. There were serious difference between the Nepalese settlers and the original inhabitants of Sikkim and this led to British intervention. The settlement went in favour of the Nepali settlers and made Thutob Namgyal have ill feeling for the British. He retreated to Chumbi and became more aligned towards the Tibetans.
The British meanwhile were making concerted efforts to establish a trade links with Tibet and also imposed their influence. A delegation led by Colman Macaulay, Financial Secretary to the Bengal Government of British India was sent to Sikkim in 1884 to explore the possibility of establishing a trade route with Tibet through the Lachen Valley. This delegation visited Tumlong the capital where it met the Maharaja.
The Britishers started building of roads in Sikkim. This was viewed with suspicion by Tibet and in 1886, some Tibetan militia occupied Lingtu in sikkim near Jelepla pass. In May 1888, the Tibetans attacked Gnathang below Jelepla but were driven away. In September of the same year the British called for reinforcements and the Tibetans were pushed back from Lingtu. A memorial was built at Gnathang for the few British soldiers who died in the engagement.
The Britishers appointed Claude White as the first political officer in Sikkim in 1889 and Chogyal Thutob Namgyal was virtually under his supervision. Thutob Namgyal shifted the capital from Tumlong to Gangtok in 1894. The Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital built in 1917 is named in the memory of Thutob Namgyal who died in 1914.
Alarmed by the growing Russian influence in Tibet and also to assert itself, the British sent an expedition led by Col. Younghusband to Lhasa via Jelepla in 1904. The expedition met with resistance from the Tibetan army, which was defeated, and a treaty was dictated by Younghusband on Tibet. The Treaty secured monopoly-trading privileges in Tibet for the British. Thutob Namgyal was succeeded by his son Sidekong Tulku in 1914. Unfortunately he did not live long and died in the same year. He was succeeded by his half brother Tashi Namgyal who promulgated many reforms in the state.
In 1947 when India became independent, Tashi Namgyal was successful in getting a special status of protectorate for Sikkim. This was in face of stiff resistance from local parties like Sikkim State Congress who wanted a democratic setup and accession of Sikkim to the Union of India. between India and Sikkim ratified the status of Sikkim as a protectorate with Chogyal as the Monarch. Tashi Namgyal died in 1963 and was succeeded by his son Palden Thondup Namgyal. By the beginning of 1970 there were rumbling in the political ranks and file of the State, which demanded the removal of Monarchy and the establishment of a democratic setup. This finally culminated in wide spread agitation against Sikkim Durbar in 1973.There was a complete collapse in the administration. The Indian Government tried to bring about a semblence of order in the state by appointing a Chief administrator Mr. B. S. Das. Further events and election led to Sikkim becoming transformed from a protectorate to an associate State. On 4th September 1947, the leader of Sikkim Congress, Kazi Lendup Dorji was elected as the Chief Minister of the state. The Chogyal however still remained as the constitutional figure head monarch in the new setup. Mr. B. B. Lal was the first Governor of Sikkim.
Events leading to the confrontation between the Chogyal and the popular Government caused Sikkim to become a full-fledged 22nd state of the Indian Union on 16th may 1975. The institution of Chogyal was subsequently abolished.
Since then Sikkim has been a state of the Indian Union like any other state. The 1979 assembly election saw Mr. Nar Bahadur Bhandari being elected as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. He has been returned to office in the election held in 1984 and 1989. In 1994 assembly election Mr. Pawan Kumar Chamling became the fifth Chief Minister of Sikkim.
Edited 4.27.2009
Courtesy: N.I.C. Gangtok, Sikkim.www.sikkim.nic.in/sws/sikk_his.htm
The credit of organizing them into some sort of a society goes to a person called Tur ve pa no. He was eventually elected leader of king called "Punu" sometimes in A. D. 1400. He was killed in a battle and was succeeded by three Kings - Tur Song Pa No, Tur Aeng Pa No and Tur Alu Pa No. The monarchy came to an end with the death of the last king. The Lepchas now resorted to the practice of electing a leader whose advice and counsel was sought on crucial matters and followed. The Tibetan migration in early 17th century led the Rongs to shift their habitats so as to avoid conflict. Meanwhile the struggle and conflicts among the followers of the "Yellow hats" and the "Red hats" in Tibet forced the latter to seek refuge in Sikkim, where they attained the status of aristocracy. Being aggressive they occupied lands, which was not registered by the docile Lepchas. These Tibetan migrants (the Bhutias as they came to be known) who were followers of the sect of 'Red Hats' now tried to convert these Sikkimese "Worshippers of nature" to Buddhism. They succeeded to some extent, though the Lepchas tried to keep themselves aloof as far as possible. In order to avoid any possible opposition from the Lepchas, these immigrants now chose one venerable person Phuntsok Namgyal as the temporal and spiritual leader of Sikkim, whose ancestry they traced from a legendary prince, who founded the Kingdom of Minvang in eastern Tibet in 9th century A.D. This dynasty ruled in the Chumbi and Teesta valley for a long time.
