tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89985751742105709412024-03-13T05:36:46.046+05:30Sikkim- A Look Back ViewA blog related to history culture and heritage of the erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom of SikkimDr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-66717705168691068142017-11-05T21:51:00.002+05:302017-11-05T21:51:24.811+05:30My First book on Rural History of Sikkim has knocked the market<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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About the Book</div>
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'<i>Peasants' Resentments and Resistance- A Glimpse on Rural Past of Sikkim 1914-1950</i>', an outcome of my PhD thesis submitted to Kumaun University in 2014, highlights about the several <i>modus operandi</i> adopted by the Sikkimese peasantry to resist feudalism during World War period. Distress and pains of feudalism in the inaccessible villages, their troubles, their strategies in defending the feudal yoke, their folksongs, their hidden transcripts, grudge, and antipathy against feudal set up, their reluctance and resistance against the monopoly, their unanimity in combating feudalism, the hidden history with abominations against the feudal machinery, and eventually their assimilation with a political organization for a far reaching change are some of the important areas that have been highlighted in this work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW9ewq6UT0pMSB0HNufF3FIjGbQZntnPHvCokHvQx-kWqMa727sLsOt63t5n72kbClKd00yXAt42J4tkomGOmvY9pBZEGpC_n5MNDwGegrxlc9OfCfLWeHrft-SIOxLdmox9vAabiNZCu/s1600/Screenshot_2017-07-06-18-36-28.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW9ewq6UT0pMSB0HNufF3FIjGbQZntnPHvCokHvQx-kWqMa727sLsOt63t5n72kbClKd00yXAt42J4tkomGOmvY9pBZEGpC_n5MNDwGegrxlc9OfCfLWeHrft-SIOxLdmox9vAabiNZCu/s320/Screenshot_2017-07-06-18-36-28.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlwchgVm21KyfuYW3ffFop6Bvbjck9YOocFqUiR1gWa2N-xADS9OlCVOGZXVhBWb41KBkH0pqx-J38xhL1uQ-pmYgxQvbXy8tQYb2hyphenhypheniqG3kXdC66tsK97VMIwatelaE9M_RL3MulliHH/s1600/Screenshot_2017-07-06-18-37-01.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlwchgVm21KyfuYW3ffFop6Bvbjck9YOocFqUiR1gWa2N-xADS9OlCVOGZXVhBWb41KBkH0pqx-J38xhL1uQ-pmYgxQvbXy8tQYb2hyphenhypheniqG3kXdC66tsK97VMIwatelaE9M_RL3MulliHH/s320/Screenshot_2017-07-06-18-37-01.png" /></a><br />ABOUT THE AUTHOR<br />Rajen Upadhyay, Ph.D (2015) in History, from Kumaun University Nainital under the guidance of Prof. Girija Pandey, is currently working as Assistant Professor in History at Namchi Government College, South Sikkim. His interest lies on Peasant and Rural Studies, Women Issues, and Folk Culture and History. He has presented several papers in various National and International Seminars and Conferences and has published several columns in the leading newspapers of Sikkim. A number of articles are published to his credit.<br /><br />CONTENTS<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />List of Figures . 7<br /><br />Acknowledgements . 11<br /><br />Preface . 15<br /><br />1. Sikkim: A Short Introduction . 17<br />• Origin of Name • The People • Culture • Topography • Climate • Flora and Fauna • Forest • Minerals • Industries • Trade • Agricultural Production • Administration • Geo-Politics • Peasants’ Resentments and Resistance (1914- 1950) • Methodology • Notes.<br /><br />2. Sikkim under the Tibetan Patronage (1642-1861 AD) . 39<br />• The Namgyals • Foundation of the Kingdom of Sikkim • The War of Succession and the Bhutanese Incursion • Commencement of Tibetan Regency • Usurpation and Appointment of Rabden Sarpa as Regent • The Gorkha Invasion • Anglo- Sikkim Relations and the Kotapa Affair • Notes.<br /><br />3. Sikkim Under the Colonial Patronage and Thereafter . 65<br />• Commencement of the Nepalese Settlement • An Uneasy Era (1874-1914) • Period of Reformation • Peasant Resistance and Democratic Aspirations • Last Phase of Peasant Agitation and the Take Over • Notes.<br /><br />4. A New Agrarian Arrangement after the British . 85<br />• The British Idée Fixe • New Mode of Revenue Assessment • Classification of Land and Ownership • The Intermediaries • Types of Tenancy in Sikkim during Early Twentieth Century • Adhiadars/Adhiars • Kutdar/ Kutiyars • Chakhureys and Pakhureys • Notes.<br /><br />5. Hidden Transcripts, Resentment, and Resistance The provoking issues . 97<br />• Feudal Chain of Command • Kazi • Thikadars • Mukhtiyars • Mandal • Karbari • Spaces for the Breeding of Hidden Transcript in Sikkim • Germination of the Ideas of Resistance among the Sikkimese Peasantry • Kalo Bhari<br />• Jharlangi • Theki-Bethi • Kuruwa.<br /><br />6. Hidden Transcripts and its Varied Forms during Feudal Sikkim. 125<br />• Hidden Transcripts in the Nepali Folksongs • Hidden Transcript in Spirit Possession • Anonymous Threats as Hidden Transcript • Hidden Transcript of the Peasants in Channel Breaking Activities • Hidden Transcript in Crop Destruction • Hidden Transcripts in Other Forms.<br /><br />7. Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance in Sikkim Assorted Modes . 145<br />• Major Causes of Peasant Disappointment in Feudal Sikkim • Mode of Resistance against the Forced Labours • Resistance through Tax Evasion • Peasant Resistance in Sikkim through Poaching • Resistance through Bribe and Sexual Temptation • Notes.<br /><br />8. The Era of Cohesive Peasant Resistance (1930-1947) . 165<br />• Expansion of Individual Resistance into Rural Secret Societies • Birth of Rural Secret Societies • The Danthey Party • The Members’ Party • Tendong Secret Meet • Growth of Descent Societies- Pre-Sikkim State Congress Associations • Notes.<br /><br />9. The Era of Political Resistance-Peasants’ under Political Patronage . 185<br />• Foundation of Sikkim State Congress • Establishment of Sikkim National Party • The First Annual Conference of Sikkim State Congress (February 1949) • Peasant Demonstration at Gangtok on 1st May 1949 • Redress of Demands by the State through Sikkim State Congress • Notes.<br /><br />10. Political Eclipse on the Peasants’ Issues . 213<br />• Casualness of the State Congress towards the Rural Issues • Corruption and Neglected Condition of the Peasants • Notes.<br /><br />11. Conclusion . 225<br /><br />Reference and Bibliography . 231<br /><br />Appendix. 251<br /><br />Index . 269<br /><br />Available in all the leading online Bookstores worldwide<br /><br />www.flipkart.com/peasants-resentments-resistance-glimpse-rural-sikkim-1914-1950/p/itmewpxmmrxgn3zz<br />www.amazon.in/Peasants-Resentments-Resistance-Glimpse-1914-1950/dp/9351282651<div>
http://www.kalpazpublications.com/index.php?p=sr&Uc=9789351282655<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-89955134217949113522015-11-17T22:45:00.001+05:302020-09-25T12:43:09.655+05:30Lal Bahadur Basnett and Section 124-(A) of Indian Penal Code<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT5vknV_D7B2axizaEHllJlE_nzgd0lv-tFa1ngclJ3x0TlLt9XBWjkfFOCCsZzzQ9f5o5gLOYfKV37KAxBJ1XMLOLbKos2uqyIdQ5BEh1Gd-Xd0FcarTS-U7C1vOIC3sCEWpNzuRFQHN/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT5vknV_D7B2axizaEHllJlE_nzgd0lv-tFa1ngclJ3x0TlLt9XBWjkfFOCCsZzzQ9f5o5gLOYfKV37KAxBJ1XMLOLbKos2uqyIdQ5BEh1Gd-Xd0FcarTS-U7C1vOIC3sCEWpNzuRFQHN/s400/scan0001.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Late Lal Bahadur Basnet was born on 17<sup>th</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>December 1926 at Nazitam, Sang in East
Sikkim. Born to Lieutenant (Honorary) Prem Bahadur Basnett and Narbada Devi,
Lal Bahadur Basnett is an enigmatic personality of Sikkimese politics. At the
age of 4, Late Basnett, along with his parents, left Sikkim for Dehradun (then
United Provinces now the Capital of Uttarakhand) and returned to his native
land only after 15 years. He got his basic education at Dehradun and went to
Ludhiana and admitted to Punjab University for his graduation. After
accomplishing his Graduation, in 1945, he went to United Services Pre-Cadet
College Belgaum. He was court-martial from the Army due to his direct and
open letter to a High ranking Army Officer. In his letter he stated about “the
dissatisfaction prevailing in 2/5 Gurkha Rifles”, which was not engrossed by
other high ranking Officers. He was sent for a rigorous three months
imprisonment but, later released after spending one and a half months in the
jail. After resigning from the Indian Army, he went to Pokhara (Nepal) and served
as a school teacher.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT5vknV_D7B2axizaEHllJlE_nzgd0lv-tFa1ngclJ3x0TlLt9XBWjkfFOCCsZzzQ9f5o5gLOYfKV37KAxBJ1XMLOLbKos2uqyIdQ5BEh1Gd-Xd0FcarTS-U7C1vOIC3sCEWpNzuRFQHN/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He sat for the Sikkim’s first Civil Service Competitive
Examinations and qualified the same and was appointed as a Magistrate in 1961. However,
within a short period he resigned from the bureaucracy and joined Sikkim
National Congress, a political party headed by L.D Kazi and was entrusted with
the charge of Joint Secretary. His ideas of democracy and egalitarianism could
not stop there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">In 1966, he published series of three articles on the topic of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>Democracy in Sikkim</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(<b><i>Sikkim ma Prajatantra</i></b>)
which ultimately led to the portrayal of Late Basnett as an anti-national. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">On
10<sup>th</sup> September 1966, the Joint Secretary of Sikkim National Congress
was arrested on a non-bail able warrant for having committed offences of
sedition under section 124A of the Indian Penal Code.<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> According to Basnett:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>The arrest had been occasioned by a series of three articles entitled
“Democracy in Sikkim”, published in NOW, a Calcutta Weekly, and a letter
written to the Editor, “Hindustan Standard” a Calcutta Daily, on the sensitive
subject of Sikkim’s National Anthem</i>”<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> According to the reports of <i>Kanchenjunga</i>: </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>It has come to know that Mr. Basnett had in certain journals and
newspaper in Calcutta written articles which have been said to be against the
interest of Sikkim. He was arrested under Indian Penal Code Section 124A on the
charges of Rajdroha</i>”<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It appears that the
accused and the General Secretary of Sikkim National Congress had written
nothing sensational against the National Anthem of the Kingdom. He had simply
tried to draw the attention of the Indian intelligentsia regarding the existing
political situation of the Kingdom. An extract of his article is reproduced
here: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>Now, the ruling house- the Sikkim Durbar- had no intentions to part
with its powers and prerogatives which a democratic government would
necessarily entail. It restored to the time honoured political weapon of divide
and rule....The Sikkim Durbar assiduously applied itself to sowing the seeds of
discord among the three communities by playing up the probability of the
tyranny of the majority over the minority communities</i>”<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In another issue, he
continued to criticize the Sikkim Durbar for waiting for an opportunity to
impose absolutism in the Kingdom. Mr. Basnett wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“<i>The Sikkim Durbar has almost reached the point where its absolute rule
has become a glaring fact....So, with absolutism in the saddle, Sikkim
continues on the dizzy path of eventual chaos</i>”<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The only matter that the Durbar had to criticize the
writings mentioned above was about the existence of absolutism in the Kingdom,
which could be refuted in a usual manner by placing the example of the
Executive Council of 1958. However, the arrest of Mr. Basnett gives a clear sketch that
how Sikkim Durbar was working on the “democratization” of the country where
a single word against the palace was considered as an act of insubordination. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The lone News based journal <i>Kanchenjunga</i> published the event in the news story with the title ‘<i>National Congress Secretary Arrested</i>’
that too was in an equidistant manner between the democratic and autocratic
juxtaposition. It writes <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">“....<i>it would
be enough to say that in the history of Sikkim, this is the first case relating
to Section 124(A) or treason</i>”<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After
spending 48 hours in the police custody, Mr. Basnett was taken before the Chief
Magistrate on 12<sup>th</sup> September 1966, and he was released on bail of Rs
100,000.<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[vii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
On 10<sup>th</sup> April 1967, after the results of Third General Elections Mr.
