Merger of Sikkim with India 16 May 1975
My Dear Young Indians,
Today is 16 of May 2022.
47 years back on 16 May 1975, the Kingdom of Sikkim had merged with the Union of India.
On the western side of Sikkim is Nepal, on the eastern side is Bhutan and on the northern side is Tibet. Sikkim has three main communities- the Lepchas, the Bhutias and the Nepalis.
The history of the kingdom of Sikkim dates back to centuries. This is a story of struggle for power, existence and a ‘curse’.
Centuries back Sikkim was inhabited by the Lepchas. In the 17th century immigrants from Tibet (called Bhutias) stated settling in Sikkim.
The Bhuddist Bhutias wanted to convert this region into a Buddhist Kingdom.
The new palace of the Chogyal Phutsong Namgyal was referred to as ‘Su Khyim’.
Gradually the entire Kingdom came to be known as ‘Su Khyim’ or Sikkim.
There was a tussle for supremacy and existence between the Bhutias and Lepchas. Finally they made an agreement to co-exist.
The Lepchas claimed that the Namgyals had promised to give up Buddhism (as part of the agreement) but they did not keep this promise. Because of this deceit the Namgyal dynasty was cursed (as per the Lepchas). The curse was that the eldest sons of the Namgyal family in every generation would die an un-natural death.
The third community- Nepalis were settled in the southern part of Sikkim. They were larger in number but poor and not powerful.
In the 19th century, the British became powerful in India.
They were interested in Sikkim because of its strategic importance. Sikkim provided a gateway to Tibet.
In 1814 there was an armed conflict between Sikkim and Nepal. Sikkim asked the British for help. In return for this help the British acquired the right to carry their goods through Sikkim without paying taxes.
Later in 1835, the British asked for ‘Darjeeling’. Sikkim obliged and Darjeeling ceased to be a part of Sikkim. It became a part of Bengal under British India.
Today Darjeeling is a part of West Bengal. Till 1835 it was a part of Sikkim !
Later as the British became more powerful they became the dominant force and made Sikkim as a ‘British Protectorate’…… meaning Sikkim could continue to be governed by its Kings but the British would be responsible for external relations of Sikkim.
In 1947 when the British left India, Sir Tashi Namgyal was the Chogyal (King) of Sikkim.
Sikkim was a princely state but it did not merge with India. It continued as a monarchy under Chogyals.
In December 1947 demands were raised by the Nepali population to abolish monarchy and to establish democracy. The Nepalis were fed up of Lepcha & Bhutia dominance.
This demand was suppressed by the Chogyals. Some say it was done with the covert (secret) support of India.
Why did India not support ‘Democracy’ in Sikkim ?
The southern part of Sikkim was dominated by Nepali population. To the south of Sikkim are Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal . Neplais living in these Indian districts had been asking for a separate state of Gorkhaland. The Govt of India feared that if democracy was established in Sikkim then the Nepalis living in the southern part of Sikkim could join the Gorkhaland movement.
Hence the Govt of India supported the monarchy in Sikkim and helped them suppress pro-democracy movement. This was 1947.
See the above map to understand the location of Drajeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim.
("Gorkhas" are a community in Nepal. They are known for their courage and fearlessness. Gurkha Regiment of The Indian Army is primarily made up of soldiers from this community.)
By 1950 the geopolitical situation had changed.
In 1949 China forcefully occupied Tibet. Now Chogyals (Kings) of Sikkim started feeling unsafe because of the Chinese.
In 1950 the Chogyals signed an Indo-Sikkimese Treaty and accepted the status of “Indian Protectorate” meaning that India would look after International Relations, Defense and Telecommunications of Sikkim.
Meanwhile a man called L.D. Kazi became popular among the Lepcha community and also the Nepali community. He became a leader of the masses. The Chogyals (Kings) had a hatred for LD Kazi as he posed a threat for them.
An American lady named “Hope Cooke” visited Sikkim as a tourist. The Crown Prince/ Maharaj Kumar (युवराज ) of Sikkim Palden Thondup Namgyal fell in love with her and married her.
Shortly after this marriage, the Chogyal (King) of Sikkim - Sir Tashi Namgyal - died and his son ‘Palden Thondup Namgyal’ became the King.