Somewhere in the Thirteenth century a prince named Guru Tashi of Minyang dynasty in Tibethad a divine vision that he should go south to seek his fortune in "Denzong- the valley of rice". As directed by the divine vision he along with his family, which included five sons, headed in the southern direction. The family during their wandering came across the Sakya Kingdom in which a monastery was being built at that time. The workers had not been successful in erecting pillars for the monastery. The elder son of Guru Tashi raised the pillar single handedly and thereby came to be known as "Kheye Bumsa" meaning the superior of ten thousand heroes.
The Sakya King offered his daughter in marriage to Khye Bumsa. Guru Tashi subsequently died and Khye Bumsa settled in Chumbi Valley and it was here that he established contacts with the Lepcha Chieftain Thekong Tek in Gangtok. Khye Bumsa being issueless went to Sikkim in the 13th century to seek the blessing of Thekong Tek who was also a religious leader. Khye Bumsa was not only blessed with three sons by the Rong chief but he also prophesied that his successors would be the rulers of Sikkim. Out of gratitude Khye Bumsa visited Thekong Tek a number of times. In due course of times the relationship ultimately culminated in a treaty of brotherhood between the two Chieftains at a place called Kabi Longtsok. This treaty brought about new ties of brotherhood between the Lepchas and the Bhutias.
Mipon Rab the third son of Khye Bumsa assumed the Chief-Ship after the death of his father. He had sons and the four principal clans of Sikkim are said to have sprung from these four sons. The fourth son Guru Tashi succeeded Mipon Rab and shifted to Gangtok. On the other hand after the death of Thekong Tek the Lepchas broke into minor clans. They also gradually turned to Guru Tashifor protection and leadership. Guru Tashi appointed a Lepcha, Sambre as his chief adviser and lieutenant. Guru Tashi's rule marked the absorption of the foreign ruling house into the native soil and also paved a way for a regular monarchy. This way Guru Tashi became the first ruler of Sikkim and was crowned as such. He was followed by Jowo Nagpo, Jowo Apha and Guru Tenzing who pursued the policy creating progressively amicable relation with Lepchas.
Phuntsok (or penchu) Namgyal was the next ruler. He was Guru Tenzing's son (great grandson of Guru Tashi) and was born in 1604. Phuntsok Namgyal's crowning was charged with all the vivid fantacy and miraculous phenomenon that is befitting to so important an occasion. Three venerable lamas are said to have entered sikkim from three different direction direction at the same time. They met at Yoksam (meaning three wise men) and began a debate on the desirability of having a temporal and religious head to rule over pagan Sikkim. Two of the lamas furthered their own claims but the third lama reminded them of the prophecy of Guru Padamsambhava that a man coming from east and Phuntsok by name would rule Sikkim. It was also told that none of them came from east hence the real man must be looked for. Messengers were sent to seek Phuntsok. Near Gangtok the desired youngman was found and lamas lost no time in crowning him the king. They seated him on a nearby rock slab and sprinkled water on him from the sacred urn. He was given one of Lhatsun Chenpo's (the lama told about prophecy) names, Namgyal, and the title of Chogyal or religious king. It happened in the year 1642. The Namgyal dynasty ruled over Sikkim as hereditary kings for about 332 years.