Basnett was acquitted from the charge of treason.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Due to his deviating political views with L.D Kazi he
resigned from the Sikkim National Congress and founded Sikkim Janata Party.
Though, the party had never been active in the political sphere of Sikkim but,
the demands made by Late Basnett and his party cannot be disregarded. After his
victory in the election of 1979, he was elected as the Deputy Speaker of Sikkim
Legislative Assembly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Basnett, Lal Bahadur, (1974) Sikkim A short political history, p 129<br /><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ibid<br /><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kanchenjunga Vol.6, No.2-3-4, 15<sup>th</sup>
September 1966 pp36, 48/49<br /><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">[iv]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Basnett, Lal Bahadur, ‘Democracy in Sikkim’(Part I)
Now, 29<sup>th</sup> April 1966, Calcutta,p10<br /><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">[v]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Basnett, Lal Bahadur, ‘Democracy in Sikkim’(Part I)
Now, 20<sup>th</sup> May 1966, Calcutta,p9<br /><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">[vi]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kanchenjunga Vol.6, No.2-3-4, 15<sup>th</sup>
September 1966 pp36, 48/49<br /><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[vii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Basnett (1974) op cit p130</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com3Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.36521219999997427.138741500000002 88.324871699999974 27.1952505 88.405552699999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-61612157776628127912015-11-16T22:53:00.000+05:302016-06-11T17:24:53.243+05:30The political void of early 60’s and letter of Late Kazini Eliza Maria to Late Brihaspati Parsai <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="Section1">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The early 60’s
of the last century can be considered as the concluding segment of the tug of
war that was prevalent between the political parties of Sikkim and the Sikkim
Durbar. It can be articulated that, the period had accurately witnessed “King
can do no wrong” as far as the Sikkimese administration was concerned. The
Executive Councillors had served for seven years without any break. However, as
per the provision, there had to be an election in 1962; but, was postponed for
an indefinite period due to the “Chinese encroachments”. From the study it
appears that, there was no political party except the Sikkim National Congress
of Kazi Lhendup Dorjee which repeatedly clamoured for the political reforms. The
political situation of the erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom was thence standing on
the edge which is evident from the reports of <i>Kanchenjunga</i>. The monthly Nepali news based journal states: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">“…The <i>Chogyal</i>
had in accordance to the advice rendered by different political parties, said
that political reforms will be carried out or else like 1958’s law of election
will be conducted....while looking at the demands of the political parties, all
the parties are unanimous in one matter of election which was to be conducted
in 1961 and was not be postponed further.....but, when it comes to the
formation of the Council, rules regulating election, administration etc., the
parties are not unanimous. If the ruler and the different parties do not listen
to each other this critical situation will definitely harm the multi-faceted
progress of the country”</span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></a></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Though, <i>Kanchenjunga</i> </span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
blamed Sikkim National Congress along with other political parties for
maintaining silence against the introduction of reservation on the basis of
caste and race, it appears that, the Sikkim National Congress had made some
clatters. But, as usual their opposition went unheard as the other two parties
namely Sikkim National Party and Sikkim State Congress remained hushed and
muted and were busy in proving them as
good and obedient parties to the Durbar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The photograph attached
with this post is a letter from Kazini Eliza Maria of Chakhung to late Mr.
Brihaspati Parsai of Namli village East Sikkim. The latter was one of the
founding members of Sikkim State Congress founded in December 1947 with a
purpose of liquidating feudalism from the very root of Sikkim. It is evident from
the letter that late Brihaspati Parsai had invited the Kazi couple for the
marriage of their son to his residence at Namli village. However, the Kazini
was unable to make her presence with her husband due to ‘ridiculous attitude of
Sikkim Durbar’. It is interesting to note that the letter was dispatched from
Chakhung House Kalimpong; the unofficial headquarter of Sikkim National
Congress. It indicates that the entry of the Kazi couple to Sikkim was banned at
that juncture for some unknown reasons and she is hopeful to meet her relations
in Sikkim after the riddance of “nonsense”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">I am quite sure
that the Kazi couple was not allowed in getting into Sikkim after the publication of
Bulletin No.2 of 26<sup>th</sup> January 1972 through which the Sikkim National
Congress had a mocking criticism against the <i>Chogyal</i> and the Sikkimese administration. A line published in
Bulletin No.2 of the Sikkim National Congress says: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">“It should always be borne in mind that there can be
no King without people, but conversely there are many countries today which
have people without Kings”.</span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukeVF7UOFh96-yH-aWHzjVGbZaBqvKiunu78LRs-g-dKrV1qeqoV91JLLQ9cpeGI3V0bWNhOyvnGEflTjzz86VcfaaNg5KJ08yprqCx1DgQHqhDP_vTf6cOOQoLtBSt_hWD4iwTXdwyH9/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukeVF7UOFh96-yH-aWHzjVGbZaBqvKiunu78LRs-g-dKrV1qeqoV91JLLQ9cpeGI3V0bWNhOyvnGEflTjzz86VcfaaNg5KJ08yprqCx1DgQHqhDP_vTf6cOOQoLtBSt_hWD4iwTXdwyH9/s400/IMG_2054.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Document acquired from Mr. N.B. Parsai of Namin village East Sikkim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The line quoted
above from Bulletin No. 2 was more than adequate to get exiled in a monarchical
set up. However, it materializes that the earlier banishment, indicated in this
letter was certainly for raising the voices of the majority, where the Kazi probably
was reluctant to accept the Durbar diversion of “divide and rule”. Probably he
could sniff the tang of prejudice in the approaches of the palace and remained
unbending with his democratic ethos and in all probabilities his democratic
values were responsible for ‘ridiculous attitude of Sikkim Durbar’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]-->
<br />
<hr size="1" style="text-align: left;" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">
</span>Kanchenjunga, Vol.6 No.26 15<sup>th</sup> November
1965 Editorial page of the Journal <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[ii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">
</span>Kanchenjunga
Vol.6, No.9 15<sup>th</sup> January 1966 pp120-121<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8998575174210570941#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[iii]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB">
Kazi, L.D. </span>‘<i>Sikkim
at the Crossroads’</i>, (A Party Bulletin) Published by Sikkim National
Congress, Bulletin No.2/1972, 26<sup>th</sup> January 1972, Gangtok p2<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.36521219999997427.138741500000002 88.324871699999974 27.1952505 88.405552699999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-85061660055109025922014-12-14T18:17:00.000+05:302014-12-14T20:03:05.268+05:30Tax receipt bearing seal of a Zamindar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Akin to any
other feudal government, the <i>Zamindars</i>
or the Lords of an estate in Sikkim had enormous power to enjoy. Their important
duties include collection of taxes (both Land and House Taxes) from the
peasants and also had a right of litigation at their Courts thence designated
as <i>Adda</i> Courts. It is worth to
mention that some of the <i>Zamindars</i>
had seals in their name that manifests the unconcealed position of <i>Zamindars</i> in the feudal organization of
Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The picture of a
tax receipt posted with this post belongs to a peasant named Dalbir Limboo of Rateypani
Estate in South Sikkim which was issued to him by his village Mandal Dorjey
Bomjan. According to the receipt, a cash payment of Rs 13/- was made by Dalbir
Limboo as land tax to his Mandal in 1973 which is a bit confusing. However, if one
has to examine the fonts used by the printing press (Gorkha Press Darjeeling) one
can be convinced that the receipt belongs to the first quarter of 20<sup>th</sup>
century. Further, the receipt has mentioned some other taxes like <i>Madadi</i>, <i>Satsukey</i>, <i>Roadsesh</i>, and <i>Gaddhi</i> which were eliminated immediately
after the Second World War. Therefore, it is apparent that the tax receipt
belongs to AD 1916 and the year mentioned as 1973 is <i>Vikramasamvat</i> era which is still in practice in neighbouring Nepal.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBhNQDAyLNyAnIvE8JxHe0dg2p0lsznkHng689jlsihnZi60sanE-ll54JoTvA-6ucpV4xYcOkCrZEbvtxucFgkOtKmDZZK6-JlksJ8VDS8pq6QQQ6tNfjTu07ULIQT0r9OwceXfG991B/s1600/Zamindar+Receipt+1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBhNQDAyLNyAnIvE8JxHe0dg2p0lsznkHng689jlsihnZi60sanE-ll54JoTvA-6ucpV4xYcOkCrZEbvtxucFgkOtKmDZZK6-JlksJ8VDS8pq6QQQ6tNfjTu07ULIQT0r9OwceXfG991B/s1600/Zamindar+Receipt+1973.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tax receipt belongs to Mr. H.B. Subba of Chota Singtam, East Sikkim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The seal bearing
a name of the <i>Zamindar</i> as Shree Hiralal
is the distinguishing feature of this receipt. Stamped in <i>Devanagari</i> (Nepali) the name seems to be prominent as it also bears
a figure of a half moon and a star on the both ends of the name. Use of such
icons along with their names was in vogue among the exalted Nepalese <i>Zamindars</i>. We are not sure about the
usage of such seals by other <i>Zamindars</i>
in the Kingdom of Sikkim. However, the use of a seal that bears the name of
self indicates least concerned attitude of the <i>Zamindars</i> towards the King and the peasants of the Kingdom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com1Assam Lingzey, Sikkim 737135, India27.269405 88.659660000000031-2.9841755000000028 47.351066000000031 57.522985500000004 129.96825400000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-36119634920727324822014-12-13T17:49:00.000+05:302014-12-13T18:01:36.028+05:30Mandals as the boosters of peasants' resistance in Feudal Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The <i>Mandals</i> or the village heads played a vital role in igniting the
idea of resistance among the slumbered conscience of the Sikkimese peasantry.
They were appointed by the <i>Kazis</i> or
in some cases by the <i>Mukhtiyars</i>.