Remember the curse of the Lepchas ? …..The Lepchas believed that the Namgyal family was cursed because they had cheated the Lepchas. The curse was that the eldest son of the family would always die an unnatural death !
‘Palden Thondup Namgyal’ who had become the King was the second son of his father. His elder brother had died in an accident.
Had the curse of lepchas hit the Namgyals ?
Hope Cooke with her husband
Hope Cooke, wife of the King, became the subject of discussion in Sikkim and outside. As per some accounts, the Govt of India believed that she was a CIA spy planted in the Royal Palace by the Americans.
Remember….Darjeeling was a part of Sikkim earlier and it was taken away by the British and merged with India ?
Now Hope Cooke created trouble for Sikkim when she wrote an article in a Newspaper demanding that India should return Darjeeling to Sikkim.
Relations between Sikkim and India started deteriorating and on India’s Independence Day in 1968 (15 Aug) thousands of people came out on the streets of Sikkim with banners-- “India Get out of Sikkim”.
Was Hope Cooke really an American Agent who wanted to keep Sikkim away from India ?
Remember, Sikkim is very strategically located between Nepal, Bhutan and China occupied Tibet !
Now the Govt of India decided to act and act fast because China was also eyeing Sikkim. China claimed Sikkim to be South Tibet and wanted to occupy it.
In September 1972 the Prime Minister of India Mrs Indira Gandhi asked Shri Rameshwar Nath Kao – “Can you do something about Sikkim ?”
Who was Shri Rameshwar Nath Kao ? .....We have talked about him earlier.
Shri Rameshwar Nath Kao was the Founder and First Chief of India’s External Intelligence Agency “Research and Analysis Wing” (RAW).
RAW under RN Kao got started with its plan and execution.
Objective was—Merger of Sikkim with India.
Now India changed its stand on Monarchy and Democracy. This time India supported “Democracy” in Sikkim.
The Monarch (Chogyal) had to be deposed so that a Democratic Sikkim could merge with India.
Under the guidance of Shri Rameshwar Nath Kao, India helped pro-democracy leaders in Sikkim to build up their public support. L.D. Kazi was the prominent public leader who was encouraged by India.
4th April 1973 was the birthday of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal. A grand celebration was planned by the Royal family.
Just before the celebrations, thousands of people of Sikkim led by L D Kazi came out on the streets demanding that Democracy be established in Sikkim and that Sikkim be merged with India.
After 4 days the Chogyal realized that the situation was getting out of control. He asked India for help.
Please realize that RAW had created the pro-democracy movement in Sikkim. But the Chogyal was under an impression that RAW and India were on his side and he believed that it could be Tibet/ China that was creating trouble for him !
On 8 May 1973 an agreement was signed between India, Chogyal and L D Kazi. Under this agreement, Chogyal continued to be the Head of State and L D Kazi was made the Prime Minister. Security of Sikkim was taken over completely by India except the armed guards to protect Sikkim Palace.
In 1974 elections were held in Sikkim. L D Kazi and his party won 31 out of 32 seats. This elected body then passed an Act called – Govt of Sikkim Bill 1974. Under this Act, Sikkim was to merge with India.
It was necessary to disarm the guards of Sikkim so that bloodshed could be avoided.
Three battalions of Indian army brigade were deployed. Indian Troops marched to the palace. It took less than 20 minutes for the Indian Army to disarm the Sikkim guards.
On 16 May 1975 Sikkim became the 22nd state of India.
The Indian National Flag flew over Sikkim.
Remember the curse of the Lepchas ? …..The Lepchas believed that the Namgyal family was cursed because they had cheated the Lepchas. The curse was that the eldest son of the family would always die unnatural death !
On 11 March 1978, a Mercedez car fell off a cliff into a 300 feet deep valley just outside Gangtok (the capital of Sikkim). The sole occupant of the car died. He was Tenzing Namgyal, the eldest son of deposed King Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal
Had the curse of Lepchas once again hit the Namgyals ?
Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and his wife migrated to USA. A heart-broken Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal died in 1982. His body was brought to Sikkim and laid to rest
My Dear Indians,
No price is high for the unity & integrity of India.
अखंड भारत …. हर कीमत पर
Jai Hind !
Gaurav Negi
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