Phuntsok Namgyal, the first consecrated ruler ruled over a vast territory, many times the size of present Sikkim. His kingdom touched Thang La in the Tibet in the north, Tagong La near Paro in Bhutan in the east and the Titalia on the borders of West Bengal and Bihar in the south. The western border Timar Chorten on the Timar river in Nepal. Phuntsok though a distant descendant of Indrabodhi was now a Bhutia by his domicile. He was persuaded by the lamas enthroning him as Chogyal (Heavenly king or king who rules with righteousness) to seek recognition from Dalai Lama of Tibet. The Dalai Lama recognized Phuntsok Namgyal as the ruler of the southern slopes of the Himalayas (Sikkim) and is also credited to have sent ceremonial present such as the silken scarf bearing Dalai Lama's seal, the mitre(hat) of the Guru Rimpoche, the devil dagger (Phurpa) and the most precious sand image of the Guru. Consequently, the newly established Bhutia principality of Namgyal Dynasty was tied to Tibetan theocracy. Since then up to 19th century, the Bhutia rulers of Sikkim looked up to Tibet for protection against political foes. Phuntsok Namgyal proved to be an efficient and capable administrator. He divided his kingdom into twelve Dzongs i.e. districts and appointed Dzongpana i.e. governor for each. He also declared Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion, which continued to be the state religion under all the Namgyal rulers. He very tactfully kept the lepchas, Bhutias and Limbus together. The Governors were appointed from the lepchas who were then in majority. Since Yatung the greatest commercial Tibetan center being nearer to Gangtok posed some danger, he shifted his capital to Yoksom.
Phunstok Namgyal and the three saints immediately got to the task of successfully bringing the Lepcha tribes under the Buddhist fold. Politically, sikkim expanded its borders, which include Chumbi valley, the present Darjeeling district and a part of present-day Nepal and Bhutan. The capital of Sikkim was established in Yoksam itself.
Tensung Namgyal succeded his father Phuntsok Namgyal in 1670 and moved his capital to Rabdentse. He had three wives - a Tibetan, a Bhutanese and Limbu girl. The latter was the daughter of the Limbu chief Yo Yo-Hang. The chief's daughter brought with her seven girls who were later on married into important families of Sikkim. Many of them rose to the rank of councilors to the King. These councilors later on came to be known as Kazis who enjoyed immense power and privileges.
Chador Namgyal a minor son from Tensung's second wife succeeded on the death of his father. Pedi the daughter from the first wife who came from Bhutan challenged the succession and invited Bhutanese intervention. Having come to know about this secret move Yungthing Yeshe a loyal minister took the minor king to Lhasa. During his asylum in Lhasa, Chador Namgyal distinguished himself in Buddhist learning and Tibetan literature. By dint of his acumen and scholarship he rose to the position of state astrologer to the Sixth Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama was so much pleased with the erudition of this young scholar that he bestowed high honors and titles on the young king. The young king also received an estate in central Tibet with sovereign rights. On the other hand Bhutanese forces had captured the Rabdentse palace and imprisoned the son of Yugthing Yeshe. But on the intervention of Tibet, King Deb of Bhutan withdrew. Chador Namgyal came back and drove out the rest of Bhutanese forces. The south-eastern tract was, however, lost to sikkim as it had been heavily colonized by then.
The Bhutanese after a short while made a second attempt to capture Sikkim territory. Chador Namgyal gave a tough resistance but areas now called as Kalimpong and Rhenock were lost forever. Chador was himself religious and took steps for the propagation of Buddhist religion in his territory. He commanded that the second of every three sons of Bhutia family must be ordained a monk of the Pemiongchi Monastery, which was also open to the Tsongs. He not only built the Guru Lhakhang Tashiding (1715) and patronised the sacred places but also adapted the religious dances (mystery plays) to keep alive the martial and native traditions and invented an alphabet for the Lepchas. However, Pedi the half sister of the ruler did not reconcile. She conspired with a Tibetan man of medicine and caused Chador Namgyal's death by way of blood letting from a main artery while the king was holidaying at Ralang hot water spring in 1716. A force was sent to Namchi, the doctor was executed and Pedi was strangled to death by a silk scarf.
Gyurmed Namgyal succeeded his father Chador. Consequently upon a Mongol (Dzungar) invasion on Tibet to persecute Nyingma sect, the Mindoling Abbot's sister. In his times the people were forced to work on the fortification of Rabdentse in the fear of Gurkhas and Bhutanese raids. Many Tsongs who were not prepared to yield to forced labour fled to Limbuana, which became a rebel district and broke away from Sikkim even earlier to Gurkha expansion. A boundary dispute with Bhutan also arose. The Magar Chieftain Tashi Bidur also revolted, though he was subdued. Limbuana was, however, lost to Nepal. Gyurmed had no issue but while on his death bed at the age of 26 (1733) gave out that a nun in Sanga Choling was carrying his child. But some people do not believe it. It is said, he was impotent and generally shunned his wife.
Therefore, the story goes that in order to keep the Namgyal Dynasty going, the lama priest of Sikkim concocted a story that a nun was carrying the child of the King. Fortunately the nun delivered a male child and he was accepted as heir to Gyurmed. He was named as Phuntsok after the first temporal and the spiritual head of Sikkim.