Their machinery role was to work as a village headman and to collect taxes from
the peasants of their respective villages. A peasant had to deposit his taxes in time, which included house tax and land
tax known as <i>Dhurikhajana</i> and <i>Jamin Khajana</i>. If he fails to pay his taxes on time, he would be given a chance to pay his
taxes the following year. But, during his payment the peasant had to pay his
tax with a huge interest.However,
some provisions were maintained by the Kingdom to rebate interests of the past year’s
dues if a peasant made a full payment to his landlord. 25% of reimbursements
were to be made by the landlords to the peasants. But, it appears that the feudal officials never implemented these provisions in
a sincere manner. The <i>Mandals</i> had to
issue a receipt confirming the payment of land tax and house tax to the peasant.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">Counterfoils
of such receipts would be recorded in a register of demand and collection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eEXcrhguGZizm8CIjDqXYjcw-zKkD8VKbljIrB4Jj2jkEiTTuYu2l2tjpTPhpBaUs9RzEeZRTpqGCAHlsd3-COMPFTux8UeJ3b94pgCuDRutCixrzXzr96l-Vkx8A_5YPPMVyqqH08xD/s1600/Tax+Receipts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eEXcrhguGZizm8CIjDqXYjcw-zKkD8VKbljIrB4Jj2jkEiTTuYu2l2tjpTPhpBaUs9RzEeZRTpqGCAHlsd3-COMPFTux8UeJ3b94pgCuDRutCixrzXzr96l-Vkx8A_5YPPMVyqqH08xD/s1600/Tax+Receipts.jpg" height="178" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Document written with pen is a tax receipt of
the year 1929 of Late Ravilal Pyakurel of Tareythang Busty East Sikkim, Date of
payment of <i>Jaminkhazana</i> 8th March
1930. Document written with pencil is tax receipt of Late Man Bahadur Limboo of
Rabitar Namchi, Date of payment of <i>Zamin
Khajana</i> 29<sup>th</sup> December 1941. Both the documents bear signatures
of their respective <i>Mandals</i>.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Such
receipts were mostly written with pencils which bore the <i>Mandal’s</i> signature. If the <i>Mandal</i>
had any grudge against the peasants, they would issue a wrong receipt taking
advantage of the illiteracy of the latter.This would lead to a big trouble for the peasants as whatever they earned had
to be deposited as land tax. More pathetically, if the amount of tax happened
to be registered wrongly, they had no option to appeal. There were several such
cases in the various villages of feudalistic Sikkim. A <i>Mandal</i> named Chatur Singh Rai of Assam Lingzey had made such false
entry against one Dal Dhoj Rai of his village. The victim made an appeal to
Gyaltsen <i>Kazi</i>, the landlord of his
village but his appeal remained unheard to the authority. In frustration, the
victim openly challenged his <i>Mandal</i>
during a feast at the village for this act of “disobedience” Dal Dhoj Rai had
to pay Rs. 25/- as fine to the <i>Mandal</i>.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">Keeping
aside the outcome of the outburst of anger, it is now evident that the hidden
transcript of the Sikkimese peasantry was taking a shape of a full throated
expression. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The
<i>Mandals</i> also had the litigation
rights and were appointed to provide justice to the needy in the village. But,
most of the peasants today believe that their verdict was not satisfying for
them as most of the <i>Mandals</i> spoke
languages of the higher officials. A notice issued by a <i>Mandal</i> Brihaspati Upadhyay of Tareythang village in East Sikkim to
one peasant Late Ravilal Pyakurel affirms this. Written in an intimidating
language, the notice asks the latter to be present on 20<sup>th</sup> December
1945 at Danak <i>Adda</i> court without fail.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 150%;">However,
few cases related to land and taxation of the villagers was forwarded to the
Durbar by the </span><i style="line-height: 150%;">Mandals</i><span style="line-height: 150%;"> through written
complaints.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1pt none black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0pt; line-height: 150%; padding: 0in;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJIgIaJEdw5qt88dxlRS2umg9s58DgLzck8KlHjkBr73yq-jMb3-maiUIxqcUS1yNzUh9BZ3Dbt8AXHewNuLTbgMma_gvOwhxttZO06V0DZv6HAUF2It7tLNZW_UUQWKOt7cg0E1xrI6v/s1600/Blog+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJIgIaJEdw5qt88dxlRS2umg9s58DgLzck8KlHjkBr73yq-jMb3-maiUIxqcUS1yNzUh9BZ3Dbt8AXHewNuLTbgMma_gvOwhxttZO06V0DZv6HAUF2It7tLNZW_UUQWKOt7cg0E1xrI6v/s1600/Blog+Image.jpg" height="400" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Notice issued by a <i>Mandal</i>
Brihaspati Upadhyay of Tareythang village to one of his villagers Late Ravilal
Pyakurel on 18th December 1945 against a report made by another villager Sarvey
Bidhyapati Kafley stating that the accused had chopped off a tree.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Due
to their proximity to power, these <i>Mandals</i>
also exploited the Sikkimese peasants in the same manner as by the <i>Kazis</i> and the <i>Thikadars</i>. It has been revealed by the victims and the descendents of
such victims that commoners were heavily exploited by the <i>Mandals</i> especially during special occasions in the palace like the
birthdays of Kings and the Princes. During such occasions, these <i>Mandals</i> ordered the peasants to offer
some kind of gifts to them which they would give to the <i>Kazis</i> as a memento from the peasants of their respective villages. The peasant had to gift rice, maize, butter, curd, wine and in some cases meat,
fish, and other valuable edibles. Yearly collection of such gifts was made
during <i>Meshu Purnima</i> in the month of <i>Bhadra</i> (July-August) also known as <i>Bhadau Purnima</i> in Nepali.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Apart
from such cupidity, the <i>Mandals</i>,
during the process of collection, used to keep a portion out of the collected
gifts leaving nearly 85% to the palace. Again, those gifts were deducted by the
<i>Mukhtiyars</i> and <i>Kazis</i> leaving hardly 25% for the occasion in the palace. The
justification about keeping such gifts is also interesting “<i>Maha Kadnele Haat ta chatcha nai</i>”
meaning ‘a person who takes out honey from the hives definitely licks his
hands’. Further, the peasants had to send a member of his household to assist the <i>Mandal</i> during farming in the form of <i>Bethi Khetala</i>. This <i>Bethi Khetala</i> was a free service to be rendered by a villager to
the <i>Mandals</i>. The sufferers remind
their black years in these words: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 37.45pt 10pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“We had to go to the
fields of the <i>Kazi</i> <i>Thikadars</i> and <i>Mandals</i> for the harvest or for farming; they gave a fistful of dry
maize to work for the whole day</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF8zFVJm6JNliiFw4wH8Qi_2I37ahNlomVp7xGBI0roSRfOivLJUHQKNY-3tAm5N8FKO4BtmQwjWUCROqiOPkGzgNocuhiw0PVJcc-KtL9m4fujGoBPKPzvI9yNoEDQ2H09YWekbbmbNw/s1600/Blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF8zFVJm6JNliiFw4wH8Qi_2I37ahNlomVp7xGBI0roSRfOivLJUHQKNY-3tAm5N8FKO4BtmQwjWUCROqiOPkGzgNocuhiw0PVJcc-KtL9m4fujGoBPKPzvI9yNoEDQ2H09YWekbbmbNw/s1600/Blog.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Receipt issued to a peasant Man Bahadur Limboo in 1945 by a Mandal Kharga Singh </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Auxiliary, when the peasants needed
monetary help, they would visit the <i>Mandals</i>
for debt to be used for the marriage, or in the death rites of the peasants. If
a peasant took loan of Rs 100/- he had to pay interest of 1 <i>Muri</i> of Rice to the <i>Mandal</i> from whom he
had taken the loan. Hence, in feudal Sikkim, the <i>Mandals</i>
had designated themselves as <i>Kazi</i> and
proved <i>to</i> be the one who were
directly responsible for the exploitation which ultimately gave birth to the
peasant resistance in the secluded Kingdom of Sikkim. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>References:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tax
receipts collected from Harka Bahadur Limboo aka Khukurey Bajey of Chota
Singtam East Sikkim on 21st January 2012</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Information
collected through personal interview from erstwhile </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Mandals</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> Kharga Bahadur Chauhan of Temi, Chandra Bahadur Basnett of
Namli, Passang Tshering Bhutia of Namin and Phur Tshering Lepcha of Marchak
villages during field survey in December 2011 and January 2012</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sikkim State, Office of the Dewan, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Order
No.4, Revenue Administration, Dated 19th August 1949, Gangtok</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Information collected through personal
interview from Ash Man Rai of Assam Lingzey on 27th January 2012</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn9">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Scan Copy of the Notice issued on 18th December 1945
by <i>Mandal</i> Brihaspati Upadhyay to
Ravilal Pyakurel of Tareythang village, East Sikkim. The document is an
important credential to understand the judicial rights enjoyed by the village <i>Mandals</i>.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Assam Lingzey , Sikkim 737135, India27.269405 88.659660000000031-1.6595130000000005 47.351066000000031 56.198323 129.96825400000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-37036566996163050962014-12-13T10:20:00.002+05:302014-12-13T10:32:17.874+05:30The Mukhtiyars in Feudal Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In the feudal administrative
hierarchy of Sikkim, the <i>Mukhtiyars</i>
enjoyed position next to the <i>Kazi/Thikadars</i>.
Anna Balikci presumes that, the term got its origination from Ottoman Empire as
the village Chiefs there were known as <i>Mukhtar</i>.We
do not have much information about the commencement of this system in Sikkim.
The available Official documents issued from the Royal Durbar are silent about
the existence of any offices related to the <i>Mukhtiyars</i>
hence, they were probably appointed by the <i>Kazis</i>
in their <i>Elakhas </i>to maintain law and
order in their estates. Auxiliary, documents belonging to Rai <i>Saheb</i> Durga Sumsher Pradhan of Rhenock also
indicate that the <i>Mukhtiyars</i> were
appointed by the <i>Kazis</i> and by other
lessee holders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Further,
my field survey report bears ample testimony to the fact that the <i>Mukhtiyars</i> were given the charge of a
whole <i>Elakah</i> of a lessee holder or a <i>Thikadar</i>. He was also granted the charge
of litigation under his jurisdiction. Their duty was akin to today’s District
Magistrate and was with a few hereditary exceptions, appointed on merit.From the pictures collected from the erstwhile <i>Mukhtiyar</i> family of Namchi in South Sikkim, it can be stated that
they had a comfortable and a reverential life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEnEWPgAfOsFC5McOnY9dlLnPHwdzUG5Up_rl7txhEExAGOT4GYHELlytjbP0yjdX_h2N4gGYLRIhCo8MBjDKvpHA7XzM6lhb92RWeSFSM13s2LqYk3hHaKuokbZAX3pm28Aak7AaBAck/s1600/DSC01850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEnEWPgAfOsFC5McOnY9dlLnPHwdzUG5Up_rl7txhEExAGOT4GYHELlytjbP0yjdX_h2N4gGYLRIhCo8MBjDKvpHA7XzM6lhb92RWeSFSM13s2LqYk3hHaKuokbZAX3pm28Aak7AaBAck/s1600/DSC01850.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: windowtext;">Photograph
of <i>Mukhtiyar</i> San Man Tamang of Namchi
South Sikkim. The person sitting on a chair in the middle was the <i>Mukhtiyar</i>. The golden ornaments of the
women and the dress they clad in shows that they had a very comfortable way of
life. The people standing behind were the peasants of his estate in Namchi.
Pic. Courtesy Late Rup Maya Tamang, Namchi Bazaar, South Sikkim</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Being a local
of the Estate owned by the <i>Kazis</i>, the
<i>Mukhtiyars</i> had detail information
about the settlers. The <i>Kazis</i> and <i>Thikadars</i>, being the “high born” elites
of the Kingdom hardly visited their respective holdings in the villages and preferred
to live in comfort in the beautiful mansions in the capital of the Kingdom. The
<i>Kazis</i> usually gave charges to trusted
persons residing in their estates. In another word, the <i>Mukhtiyars</i> were to serve the <i>Kazis</i>
as a bridge between the peasants and the Landlords.They also had to maintain the land records related to the peasants of his <i>Elakah</i>. As the trusted persons of the <i>Kazis</i>, the <i>Mukhtiyars</i> too possessed a vast tract of land for their personal
use and the same was distributed among the <i>Pakhureys</i>.
The descendents of Tashiding <i>Mukhtiyar</i>
still profess the exploitative money lending job to the peasants in their
periphery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
information of the descendants of the <i>Mukhtiyars</i>
highlights that they too lived their lives in a great comfort. They had many
servants at their residence who were mostly the children of the tax defaulters.They had to make necessary arrangements in their <i>Elakhas </i>during the visit of King and other high ranking native and
British Officials.The life standard
enjoyed by the <i>Mukhtiyars</i> was almost
similar to the <i>Kazis</i> and <i>Thikadars</i>. They had constructed
beautiful mansions, travelled on the back of Arabic horses, and possessed
enormous wealth. The <i>Kothi</i> of Namchi <i>Mukhtiyar</i> which was constructed nearly a
century ago still steals a glimpse or two of every visitor. However, it appears
that these officials were not prevalent in every estate hold by the lessee
holders like the <i>Kazis</i> and <i>Thikadars</i>. The estates in the proximity
of the Kingdom’s capital did not have any office related to the <i>Mukhtiyars</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">References
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if !supportEndnotes]-->
<br />
<hr size="1" style="text-align: left;" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Balikci,
Anna (2008), <i>Lamas, Shamans and
Ancestors- Village Religion in Sikkim</i>, Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Appointment
letter of 1932 of a <i>Mukhtiyar</i> by Rai
Saheb Durga Sumsher Pradhan of Rhenock
East Sikkim preserved at Ramgauri Sangrahalaya Rhenock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Information
collected through personal interview from Mrs. Rup Maya Tamang, a granddaughter
of erstwhile <i>Mukhtiyar</i> of Namchi Late
San Man Tamang on 23rd April 2010</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Information collected through personal
interview from the peasants of Tashiding village in West Sikkim on 21st </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> and 22nd
December 2011</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> Information
collected from the villages of Assam Lingzey, Kadamtam, Aho, Namin, Marchak and
Samdur which are in proximity to Gangtok.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com1Assam Lingzey, Sikkim 737135, India27.269405 88.659660000000031-2.9841755000000028 47.351066000000031 57.522985500000004 129.96825400000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-31010725538318462742014-12-12T18:05:00.000+05:302018-11-15T20:44:22.447+05:30Assessment of Maharaja Sidkeong Tulku (February 1914 - December 1914) as a Radical Ruler<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">On 29<sup>th</sup> April 1914, Prince Sidkeong Tulku succeeded his father
Thotub Namgyal as the 10<sup>th</sup> ruler of Sikkim. He had the benefit of
sound modern education. He was an undergraduate at Pembroke College, in Oxford.