Phuntsok Namgyal II was opposed by many people including some Bhutias on the plea of illegitimacy. Tamdang a close confident and treasurer of Gyurmed not only opposed the succession but assured the powers of the ruler and continued to rule Sikkim for three years inspite of the opposition by pro-king faction. The Lepchas backed the baby king and fought the pretender under the leadership of Chandzod Karwang. Tamdang was defeated and fled to Tibet to seek guidance and help. But to keep Sikkim under their Tutelage the Tibetan authorities favoured the minority of the king. A convention representing all shades of Sikkimese population was held which defined the functions, powers and responsibilities of the Government. The system of annual taxation was also introduced to augment the state treasury. The Magar tribe, lost its chieftain during this time and asked the regent to appoint the deceased's son as chieftain. But the regent expressed his inability to comply with their demand. This act enraged the Magars who sought the help and protection from Bhutan. This way Sikkim lost Magars allegiance forever. In the year 1752 the Tsongs rose in arms, but were subdued and won over by tactfully by Chandzod Karwang. The rise of Gurkhas also posed a threat for Sikkim. The later years of Phuntsok II witnessed Gurkhas inroads in Sikkim under the leadership of Raja Prithvi Narayan Shah of Nepal who formented the rebellious elements in Sikkim. Bhutan also invaded Sikkim and captured all area east of Tista, but withdrew to present frontiers after negotiation at Rhenock. The Gurkha inroads were beaten back seventeen times. A peace treaty with Nepal was signed in 1775, and Gurkhas promised to abstain from further attacks and collaboration with Bhutanese. But the Gurkhas at a later stage violated the treaty and occupied the land in western Sikkim. Phuntsok II had three queens but had a son Tenzing Namgyal from his second queen in 1769.
Tenzing Namgyal succeeded Phuntsok Namgyal in 1780. During the reign of Tenzing Namgyal, Nepali forces occupied large chunks of Sikkim territory. They attacked Rabdantse and the Chogyal had to flee to Tibet. The Nepalis excursions emboldened them to penetrate even into Tibet. This led to the Chinese intervention and Nepal was defeated. In the Sino-Nepal treaty, Sikkim lost some of its land to Nepal, but monarchy was allowed to be restored in the country. Tenzing Namgyal died in Lhasa and his son Tsudphud Namgyal was sent to Sikkim in 1793 to succeed him as the monarch. Rabdantse was now, considered too insecure because of its proximity to the Nepal border and Tshudphund Namgyal shifted the capital to a place called Tumlong.
The defeat of Nepal by the Chinese did little to weaken the expansionist designs of the Nepalese. They continued to make attacks into the neighbouring British territories and Sikkim. British India successfully befriended Sikkim. They felt that by doing so the expanding powers of the Gorkhas would be curtailed. British also looked forward to establishing trade link with Tibet and it was felt that the route through Sikkim was the most feasible one. War between Nepal and British India broke out in 1814 and came to an end in 1816 with the defeat of the Nepalis and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Sugauli. As a direct spin-off, British India signed another treaty with Sikkim in 1817 known as the Treaty of Titalia in which former territories, which the Nepalis captured, were restored to Sikkim. H. H. Risley writes in the Gazette of Sikkim, 1894, that by the Treaty of Titalia British India has assumed the position of Lord's paramount of Sikkim and a title to exercise a predominant influence in that State has remained undisputed.
The British became interested in Darjeeling both as a hill resort and an outpost from where Tibet and Sikkim would be easily accessible. Following a lot of pressure from the British, Sikkim finally gifted Darjeeling to British India on the understanding that a certain amount would be paid as annual subsidy to Sikkim. The gift deed was signed by the Chogyal Tsudphud Namgyal in 1835. The British appointed a superintendent in the ceded territory. The British however did not pay the compensation as had been stipulated and this led to a quick deterioration of relation between the two countries. There were also difference between the British Government and Sikkim over the status of people of Sikkim. Because of the increased importance of Darjeeling, many citizens of Sikkim mostly of the labor class started to settle there as British subjects. The migration disturbed the feudal lords in Sikkim who resorted to forcibly getting the migrants back to Sikkim. This annoyed the British Government, which considered these as acts of kidnapping of British citizens. The relations deteriorated to such an extent that when Dr. Campbell, the Superintendent of Darjeeling and Dr. Hooker visited Sikkim in connection with the latter's botanical research, they were captured and imprisoned in 1849. The British issued an ultimatum and the two captives were released after a month of detention. In February 1850, an expedition was sent to Sikkim, which resulted in the stoppage of the annual grant of Rs. 6000/- to the Maharaja of Sikkim and also the annexation of Darjeeling and a great portion of Sikkim to British India.
Sikkim resorted to making attacks into British territories and it was in November 1860 that the British sent an expeditionary force to Sikkim. This force was driven back from Rinchenpong in Sikkim. A stronger force was sent in 1861 that resulted in the capture of the capital Tumlong and the signing of a Treaty between the British and Sikkimese the same year.
His son Sidekeong Namgyal succeeded Tsugphud Namgyal in 1863. The British Government started the payment of annual subsidy of Rs. 6000/- in 1850 for Darjeeling. In an attempt to keep good relation with Sikkim, the British enhanced the subsidy to Rs. 12000/- per annum.
Chogyal Sidekong Namgyal defied in 1874 issueless and was succeeded by his half brother Thutob Namgyal. There were serious difference between the Nepalese settlers and the original inhabitants of Sikkim and this led to British intervention. The settlement went in favour of the Nepali settlers and made Thutob Namgyal have ill feeling for the British. He retreated to Chumbi and became more aligned towards the Tibetans.
The British meanwhile were making concerted efforts to establish a trade links with Tibet and also imposed their influence. A delegation led by Colman Macaulay, Financial Secretary to the Bengal Government of British India was sent to Sikkim in 1884 to explore the possibility of establishing a trade route with Tibet through the Lachen Valley. This delegation visited Tumlong the capital where it met the Maharaja.
The Britishers started building of roads in Sikkim. This was viewed with suspicion by Tibet and in 1886, some Tibetan militia occupied Lingtu in sikkim near Jelepla pass. In May 1888, the Tibetans attacked Gnathang below Jelepla but were driven away. In September of the same year the British called for reinforcements and the Tibetans were pushed back from Lingtu. A memorial was built at Gnathang for the few British soldiers who died in the engagement.
The Britishers appointed Claude White as the first political officer in Sikkim in 1889 and Chogyal Thutob Namgyal was virtually under his supervision. Thutob Namgyal shifted the capital from Tumlong to Gangtok in 1894. The Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital built in 1917 is named in the memory of Thutob Namgyal who died in 1914.
Alarmed by the growing Russian influence in Tibet and also to assert itself, the British sent an expedition led by Col. Younghusband to Lhasa via Jelepla in 1904. The expedition met with resistance from the Tibetan army, which was defeated, and a treaty was dictated by Younghusband on Tibet. The Treaty secured monopoly-trading privileges in Tibet for the British. Thutob Namgyal was succeeded by his son Sidekong Tulku in 1914. Unfortunately he did not live long and died in the same year. He was succeeded by his half brother Tashi Namgyal who promulgated many reforms in the state.
In 1947 when India became independent, Tashi Namgyal was successful in getting a special status of protectorate for Sikkim. This was in face of stiff resistance from local parties like Sikkim State Congress who wanted a democratic setup and accession of Sikkim to the Union of India. between India and Sikkim ratified the status of Sikkim as a protectorate with Chogyal as the Monarch. Tashi Namgyal died in 1963 and was succeeded by his son Palden Thondup Namgyal. By the beginning of 1970 there were rumbling in the political ranks and file of the State, which demanded the removal of Monarchy and the establishment of a democratic setup. This finally culminated in wide spread agitation against Sikkim Durbar in 1973.There was a complete collapse in the administration. The Indian Government tried to bring about a semblence of order in the state by appointing a Chief administrator Mr. B. S. Das. Further events and election led to Sikkim becoming transformed from a protectorate to an associate State. On 4th September 1947, the leader of Sikkim Congress, Kazi Lendup Dorji was elected as the Chief Minister of the state. The Chogyal however still remained as the constitutional figure head monarch in the new setup. Mr. B. B. Lal was the first Governor of Sikkim.
Events leading to the confrontation between the Chogyal and the popular Government caused Sikkim to become a full-fledged 22nd state of the Indian Union on 16th may 1975. The institution of Chogyal was subsequently abolished.
Since then Sikkim has been a state of the Indian Union like any other state. The 1979 assembly election saw Mr. Nar Bahadur Bhandari being elected as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. He has been returned to office in the election held in 1984 and 1989. In 1994 assembly election Mr. Pawan Kumar Chamling became the fifth Chief Minister of Sikkim.
Edited 4.27.2009
Courtesy: N.I.C. Gangtok, Sikkim.www.sikkim.nic.in/sws/sikk_his.htm
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