Alexandra David Neel, who met Sidkeong Namgyal during her research, writes that
the King would speak English more fluently than Tibetan and could also speak a fluent Hindi and a bit of
Chinese. During his stay in Oxford, he had been exposed to the revolutionary
ideas of the West. With the Political Officer J.C. White, he travelled around
in India as well as in the neighbouring countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo4ZjmWTv0O_ydyqiC_suox5Xa7JKxtCaSjLim-NWjZWNC9GCW7Wrl-EJXBpFWg8SjbL2_AXv4BiB7bMerq5hBPiGSOW3XhTyINy-vvUagXtYBFu6WUbKiHGY_zviqKDPBD9xff37YP_Y/s1600/Sidkeong+Tulku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo4ZjmWTv0O_ydyqiC_suox5Xa7JKxtCaSjLim-NWjZWNC9GCW7Wrl-EJXBpFWg8SjbL2_AXv4BiB7bMerq5hBPiGSOW3XhTyINy-vvUagXtYBFu6WUbKiHGY_zviqKDPBD9xff37YP_Y/s1600/Sidkeong+Tulku.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His Highness the Xth Maharaja of Sikkim Sidkeong Tulku<br />
Pic: Tempa Trans Himalayan Arts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">After his
homecoming from Oxford in 1908, Sidkeong had been assigned with the charges of
Forest, Monasteries, and Schools. Even before assuming the power of a <i>de facto</i> ruler Sidkeong was at the helm
of affairs that is evident from his important deals he made in 1913 AD as a <i>Maharajkumar</i>. The first important
dealing was abolition of imprisonment as a penalty for non payment of debts and
another was the record in the Council Proceedings on the ban of settlement of
plain-men. Immediately after his accession, Sidkeong made negotiations with
Messrs Burn and Company, Calcutta for concession to cut and sell timber, for
manufacture of bamboo pulp, for hydro electric project and wire ropeways and
that was satisfactorily concluded on 30<sup>th</sup> April 1913. It was due to
his affectionate relationship with the British, even the Tibetan elites like Panchen
Lama requested Sidkeong to inform the British for the arrangement of a meeting
at Delhi. This exhibits him as a brilliant diplomat apart from an excellent and
placid ruler who eliminated all the prior policies adopted by his predecessors
and established good relations with the British India. It appears that, during his reign,
the Tibetan Government had donated some tracts of land to Sikkim. Therefore,
Sidkeong at this point can be regarded as an intermediary between Tibet and
British. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Enlightened
with the Western Education, Sidkeong Tulku attempted to bring the monasteries towards
their social obligation. However, the monks were hesitant to convert his ideas
into practice. This was a revolutionary sacrilege coming from the ruler who was
supposed to preserve their interests. Taking a budge ahead, Sidkeong had raised
his voice of opposition, against the privileges enjoyed by the feudal
aristocracy who had an imperative role in decision making in the earlier
period. The writings of Ms. Neel provide a testimonial that even the condition
of the Clergies, who too happened to be the peasants, were not economically
prosperous. She writes:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">“The peasant clergies
of these forests are generally poor and ill fed, and it is difficult for them
to suppress a thrill of delight when death of a rich villager promises them
several days’ feast”.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The
pathetic condition of the peasants forced them to send several complaints to
the Durbar regarding the method of assessment of taxes by their respective
landlords. Similarly, there were also other cases of migration of the peasants to
Bhutan and Darjeeling due to the lopsided and oppressive taxation system. The
hidden transcripts of the Sikkimese peasantry now thus started to come out in
the form of petition and prayers to the <i>Maharaja</i>
against the injustice they were subjected to at the hands of their landlords. In
order to curb the selfish interests of the landlords, Sidkeong Tulku abolished
the discriminatory taxation rates among the Bhutia-Lepcha and Nepali peasants
and reverted to the old system of <i>Koot</i>
or <i>Kut</i>. Possibly, taking the matters
of harassment and exploitation into consideration, Sidkeong Tulku proposed to
liquidate landlordism that was indeed a matter of relief to the subjugated
peasants of Sikkim. On the contrary, by his reformist zeal, he not only had exasperated
the feudal landlords, but also Claude White’s successor in the Political
Office, Charles Bell.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">In
a very short period of hardly ten months, Sidkeong did some remarkable tasks,
for the development of Sikkim. His reign witnessed opening of several schools for
the propagation of western education. There were two secondary schools at
Gangtok, 25 primary and village schools, 16 missionary schools and 6 schools at
the landlords’ estates. Likewise, few other schools were opening in the remote
villages. Auxiliary, he made certain amendments in the prevailing laws and
encouraged his subjects for plantation of trees in waste lands. Reserved
forests were categorized into two ranges namely Eastern and Western and they
were kept in charge of the Foresters. It is noteworthy to mention here that,
these forests were to be managed by the landlords as Forest Officers of their
respective <i>Elakhas</i>. Strict rules and
laws were adopted to abolish corruption from the forest resources and if a
Forest Officer failed to execute his responsibilities accordingly were dealt
with a heavier hand. 13 Landlords were fined by the Durbar due to their
negligence and casualness towards their duties that include the Bermiok <i>Kazi</i> who was occupying a higher position
in the State Council. The evidence is ample enough to argue that Sidkeong Tulku
was an austere, a devoted, and a peasant adoring <i>Maharaja</i> who was keen to eliminate corruption from every level of
administration including monastery. He also encouraged his subjects to live a
clean and hygienic life and established a hospital and a dispensary at Gangtok.
However, his zeal and enthusiasm to provide a healthy administration in Sikkim
did not last long. His heterodoxy and revolutionary ideas became a major cause of
his death. In December 1914, Sidkeong was taken ill. It is believed that the
King died due to a heart failure caused by jaundice due to a severe chill.
However, it is also said that, a British physician from Bengal made a heavy
transfusion of brandy, put him under a number of blankets, and burnt charcoal near
his bed. Thus, Sidkeong died due to suffocationin suspicious circumstances at a
very early stage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><b>References:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Administration Report
of the Sikkim State for 1913-14</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Administration Report of the Sikkim State for 1914-15</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Unnamed Document, Year 1914, Palace Document, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Deorali, Gangtok.</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Letter to Sidkeong Tulku from Panchen Lama dated
1909-1913, Palace Document, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology,
Deorali, Gangtok.</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Letter from Sidkeong Tulku to the Tibetan
Government, Palace Document, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology,
Deorali, Gangtok <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Basnett,
Lal Bahadur, (1974)</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;"> Sikkim- A short Political
History, </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">S. Chand & Co. (Pvt.) Ltd. New Delhi</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Neel, Alexandra David (1931) </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">With Mystics and Magicians in Tibet</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">, Penguin Books, London </span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">Kotturan, George, (1983), </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">The Himalayan Gateway- History and Culture of Sikkim</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">, Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi,</span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sikkim- A Concise Chronicle </span></div>
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Lingzey, Sikkim 737135, India27.3019589 88.475506327.2878489 88.455336300000013 27.316068899999998 88.4956763tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-84630376672609927432012-12-18T14:58:00.001+05:302012-12-18T14:58:28.945+05:30Dzumsa:- An Inimitable organism of Lachung<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusKdcHh9lE4d_bBoLAqwCTdpbEg9w0HOU-goFUlmNProx4kaC8mEYgkwIKYXHY4itsHcfcLQO0PgVLnSY1faba2PN0Nyq5CFRXDvS5Yq4sO4NDQ4sQiWffcukGFU7iBwaKaeSNCxtOsrx/s1600/Lachung-Photos-Lachung-shareiq-1340776745-199105-jpg-uploadimages-500x375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusKdcHh9lE4d_bBoLAqwCTdpbEg9w0HOU-goFUlmNProx4kaC8mEYgkwIKYXHY4itsHcfcLQO0PgVLnSY1faba2PN0Nyq5CFRXDvS5Yq4sO4NDQ4sQiWffcukGFU7iBwaKaeSNCxtOsrx/s320/Lachung-Photos-Lachung-shareiq-1340776745-199105-jpg-uploadimages-500x375.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lachung village during Summer Pic:http://www.holidayiq.com</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Lachung,
situated in the northern district of Sikkim is a beautiful village, secluded
from the chaotic city lifestyles has its own exclusivity.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Lachung is at an elevation
of about 9,600 ft or 3,000 m and at the confluence of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachen_River" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="Lachen River"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Lachen River</span></a></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachung_River" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="Lachung River"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Lachung Rivers</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">, tributaries of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Teesta" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="River Teesta"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">River Teesta</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">. The word <i>Lachung </i>means "small pass".</span><span lang="EN-GB"> There was a period when
this place was not opened to the tourists due to its traditional and customary
importance. But, in the recent period, Lachung has been made available to them
to explore the culture and custom of the indigenous. It will not be wrong to
argue that, Lachung, the place of mystic mountains is a <i>de-facto</i> Shangri-La. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Before the annexation of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="Tibet"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black;">Tibet</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;">in 1950, Lachung was a trading post between Sikkim and
Tibet, after which it was closed down.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Lachung
has been described as the "most picturesque village of Sikkim" by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="United Kingdom"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black;">British</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;">explorer<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Dalton_Hooker" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="Joseph Dalton Hooker"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: black;">Joseph Dalton Hooker</span></a><sup id="cite_ref-1"><span style="background: white;">
</span></sup><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">in his famous work,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>The Himalayan Journal</i>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh755nuLK2deTiFgkn28fwJrVvhcI7umPshiLL5KWVj5T-mGXmZSzXLFIEmAsqaGMc2fhWta68uJnkXONEPytmtVTtlLUYUxE0qiqRFJQyKzgjKhCbDRS1078DNKONO7gc0SyqmZ8qxjW4/s1600/pipon-1203794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh755nuLK2deTiFgkn28fwJrVvhcI7umPshiLL5KWVj5T-mGXmZSzXLFIEmAsqaGMc2fhWta68uJnkXONEPytmtVTtlLUYUxE0qiqRFJQyKzgjKhCbDRS1078DNKONO7gc0SyqmZ8qxjW4/s400/pipon-1203794.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lachung Pipon with his Horse Pic:Dr. Alice S. Kandell 1971 May</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJzLXGdGdKeejI8JrUOkM9kW6HB_INjyYdSHZ4x57f7iVjzz5goelJjgXS6ixrz5e0I3GyrldfWmqnHHJXkh08DuEmzSMvYXoGVW1NGXZcd9dLrChs8i1rrFE1QrEtC6Tua75-YIN7Trw/s1600/headman-of-village-pipon-lachung-1203789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJzLXGdGdKeejI8JrUOkM9kW6HB_INjyYdSHZ4x57f7iVjzz5goelJjgXS6ixrz5e0I3GyrldfWmqnHHJXkh08DuEmzSMvYXoGVW1NGXZcd9dLrChs8i1rrFE1QrEtC6Tua75-YIN7Trw/s400/headman-of-village-pipon-lachung-1203789.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lachung Pipon with Children Pic:Dr. Alice S Kandell 1971 May</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Approximating its exquisiteness, the village
has atypical hamlet institution known as <i>Dzumsa</i>.
<i><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dzumsa</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;">is a
traditional administrative body of the villages of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachen" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="Lachen"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: windowtext;">Lachen</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;">and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachung" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="Lachung"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: windowtext;">Lachung</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span><span style="background: white;">in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sikkim" style="text-decoration: initial;" title="North Sikkim"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: windowtext;">North Sikkim</span></a><span style="background: white;">. It is a
self-government system where a headman, known as the <i>'Pipon'</i>, is elected and the community where all the disputes are
settled in a democratic manner. The system of governance is traditional and
follows the tribal social organizational position which is entirely different, unique
and to some extent more democratic than the <i>Panchayati</i>
<i>Raj</i> institution prevalent in other districts
of Sikkim. The traditional village level organisation consists of the elders of
every household of the village including women and Lamas. It resembles some
features of the village governance prevalent in the Vedic Age known as <i>Sabha</i> and <i>Samiti</i>. Two persons are elected from amongst the members of the <i>Dzumsa</i> as the <i>Pipons</i>. They are assisted in their daily affairs by the Lamas known
as <i>Chutimpas</i>. The <i>Pipons</i> have wide powers and functions in
accordance with the customary laws. The <i>Dzumsa</i>
conferred verdict for all the cases including major ones in the villages of
Lachen and Lachung. It is important to mention here that, the term of the
office of <i>Dzumsa</i> is fixed for one
year and after accomplishing its term the office has to be dissolved and a
fresh election is to be conducted for the smoother functioning of the village
institution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">GYEL-PE-LETSEN-CHOBGYAL:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Gyel Pe Letsen Chobgyal is a
Committee comprised of eighteen senior members of Lachung Valley including five
monastery representatives. The committee
takes charges after the completion of the term of the elected <i>Pipons</i>. They remained active and execute
most of the duties, earlier executed by the elected <i>Pipons</i> until the new <i>Pipon</i>
is elected. This system of self-governance was established during the first
half of the 19th century in order to provide structure and solidity for
societies and their activities. Even after the merger of Sikkim with India the
traditional system of <i>Dzumsa</i> is still prevalent in North Sikkim.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com6Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.36521219999997427.138741500000002 88.324871699999974 27.1952505 88.405552699999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-28197053420978962122012-12-17T22:21:00.001+05:302012-12-18T07:29:28.827+05:30Tax Receipts of Feudal Sikkim collected at Chota Singtam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tax receipt of 1922</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2CnXBuptn1Y_ZfNfAfqfUBR0Ob6pVM3xTSuaO6fKx1RyOnAcmILV4MR_a-XcITY2RNJ94DBtFyOQ94IKJ4OkoKv0wmPYGgWJGla1g93SvV57kOGOz9FGvJdXlErB9kOvtKC7D_E7Hg5r/s1600/IMG_1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2CnXBuptn1Y_ZfNfAfqfUBR0Ob6pVM3xTSuaO6fKx1RyOnAcmILV4MR_a-XcITY2RNJ94DBtFyOQ94IKJ4OkoKv0wmPYGgWJGla1g93SvV57kOGOz9FGvJdXlErB9kOvtKC7D_E7Hg5r/s320/IMG_1918.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tax receipt after the abolition of Kazi and Thikadarism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Document
plays a vital role for the construction of History; devoid of it, history tastes
more story than a factual account. While undertaking field survey, I had been
able to gather few documents related to the monarchical Sikkim which are not
only rare but are atypical in their own ways. These peasant related documents are not available
in any of the collections or in achieve of the State of Sikkim. The documents
posted here belong to one Nar Dhoj Limboo of Rabitar Namchi, whose family was
shifted to Chota Singtam in East Sikkim during pre Second World War period. These
days the family of the said person is residing at the same village of Chota
Singtam where Nar Dhoj Limboo found asylum against the recurrent feudal
pressure. The once exiled family of Namchi has preserved many documents related
to the feudal Sikkim that provide a broader space for the peasants’ history of
Sikkim to dwell in. The oldest document which is maintained by the family of
Mr. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Harka Bahadur Limboo aka <i>Khukurey Bajey</i> of Chota Singtam, East Sikkim belonged to the year
1922. This document is a tax receipt paid by his father Nar Dhoj to the Mandal Kul
Bahadur Chettri of Sadam <i>Ilakha</i> on 31<sup>st</sup>
December 1922. Likewise, one can notice such proof of payments of the subsequent
years till 1936 before they got shifted to Chota Singtam. The striking features
of such receipts are the utilization of personal seals of the Thikadars by the
village Mandals instead of the <i>Lal Mohur</i>
or Royal Seals. The position and status of the <i>Thikadars</i> and the <i>Kazis</i> in
the feudalistic Sikkim are evident from the use of such personal Seals. The <i>Thikadar</i> of Sadam <i>Ilakha</i> used to be a Nepali, who was a Newar by caste. Therefore,
their seals bear an icon of a half moon (<i>Ardha
Chandra</i>) and Nepali remark of <i>Shree</i>.
But, there is a gradual change in the use of such seals. In a receipt issued by
Mandal Wangdu Lepcha of Sadam village to the same person on 31<sup>st</sup>
December 1932 bears mark of a rubber round seal that inscribes Moti Chand
Pradhan, Turuk <i>Ilakha</i> Sikkim. Again, some
of the receipts of the 50’s and 60’s have the earlier features.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-rTVGIjXH3t-oH0GyMoS-coO1OkUR9DJ8q9ldDMWupaYUvmb8gxX7weVYGmsO0cNdi9d4oVBvmyayBPdjpwSQGu0iy3GnSWh9B7z2EWzNR-JCfHESpwwbhUGDFhKx3_eZTZJtmu_Tdc8/s1600/IMG_1882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-rTVGIjXH3t-oH0GyMoS-coO1OkUR9DJ8q9ldDMWupaYUvmb8gxX7weVYGmsO0cNdi9d4oVBvmyayBPdjpwSQGu0iy3GnSWh9B7z2EWzNR-JCfHESpwwbhUGDFhKx3_eZTZJtmu_Tdc8/s320/IMG_1882.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A receipt of the membership fee of Sikkim State Congress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-x4OhOhrlDHD2DOR1qeWP_MPs18pg7gHS0P9p5fd3QEUXL2j4Bg0MBnmEUMNATX-bAW-mYELpUg6RMZDKSJcld0QKw4xJ8sjAsJcY5dqnDv-latnaQDx0LU3iTco4Sw8P4GVjqULYIHD/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-x4OhOhrlDHD2DOR1qeWP_MPs18pg7gHS0P9p5fd3QEUXL2j4Bg0MBnmEUMNATX-bAW-mYELpUg6RMZDKSJcld0QKw4xJ8sjAsJcY5dqnDv-latnaQDx0LU3iTco4Sw8P4GVjqULYIHD/s320/IMG_1893.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tax receipt of 1933 (post World War I and Pre World War II)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The most important document maintained by Mr. Harka
Bahadur Limboo is indeed the membership certificate of the Sikkim National
Congress. The membership fee to the earliest peasant organization of Sikkim was
made by a person named Man Bahadur Limboo, possibly, one of the brothers of Nar
Dhoj Limboo. The receipt confirms that the latter made a payment of 50 <i>Paise</i> (<i>Aath Anna</i>) to secure membership of the said organization. It also
bears signature of the Joint Secretary of the Sikkim State Congress (probably
of Namchi District) Mr. Kali Prasad Rai. Further, many receipts of <i>Kuts</i> and <i>Adhia</i> methods of revenue assessment are also preserved by him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The information about the family of Nar Dhoj Limboo and
the documents were acquired during field survey on 21st January 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-6552227133736389512012-12-17T18:00:00.003+05:302012-12-17T18:08:04.734+05:30Nga Dak Monastery once a Palace of Pende Ongmoo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nga-Dak Monastery at Namchi</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Nga Dak Monastery is situated 2 Kms above
Namchi that offers substantiation about the early Namgyals in a most voluminous
manner. It was primarily constructed as a palace for the most disastrous
Princess of Sikkim Pende Ongmo (Pendi Wangmoo) by King Chagdor Namgyal (Tensung
Namgyal?) in or around 1700 AD. This edifice has tolerated two major jolts in
the recent years and amidst nudges, the structure is yet standing and updating the
times of yore of the early Sikkim in general and the Namgyals in particular. Nga
Dak is a Tibetan word that corresponds to “promise”. Apart from abhorrence, the
monastery also symbolises a struggle for supremacy between Princess Pende
Ongmoo and Chagdor Namgyal that took place in the 2<sup>nd</sup> decade of the
18<sup>th</sup> century. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">King Chagdor Namgyal succeeded his father
Tensung Namgyal at the age of 14 in 1700 AD. Soon after his succession, trouble
arose between him and his half sister Pendi Ongmoo, who claimed that she was
entitled to the throne. Pendi Ongmoo, whose mother was a Bhutanese,
approached her maternal relatives for help and invited Bhutanese force to attack
Sikkim to evict her brother. As a sequel to this, the Bhutanese attacked
Rhabdentse, the then Capital of Sikkim and the areas adjoining to the Capital
remained under Bhutanese for more than seven years. The young King was rescued
by Yugthing Teshi, a loyal Councillor who took him to Lhasa via Elam and Walong
in Nepal. The King remained in Tibet for eight years leaving everything rampant
in his Kingdom. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXHKnR7jjV4jKoBPrfPs_Af6WnXQ1wKwGqFOpLgHssWHJYSEmrOUvESC7dz-25nWf4YGZ3VhDRmxbiAQjnYCdLNXme2QXJHyct4FLbHgSbqnPzbeCkUqCq3olCp5B7PUu3BmBA5QSEDVx/s1600/DSC05664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXHKnR7jjV4jKoBPrfPs_Af6WnXQ1wKwGqFOpLgHssWHJYSEmrOUvESC7dz-25nWf4YGZ3VhDRmxbiAQjnYCdLNXme2QXJHyct4FLbHgSbqnPzbeCkUqCq3olCp5B7PUu3BmBA5QSEDVx/s320/DSC05664.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room where Pende Ongmoo was executed </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB">Chagdor returned to Sikkim accompanied by a
Tibetan named Jigmed Pao and began to consolidate his position in Sikkim by
driving out the Bhutanese elements from Sikkimese territories. Under the guidance
of Lama Jigmed Pao, Chagdor accomplished the construction of Pemiongchi
monastery, one of the oldest and most famous monasteries in Sikkim. The monastery
consisted of 108 monks including the Raja himself who was an ardent Buddhist. The
most significant works of Chagdor Namgyal include Changa-Yig, a book on
monastic discipline, Rong-Chham, a religious dance in the honour of the Takpoo
or war like demons and he is also credited of the designing of Lepcha
alphabets. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old wooden printing system preserved at Nga Dag </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Pendi Ongmoo, the King’s half sister
however, was not solaced and the anomaly between them continued and culminated
into a crisis. She conspired with a Tibetan physician to kill the King and to
secure her position on the Sikkimese throne. During a visit to Ralong hot
spring in 1717, Pende Ongmoo insisted the physician to open the main artery of
the King which eventually caused the death of Chagdor Namgyal. After the death of the King, a force was sent to Namchi to execute the princess. The doctor was granted a fierce death by the Sikkimese ministers. Likewise Pende Ongmoo was put to death with a silk scarf inside a room of the Nga Dak palace.The place
is also known as Pende Lhaptse and it needs a serious attention of the concerned officials for its preservation. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-35841245185493151062012-03-04T09:13:00.000+05:302012-03-04T09:13:07.623+05:30Democracy Through Traditional Practices- Study on Pang Lhabsol<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Ugen Bhutia<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">Deepmoni Gogoi<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">INTRODUCTION-<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">From times immemorial, perhaps
after the birth of so called “Gods and religion” human civilization has fought
and is still fighting with each other to show their faith towards their God and
religion. This included escalation of one’s faith and domination and
exploitation of others. However, adoption of democracy in most of the countries
gave birth to the hope of peaceful settlements of conflicting issues. India has
adapted and turned out to be the largest democracy in spite of its
multidimensional ethnic diversity for building peace in its diverse
socio-cultural structure. But, the reality remains different. Today, despite of
many policies and programs, thousands of intellectual debates, India suffers
from ethnic conflicts and cultural imbalance. This is mainly due to lack of awareness of the grass
root level problems and lack of proper plans for integration and deprivation of
participation of different cultures together, which could have improved the
status of democracy in the nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jltPA67V8DOAv1VfcZVROS4bUMmJ1ko6AkG54G72iY7v3WgPlFpD9EA8Bk6GxU04R-XOTQhRnSGbBD48Fp6XyHEf-sdwEmu1kLC3bJJisiva_KXtJgRk30esecZKbed5b7DnkstDkkwJ/s1600/DSC00776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jltPA67V8DOAv1VfcZVROS4bUMmJ1ko6AkG54G72iY7v3WgPlFpD9EA8Bk6GxU04R-XOTQhRnSGbBD48Fp6XyHEf-sdwEmu1kLC3bJJisiva_KXtJgRk30esecZKbed5b7DnkstDkkwJ/s400/DSC00776.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Unity: Lepcha King Thi kong Tek and Khey Bumsa</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Among the North-Eastern states of
the country, Sikkim in particular, can be a model for integrated democratic
principle, cultural peace and assimilative attitude through its unique cultural
practices. Sikkim through its cultural practices proves that the ideology of
democracy should not be learnt from theories and academic writings alone.
Rather motto of democracy “of the people, by the people, for the people” is
inherent in our own rich heritage and age-old cultural traditions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Among all the festivals celebrated in Sikkim
Pang Lhabsol is a festival observed by the various indigenous communities of
the state. It has been traditionally an event which depicts the loving nature
of all the people who take part in it and thereby helps in the harmonious
development of the state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Similar to the other parts of the
country, Sikkim too is a culturally diverse state. Bhutias, Lepchas and Nepalese
are it indigenous communities who are different from each other on every
aspects of their life like language, food habits, clothing etc. But despite
these differences all the three communities come together to celebrate the
festival which is originally a Buddhist festival. As Lepchas and Bhutias belong
to the Buddhist community, the participation of Nepalese in the event
highlights the growing consciousness about being the Sikkimese and has turned
this festival into state festival. It<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">is the most unique festival celebrated in Sikkim, it is
held on the 15th day of the seventh month according to lunar calendar that
usually falls on the end of August or the month of September.</span> <span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once independent and ruled by a
Bhutia King, Sikkim today is 22<sup>nd</sup> state of Indian Union. With the
total area of 2,818 square miles or 7,096 square kilometres, it shares its
boundaries with Nepal on the west and Bhutan in the East and China in the
North. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lepchas are considered to be the
original inhabitants of Sikkim. On the other hand Bhutias migrated to Sikkim much
before 16<sup>th</sup> century from Tibet followed by Nepalese from Nepal. After
the merger with India in 1975, Sikkim became the 22<sup>nd</sup> state of
Indian Union and democracy flowed into the region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Background of Pang Lhabsol<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The history of Pang Lhabsol goes
back to 13<sup>th</sup> century when a prince of Kham Minyak House (China
occupied Tibet), while on pilgrimage in Tibet, performed a miraculous feat of
raising the main pillar of Sakya Monastery single handed which work otherwise
was possible to be executed by one hundred thousand people. He was, therefore,
given the title of Khye-Bum-Sa meaning ‘the strength of one lakh men’ by Sakya
Lama and was also offered Jomo Guru, daughter of Sakya Lama for marriage, which
Khye-Bum-Sa accepted. Soon newlywed couple settled at Phari in Chumbi Valley (now
part of China occupied Tibet). As the
couple had no child, they consulted the religious authorities for their
blessings for child so as to maintain the continuity of their hierarchy. After
deep consultation, the religious authorities were able to see the prophecy that
the lepcha seer in the land lying southwards would be able to give the boon of
children. Pursuing this prophesy, khye Bumsa proceeded southwards of Tibet and
passing through Yakla reached the present Lingchom area by sheer fulfilment of
supernatural events. There Khye Bhumsa met a hoary headed couple engaged in
cultivation and he enquired about the Lepcha seer of them. The couple lead the
strangers towards a small hut like cave Phyak- Tse below Phiongong at present
Rong-pa, they saw the hoary headed man wearing his native apparel and sitting
on a raised throne. He was Thekong Tek, Lepcha Chief of Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">After Khye Bumsa stated the
purpose of his visit, Lepcha chief blessed him a son. Soon after their return,
couple had a son and they again visited Lepcha Chief to express their thanks. It
was then that the Thekong Tek insisted for oath of Blood Brotherhood between
him and Khye Bumsa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">On a raw hide of animal sat
Thekong Tek and Khye Bumsa with the intestine of the animal tied around them
and blood splattered all around. The swearing of the oath of Blood Brotherhood
took place under the witness of Khanchendzonga. To perpetuate the treaty and
its objective of unity, peace and harmony amongst the future generation of the
land, a symbolic stone was erected as per tradition with blood splattered over
it. The place where the oath was taken is presently known as ‘kabi Longtsok’ in
North Sikkim. ‘Kabi’ meaning our blood, ‘long’ meaning stone and ‘Tsok’ meaning
erect in Lepcha. Altogether meaning ‘the erect stone with our blood which is an
oath sworn’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It is
this oath or the treaty of blood brotherhood that today is celebrated as Pang
Lhabsol meaning “worship of the guardian deities” in Sikkim. It has been
celebrated from the time of Chogyal (king) Chakdor Namgyal (early 17<sup>th</sup>
century), in commemoration of this treaty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">This inherited ritual is
performed by invoking the deities and paying tribute to them. Holy
Khanchendzonga which is still believed to be the protector of the land is one
of them. In earlier occasion Lepcha Boongthing (priest) who were believed to be
empowered with transcendental powers and good enchanter, were assigned to
perform these rituals. Performance of this ritual indicates that the promise of
ancestors has been maintained by their progeny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pang Lhabsol and Democracy-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sikkim does not appear to have a
long history of conflicts among different communities. Though there are some
evidence of cultural exchange and inter-community marriage among the members of
the three major communities in the past. During Chogyal (king) era, Pang
Lhabsol was celebrated as the brotherhood treaty between the two communities
i.e. Lepcha and Bhutia.the recent involvement of the Nepalis in the festival
has escalated the communal harmony. The equal participation of all the major
communities in the state highlights their inherent interest for the
festival.The festival though originally observed by the Lepchas and the Bhutias
, but in course of time the Nepalese
also started observing this festival.like the other communities the Nepalese
too observersed each and every ritual sincerely. Being so engrossed in this festival we find
the Nepalese assimilating with the other communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">the President of the Pang-Lhabsol
organizing Committee Mr T.Lachungpa on the occasion of erecting the Statue of
Unity in 1996, stated in a press meet that “the people from all communities got
together for the celebration and Pang Lhabsol’s real significance was
understood by all”. He further added that “the significance of the occasion is
that the Sikkimese has never come together in such numbers and with so much
enthusiasm to celebrate a festival unique to Sikkim. I’m not saying that we
should not participate in other functions and programmes, in fact, we should do
so with equal enthusiasm, but we should also ensure that this particular
occasion is celebrated in a bigger and grander fashion in the years to come.
There is no platform other than this when all Sikkimese can come together as a
single unit and celebrate their unity” the words of such a noble person who
gave his heart out for the commencement of the inauguration of the ‘statue of
unity’ still remains true. Even after 16 years, Pang Lhabsol is the only
festival which reminds people to be united, irrespective to their religion,
caste or community and integrates them at one place to celebrate a single
festival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnerIBwBgA3lm_vKSeXR6UCWy8ghlfUu9TAIr6vuB_pB3-XeKOwLKy29-OotIvVqODbvK7bnuW3tCIbVodB6uJ-gZrAtnW0CNbgd3w8WKp8f_4G7fE1Npp4SbW4guqA947AVLkMCkPPb9/s1600/SU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnerIBwBgA3lm_vKSeXR6UCWy8ghlfUu9TAIr6vuB_pB3-XeKOwLKy29-OotIvVqODbvK7bnuW3tCIbVodB6uJ-gZrAtnW0CNbgd3w8WKp8f_4G7fE1Npp4SbW4guqA947AVLkMCkPPb9/s400/SU.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic: panoramio.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">It will be erroneous to say that
there is completely no conflict between these communities in the state. After
merging with Indian Union in 1975, cultural-ethnical politics has emerged and
has been sustained and proliferated. The merger with India brought democracy in
the region followed by the growth in caste and community consciousness among
different groups and sub-groups which has led to mushrooming of several
caste/community organizations with claims and demands of their own.</span><span lang="EN-IN"> </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The
Lepcha organizations like Rangjyong Mutanchi RongOng Shejum (Sikkim lepcha
Youth Association) for example demands for fifty percent reservation in the
State Assembly, education and public employment, legal protection of their
land, separate delimitation etc.</span><span lang="EN-IN"> </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bhutia organizations
like Survival Sikkimese and Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee emphasize for
restoration of rights and privileges of community which they had been enjoying
earlier. On the other hand, the Nepali organization like Gorkha Apex Committee
has demanded for equal treatment at par with the Lepchas and Bhutia, and
extension of “creamy layer” concept to exclude members of royal families and
Kazis from the Tribal list. However, the situation is not out of control and
none of these associations has till date shown any sign of disturbing the peace
of the state. And many people in Sikkim believe that the reason for being peaceful and harmonious state is due to
observing festivals like Pang Lhabsol which sustains the light of brotherhood,
peace and harmony in the minds and hearts of the Sikkimese. And they are seen
to acquire moral virtues like tolerance,
patience and brotherhood. Inspite of the plurality of the Sikkimese community
the innocence and purity of Sikkimese people helps them to integrate and live
harmoniously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Conclusion</span></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the main objectives of
democracy is the development of a participatory way of life dedicated to the
liberation of the potentialities of its members and requires processes by which
different cultures and groups within a given culture, and individuals divided
by innumerable other differences can co-operate to solve problems. Pang lhabsol
is a festival which ensures participation equally by the members of the society
belonging to various ethnic communities in Sikkim. This festival acts as a
thread that binds the people of Sikkim with a single identity of a nation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><b style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">References</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1996- Souvenir-
Inauguration of Statue of Unity.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1998- Souvenir-
Celebration of Pang Lhabsol as day of brotherhood.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1996- Sikkim
Observer-National Hill Weekly.</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> 2011- Sikkim-Ethnicity And Political Dynamics</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Democracy
as Culture-Deweyan Pragmatism in a globalising world</span></b><b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">-<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Edited by Sor-Hoon</span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Tan & John Whalen-Bridge,
Published-2008
<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>This
paper was presented at a National Seminar on "Democracy and Diversity in
North-East India" at Guwahati university by Ugen Bhutia and Deepmoni Gogoi
(Sikkim University).</b><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com6Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.365212227.152869000000003 88.3454712 27.181123 88.3849532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-48491969882521038952012-03-03T15:26:00.000+05:302012-03-04T09:28:04.805+05:30Trilochan Pokhrel- The forgotten Gandhian of Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the first time when </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
heard his name I was in III Standard. It was in a Nepali book
called </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Kathamala</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> there was a collected story about Gandhi Pokhrel. My toddler
mind did not know who this person was and what was his contribution for Indian
independence? As an average student I might have mugged up his name many
times to write a proper answer about him during our annual assessment. I still
can remember the sentence written in the book “</span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Purba Sikkim Tareythang ka Gandhi
Pokhrel....</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">” (Gandhi Pokhrel from Tareythang East Sikkim). This was the
only knowledge we have gained about the great Gandhian Soul of Sikkim Late
Shree Trilochan Pokhrel a.k.a Gandhi Pokhrel or Bande Pokhrel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3On7SNBNfE1vkI41ucpSWNNb294hc-MVusBRIRQHdmrqWt0R8kQpiGBZrbHy8PA5s-2rzsWczrbg0SaF8zFi17grFEdf6Qfp-ikK2r_3NeQIxLaTGRlX3QpUH_8LM9zaH3ikMfYPG0wo/s1600/431618_398444886848158_100000479506041_1553680_1603447553_n+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3On7SNBNfE1vkI41ucpSWNNb294hc-MVusBRIRQHdmrqWt0R8kQpiGBZrbHy8PA5s-2rzsWczrbg0SaF8zFi17grFEdf6Qfp-ikK2r_3NeQIxLaTGRlX3QpUH_8LM9zaH3ikMfYPG0wo/s400/431618_398444886848158_100000479506041_1553680_1603447553_n+(2).jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Trilochan Pokhrel- The Forgotten Gandhian of Sikkim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Late
Gandhi Pokhrel was born at Tareythang Busty in Eastern Sikkim possibly in the
last decade of 19<sup>th</sup> Century (We do not have any evidence to assert
his year of birth). During his youth he was greatly influenced by the movements
of Mahatma Gandhi which were based on the fundamental principles of non
violence. We do not have much information about his involvements in the earlier
movements of Mahatma Gandhi like Non Co-operation Movement and Civil Disobedience
Movement. But, we can firmly claim his involvement in the famous <b><i>Bharat
Chhodo Aandolan</i></b> (Quit India Movement) of 1942 from his contemporaries. His
contemporaries inform us about his stay with Gandhiji at Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat and
Sarvodaya Ashram in Bihar. During his stay with Gandhiji he used to spin the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Charkha, </i>rendered his service for the Ashrams and assisted the Mahatma in his daily affairs. Late Trilochan
Pokhrel had an immense faith in the teachings of simple life by Mahatma Gandhi which
is manifested on the picture posted with this post. His contemporaries inform
us that he used to visit his native village very infrequently in the costumes
of the naked <b><i>fakir</i></b> Gandhi. Akin to Gandhiji he too wear a piece of cotton
<b><i>Dhoti</i></b>, with a pair of <b><i>Khadau</i></b> (an Indian slipper made up of
wood). Hence, they began to call him Gandhi Pokhrel. Further, few legends are
still alive in the village of Tareythang about late Trilochan Pokhrel. It is
said that he used to say <b><i>Bande Mataram</i></b> while greeting his elders
at the village. Therefore, they began to refer him as Bande Pokhrel. Still there
is a piece of land at the said village which once belong to this Gandhian known
as Pokhrel Bari (Land of Pokhrel). But, he never used to stay at his home for a
long time. Few elders of this village claim about their meeting with this
Gandhian soul of Sikkim. In one of the stories I have heard about his
involvement in propagating the concept of <b><i>Swadeshi</i></b> of Mahatma Gandhi among the
Sikkimese peasantry. During his leisure he used to go to Rongli Bazar and sit
there a side with his <b><i>charkha</i></b> (spinning wheel) to make cotton threads. Somebody
told us that during Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s visit to Sikkim in 1957 he had
come to his native place and used to talk about the enigmatic Indian Prime
Minister in a voluminous manner. Perhaps this was his last visit to his native
land and possibly he is the lone Sikkimese to take part in the Indian Struggle
for independence.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7Kfbyqz99zFfPMxfgx0cmpvYg8n0rIi6HXLjSKn0X3jq_rRkd2mXTn4doy5M2ZBbvGzwlTf9ikyIWpNCO1FjSnx9atP2YFSIRyqdSPosKTZucVVa0PYUOs6HxLhIS4k_9jSbViRIzh1a/s1600/Hamro+Bara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7Kfbyqz99zFfPMxfgx0cmpvYg8n0rIi6HXLjSKn0X3jq_rRkd2mXTn4doy5M2ZBbvGzwlTf9ikyIWpNCO1FjSnx9atP2YFSIRyqdSPosKTZucVVa0PYUOs6HxLhIS4k_9jSbViRIzh1a/s400/Hamro+Bara.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Tara Prasad Bhattarai of Tareythang Pic: Binod Bhattarai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While
inquiring about his descendants we were told that all his family members were
migrated to Assam long time back. Hence, we could not gather much information
about his other part of life. The only person from whom we can secure good
information about late Pokhrel is Mr. Tara Prasad Bhattarai of Kapurpatey
village. This retired teacher has still preserved few sources related to him. He
has maintained one of his photographs and an envelop which he received 43 years
ago from Bihar. The said envelop was posted from Purnia in Bihar which contains
the death confirmation of this Sikkimese Gandhian which read thus “<b>Expired on 27-1-69 at Prakritik
Chikitsalaya, Ranipatra, P.O Ranipatra District Purunia Bihar at 9 AM</b>”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
am greatly thankful to Mr. Binod Bhattarai Research Scholar in Sociology
Pondicherry University for sharing this photograph and additional information
about this </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Gandhian </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sikkimese. Further information about Late Trilochan Pokhrel
the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Sikkimese</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gandhian soul shall be updated in the blog. </span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com5Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.365212227.152869000000003 88.3454712 27.181123 88.3849532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-39028845869650388502012-03-02T12:42:00.000+05:302012-03-02T14:12:35.825+05:30Old Photographs from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Tibet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1A7zn966t2i2XSh3wLKlEG6acff-HsFKwiVo0wj2JwhGYCxtjGf6PvxRAbaODx1nQ3SYnZ8et02jgJoTpxc8AOkgqQBTi_yUYiOB-R-kVAUpVlbyC2UFj563mwhRDxHGeTcRey7TIFs4_/s1600/Bhutias+of+Darjeeling+-+1860's+Old+Indian+Photos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1A7zn966t2i2XSh3wLKlEG6acff-HsFKwiVo0wj2JwhGYCxtjGf6PvxRAbaODx1nQ3SYnZ8et02jgJoTpxc8AOkgqQBTi_yUYiOB-R-kVAUpVlbyC2UFj563mwhRDxHGeTcRey7TIFs4_/s400/Bhutias+of+Darjeeling+-+1860's+Old+Indian+Photos.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bhutias of Darjeeling in 1860's Pic Courtesy Old Indian Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD4HuoUSS_SoTqLsO3DIAxub8U2vmbTRF-LWXMShNJ21xTiRZw9vKdpArE_M51mtHGmULYwRSEz8tT5TQZha93RWscC111BuqGGxtNip1n2uXGYZS-F-HXpOJVck0Hs150RpaVoyAQXEa/s1600/British+Residency+Gangtok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD4HuoUSS_SoTqLsO3DIAxub8U2vmbTRF-LWXMShNJ21xTiRZw9vKdpArE_M51mtHGmULYwRSEz8tT5TQZha93RWscC111BuqGGxtNip1n2uXGYZS-F-HXpOJVck0Hs150RpaVoyAQXEa/s400/British+Residency+Gangtok.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gangtok Residency Pic: Charles Alfred Bell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVphH3XJQP4lV2A8UKy0OUfNiG7py6AskN9AVwfzey_YPn9ke2uP6xmIwQbkNZBxGjj5N8mKuIaGTSUz4wry0ZcS-EWJ-OcotpYcHuvZCiFjxn_iZ1cS3dKYes5a7zhh7oVbgjFlIkpKv5/s1600/Chumbi+Valley+utensils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVphH3XJQP4lV2A8UKy0OUfNiG7py6AskN9AVwfzey_YPn9ke2uP6xmIwQbkNZBxGjj5N8mKuIaGTSUz4wry0ZcS-EWJ-OcotpYcHuvZCiFjxn_iZ1cS3dKYes5a7zhh7oVbgjFlIkpKv5/s400/Chumbi+Valley+utensils.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chumbi Valley Utensils Pic: C.A Bell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06aFbyQ9n_78ANPlwDHRW5gtDTHav_5eUJqExQX1wkTTT7mI-Vfgc9MvWh0X33AG1y6D3jLNw0MUj-8S2LWA56uZvqq3o6uGg13EnPUAL4ZP0beEAHBprD9Wor2Lm1PBwR_pHBKZ_bzQQ/s1600/Nepalese+in+Lhasa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06aFbyQ9n_78ANPlwDHRW5gtDTHav_5eUJqExQX1wkTTT7mI-Vfgc9MvWh0X33AG1y6D3jLNw0MUj-8S2LWA56uZvqq3o6uGg13EnPUAL4ZP0beEAHBprD9Wor2Lm1PBwR_pHBKZ_bzQQ/s400/Nepalese+in+Lhasa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nepalese in Lhasa Pic: C.A Bell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SOcZXf5Re_DRlspRxCvRVayqEWW5qHNKersh4G3ry5SQsq4pni01RUFqIctPORy_3rFiDUQjRxnIiVkNeYoWPsH7V5VUZTbh38T7nCUOGjXkMpKhtYmGTTsOh-X1mveFXI-B4DA7u-DE/s1600/Rabden+Lepcha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SOcZXf5Re_DRlspRxCvRVayqEWW5qHNKersh4G3ry5SQsq4pni01RUFqIctPORy_3rFiDUQjRxnIiVkNeYoWPsH7V5VUZTbh38T7nCUOGjXkMpKhtYmGTTsOh-X1mveFXI-B4DA7u-DE/s400/Rabden+Lepcha.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C A Bell with the Tibetans in Lhasa </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfCS6mSUAONhO6CRuqUn7gIyW7PpsBpeVIcQzZRebnZ8hJovBUureK2dSlXTEnHquZvgegCC4OXSn58Cwfsg08j2qfbGSrgCFPiK45qqxbC78uE8OgfidicWU0X3IxZLu8erJRAZzrt16/s1600/Sky+Burial+in+Tibet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfCS6mSUAONhO6CRuqUn7gIyW7PpsBpeVIcQzZRebnZ8hJovBUureK2dSlXTEnHquZvgegCC4OXSn58Cwfsg08j2qfbGSrgCFPiK45qqxbC78uE8OgfidicWU0X3IxZLu8erJRAZzrt16/s400/Sky+Burial+in+Tibet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky Burial in Tibet Pic: C A Bell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11mIZ60XR0V5l5XmK68C_CnVqVWY7KKI0jAffjWqRlEw-G7WPJ4D1qcnDEeDCYNNbHi8NIjSPnioCcAO8DozhaWZa6vuEjVRwoR09vJCwScLxxnFW5CtPhsUXSkA_a-r7XsG0o6zAR2B/s1600/317140_177548225661903_100002201801005_382173_1348711229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11mIZ60XR0V5l5XmK68C_CnVqVWY7KKI0jAffjWqRlEw-G7WPJ4D1qcnDEeDCYNNbHi8NIjSPnioCcAO8DozhaWZa6vuEjVRwoR09vJCwScLxxnFW5CtPhsUXSkA_a-r7XsG0o6zAR2B/s400/317140_177548225661903_100002201801005_382173_1348711229_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namchi Bazar in the 70's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkbGBQly6l6JkBjwX0-qv63Y5kIbt6tPZpKew_IObLzoKwT1vsdCRYUIwnXJvNRiiMPAPFcn6c3eUaTyvUGT9sY6zVwXnZxgAZ33BWL21chil01mxRsHyz45iRlXt-V_NtwoB6Y-V6dWc/s1600/427350_368146163199316_100000118067125_1604464_197449149_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkbGBQly6l6JkBjwX0-qv63Y5kIbt6tPZpKew_IObLzoKwT1vsdCRYUIwnXJvNRiiMPAPFcn6c3eUaTyvUGT9sY6zVwXnZxgAZ33BWL21chil01mxRsHyz45iRlXt-V_NtwoB6Y-V6dWc/s400/427350_368146163199316_100000118067125_1604464_197449149_n.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Sikkimese Queen Hope Cooke with her son Prince Palden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ndeBKVY3SYgb_zUSrfR8ThteUY0c3490pddT4xbckFpSuWB3ixNvH9yoCOZnJxNeoIHerz7hRQTgQ0BLkSCxBS4XQ0f1-yVsYL41Ldk__U3fTzMFT_U9srH3i9HjQE8CCojszL0ig03N/s1600/396091_10150553474336085_515761084_10778118_1237481822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ndeBKVY3SYgb_zUSrfR8ThteUY0c3490pddT4xbckFpSuWB3ixNvH9yoCOZnJxNeoIHerz7hRQTgQ0BLkSCxBS4XQ0f1-yVsYL41Ldk__U3fTzMFT_U9srH3i9HjQE8CCojszL0ig03N/s400/396091_10150553474336085_515761084_10778118_1237481822_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. N.B Bhandari the Second Chief Minister of Sikkim in the 70's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdVaeUaXCHBOPvxNODaEh3U4OjU7CHsNmNLooeoYBTtwobQW1Zb5LvwP3H2_kCdkzn-h8XWKFij3q-my4he2tJJO4_raO-a1ZEhuXA424picNWdWsM45QxfQDenCxySJCaMJDVcPBkds2/s1600/376122_10150553473341085_515761084_10778111_1061103334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdVaeUaXCHBOPvxNODaEh3U4OjU7CHsNmNLooeoYBTtwobQW1Zb5LvwP3H2_kCdkzn-h8XWKFij3q-my4he2tJJO4_raO-a1ZEhuXA424picNWdWsM45QxfQDenCxySJCaMJDVcPBkds2/s400/376122_10150553473341085_515761084_10778111_1061103334_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. N B Bhandari in the 80's</td></tr>
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Note: The pictures posted above are collected from various websites and social networking sites. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com2Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.365212227.152869000000003 88.3454712 27.181123 88.3849532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-43728713938833190802012-03-01T16:33:00.000+05:302012-03-01T17:11:17.532+05:30Government Senior Secondary School Ranipool- A Story of its Establishment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HBVW-aP6Jz2xHobELbDkFVsFdSK4NWnyylEV0P5M_r17DpRH73YrDRGiLB2_ZoX7V8gJ0TYIPGHwKXSSNJP4LEcLwLkMT6iQyJofdIYTPWjN00S8gglYPDrEt8HR4jzb0D0lnHe1x_JP/s1600/IMG_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HBVW-aP6Jz2xHobELbDkFVsFdSK4NWnyylEV0P5M_r17DpRH73YrDRGiLB2_ZoX7V8gJ0TYIPGHwKXSSNJP4LEcLwLkMT6iQyJofdIYTPWjN00S8gglYPDrEt8HR4jzb0D0lnHe1x_JP/s400/IMG_2029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranipool School at Ghatttey Hill in the 60's<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since my school days I was always curious to know about the
founder of the school from where I got into the world of knowledge and
acquaintance. It was indeed a slumbered historical sense that was at its
initial stage which forced me to know much about the founder of my school. I
also had a big question on my infant mind why my school was entitled as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><i>Ghattey<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b><span style="font-size: small;">School? Few people informed me that before the establishment
of a school at the earlier site there used to be a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>Pani Ghatta</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> (Grinding machine that runs with water power)
and the place was thence known as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><i>Ghattey Dara<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b>(Ghattey Hill). Hence after the commencement of a Primary
School at the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>Ghattey</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> Hill the school got its name as Ghattey School.
Few others informed me that the school was founded by a person from Namli
called Brihaspati Parsai. This was the only knowledge that I had been able to
acquire about Government Senior Secondary School Ranipool before I accomplished
my Twelfth Standard.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsGp46z_M7jngKBBQW9kMaXHY8Xn9qZfJPAiA0TSv4SauunK9IMST0-LJQGyG_hn100QkDXLjD0zl8a4I3yQqmQ3hqgM6mE3oiYVQJ925ZZy0aYdIQJB5AZeVVm56PoDI9r_AEvMr-Rmo/s1600/IMG_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsGp46z_M7jngKBBQW9kMaXHY8Xn9qZfJPAiA0TSv4SauunK9IMST0-LJQGyG_hn100QkDXLjD0zl8a4I3yQqmQ3hqgM6mE3oiYVQJ925ZZy0aYdIQJB5AZeVVm56PoDI9r_AEvMr-Rmo/s400/IMG_2040.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teachers' and Students' in the 60's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuoMuUko1gr-9Xh3NJedLBHd27DPIGUQcQUKhZXnGJytfrwt0tsmZSlqeCl8kKddDsemKQU244s-fvyf54Q7PcXOxNT3HUVqe25-LNxt9jT3xSXZbxmjD5veKRkhyphenhyphenY6X18UsBa1UaTd6z/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuoMuUko1gr-9Xh3NJedLBHd27DPIGUQcQUKhZXnGJytfrwt0tsmZSlqeCl8kKddDsemKQU244s-fvyf54Q7PcXOxNT3HUVqe25-LNxt9jT3xSXZbxmjD5veKRkhyphenhyphenY6X18UsBa1UaTd6z/s320/IMG_2056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Brihaspati Parsai collecting funds for the School </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To
acquire more knowledge about Government Sr. Sec. School Ranipool I decided to
meet the descendents of the founder of my School during my fieldwork. I met Mr.
N. B Parsai one of the sons of Late Brihaspati Parsai from whom I had been able
to extract many unheard and unknown facts about the establishment of the said
school. According to him the founder of Ghattey School Late Brihaspati Parsai
had never seen any schools in his childhood. During the construction of NH 31A
he worked there as a labour and later became an A Class contractor. In 1944 as a
contractor he took up the task of “Cutting off Land” where he had to suffer a heavy
loss. The Officer of Public Works Department Fakir Chand Jali (who was also the
First Overseer and First Chief Engineer of Sikkim) told him that he incurred
loss owing to his lack of knowledge in English language. That incident was a
turning point for the foundation of Ranipool School. Immediately after this event
Late Parsai with the help of a supervisor started a school in 1945 at Labours’
Quarter. Later Brihaspati Parsai asked a piece of land from one <b><i>Langadey</i></b>
(Limp) Kazi for the construction of a school. The Kazi was kind enough to
donate a piece of land to start a school at Ghattey Dara. Thus, the foundation
of Ranipool School was laid with the efforts of an illiterate at the Ghattey
Hill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mr.
N. B Parsai has given me additional information about the first teachers of
this school. According to him, Late Jayadev Sharma of Rumtek and Damber Gurung
were the first teachers to serve Ranipool School. He further updated me that
the school was once visited by Maharajkumar Sahib Palden Thondup Namgyal. “<i>It was in the summer of 1946 a Wyllian Jeep
came to the school compound and a gentleman in a royal costume came out of it. We
did not pay much heed to know about him as we were busy in playing. The gentleman
looked us for a while and moved into the office. Within a minute Jaydev Sir
came out and introduced him as Maharajkumar Sahib. Maharajkumar Sahib Palden
Thondup Namgyal encouraged our teachers to impart good education to the
children. It was indeed a great moment for all the students to get a glimpse of
the Maharajkumar Sahib at our School Compound</i>”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd2kLykR67-59Gwjfsxma3s80kYZUprT3j2vj5D9ESzlfFRvu_Cj6_ibhwjFHr5GJvyD__e3irGm35flO8qnPI9r_qcN8vDTrbpJyfKo1QLVrPIMBCNVY4RpQXgS4J7CqZUec_2SiI_z_/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd2kLykR67-59Gwjfsxma3s80kYZUprT3j2vj5D9ESzlfFRvu_Cj6_ibhwjFHr5GJvyD__e3irGm35flO8qnPI9r_qcN8vDTrbpJyfKo1QLVrPIMBCNVY4RpQXgS4J7CqZUec_2SiI_z_/s400/IMG_2042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcoming the dignitaries during an event in the 60's </td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Late
Brihaspati Parsai had a deep lament that he could not study therefore; he had a
determined thought that the children of peasants would be suppressed until they
do not get education. Hence, with the intention of educating everybody he
raised donation to run the Ghattey Hillock School. For several years he himself
paid the salary for the teachers and other staff. Later the Royal Palace turned
the Ghattey Hill School into a government aided institution and began to
provide a grant of Rs. 30/- per month. But, the sanctioned amount from the
Royal Sikkim Government was not enough to run a full fledged school. Therefore,
late Brihaspati Parsai moved from door to door asking for donation for the
salary of the teachers.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All
the students of today’s Brihaspati Parsai Memorial Senior Secondary School are
greatly indebted to its illiterate founder who had an extreme faith in
educating the masses for a colossal change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHku88qCBzue8iR3eSnNqh1dRonw-xh0I2C5DODvYFimG9XMIVIULUuRnuW6bGk_jNRBov1AlKYsUAnqVof1WaLLT5KXlcJOoM40EC1kZOqGQN7Mbk-kd5LcjhHo6wqJr4FMGhKEDt0-m/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHku88qCBzue8iR3eSnNqh1dRonw-xh0I2C5DODvYFimG9XMIVIULUuRnuW6bGk_jNRBov1AlKYsUAnqVof1WaLLT5KXlcJOoM40EC1kZOqGQN7Mbk-kd5LcjhHo6wqJr4FMGhKEDt0-m/s400/IMG_2043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students and Teachers with new furniture on the day of becoming a Govt. aided school</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn-uEemug1qlFJ_bVfDVoSr2JL5sHAbzitndCdjNEZ-7_0sOoTRn2id1V-tWfbKnnz5QmFkzDTCTM3NfsBNDvK_niQ2dZNmL-TexRnUGKXnOJ107q20NGG7YSvnrA-qlkQNuEovj3i7yM/s1600/Ranipool+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn-uEemug1qlFJ_bVfDVoSr2JL5sHAbzitndCdjNEZ-7_0sOoTRn2id1V-tWfbKnnz5QmFkzDTCTM3NfsBNDvK_niQ2dZNmL-TexRnUGKXnOJ107q20NGG7YSvnrA-qlkQNuEovj3i7yM/s320/Ranipool+school.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent picture of Brihaspati Parsai Memorial School </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Respecting
the contributions of Late Brihaspati Parsai to impart modern education among
the peasantry of Sikkim the Sikkim Government has changed the name of
Government Sr. Secondary School Ranipool as Brihaspati Parsai Memorial Senior
Secondary School. For the encouragement among the students the Parsai family of
Namli is providing a scholarship of Rs. 10,000/- each every year for the best
two students of the school founded by their grandpa late Brihaspati Parsai. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com1Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.365212227.152869000000003 88.3454712 27.181123 88.3849532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-20494390333920012562012-02-29T21:32:00.000+05:302012-02-29T21:32:25.612+05:30Brihaspati Parsai- The Peasant Leader of Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJofVJr-PDfC15a6UODUkiqFo0BuhIX0CbJ9Js2Hy5iyAaSPw_ep9gkI3ArgQqmwt0JjLPoqClhzmUxj7So3hi0RO7OxshZr4XSbsG7TBh57ZlSdTt-fOBbDOb19r1x2EYH-WMMHe9Enkp/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJofVJr-PDfC15a6UODUkiqFo0BuhIX0CbJ9Js2Hy5iyAaSPw_ep9gkI3ArgQqmwt0JjLPoqClhzmUxj7So3hi0RO7OxshZr4XSbsG7TBh57ZlSdTt-fOBbDOb19r1x2EYH-WMMHe9Enkp/s400/IMG_2052.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Brihaspati Parsai addressing peasants at Rangpo during Satyagraha<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Late Brihaspati Parsai a.k.a <b><i>Parsai Bajey </i></b>was born on 30</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
June 1899 at </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Karkaley Pipaley</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> village of Mechi district of Nepal. At the age
of seven he lost his father Tikaram Parsai and two of his brothers due to
chickenpox. In frustration, his mother decided to leave their original place
and took 10 years old Brihaspati to the plains of Jhapa in Nepal. There young
Brihaspati lost his mother due to malaria and became a total orphan. After hiding
the corpse of his mother at a forest at a place called </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Chandragadi</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> in Jhapa
district, the young lad moved further east and reached </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Silagadi</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (now the place
is known as Siliguri). He stayed at </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Silagadi</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> for a year and thought of
entering Sikkim. Coincidentally, he met a bullock carts’ caravan moving towards
Sikkim and by pursuing it he reached lower Martam (32 Number the place is also
called Middle Camp). It was at Martam the orphan met Chandrasingh Bhansari a Thikadar
(Contractor) of Martam Estate who took him home and gave him the task of
shepherd. Impressed by his truthfulness and diligence, the Thikadar gave one of
his daughters Chulmaya in marriage to Brihaspati. After his marriage he bought
a piece of land at Namli, a village near Ranipool and began to live a life of a
householder.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTG7al0lliW_jmonv-xbiGS235y5CatirFYeS87JGP2-CChV-3t03jFxjI1rlzbWiiTGW2R9RAYDrbbpgx7fMYAUU8BmPhPjm_yRDzfMlfqZjvz17lHkLO2mbUYB1hYuRkfk_RDK512db/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTG7al0lliW_jmonv-xbiGS235y5CatirFYeS87JGP2-CChV-3t03jFxjI1rlzbWiiTGW2R9RAYDrbbpgx7fMYAUU8BmPhPjm_yRDzfMlfqZjvz17lHkLO2mbUYB1hYuRkfk_RDK512db/s400/IMG_2048.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late Parsai (sitting) with L.D Kazi (Right to him)</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
the conclusion of First World War Sikkimese peasants also began to witness little
development in their Kingdom. It was during this period the construction of auto
able road from Siliguri to Gangtok commenced which is now known as NH 31 A.
Brihaspati also began to work as a coolie in the construction process, and then
he became a supervisor and finally a contractor. He was a founder member of
Sikkim State Congress and also an educational enthusiast who had played a vital
role for the foundation of Ranipool School at <b><i>Ghattey </i></b>Hill. His
contributions and efforts for the foundation of said school will soon be updated
in the blog. After the formation of Sikkim State Congress on 7<sup>th</sup>
December 1947 late Parsai unconditionally threw him in politics. He became the
Publicity Secretary of the newly founded Sikkim State Congress and began to
raise his voice against the vices of feudalism like <b><i>Kalobhari, Jharlangi, Theki
Bethi, Kuruwa and Ghar-Lauri</i></b>. In the beginning, the Central Office of
Sikkim State Congress was raised at Rangpo. Due to his witty and mocking speech
against the exploitation he was arrested during Satyagraha of 1949 at Rangpo
and was put behind the bars for 62 days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dWB6lmVsjRZtrD0_pL2oMAQwyC-LUD_SWSF-wnMhRY6gSZZ3wf_ty1awtxcK7JLY4ivcxfHg9UTUZtAufVmRPuFFBNCVHJy0WwTAtcaCutITGPycKtAcXUnrTSgsUgKtS8XGuu4jjYIC/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dWB6lmVsjRZtrD0_pL2oMAQwyC-LUD_SWSF-wnMhRY6gSZZ3wf_ty1awtxcK7JLY4ivcxfHg9UTUZtAufVmRPuFFBNCVHJy0WwTAtcaCutITGPycKtAcXUnrTSgsUgKtS8XGuu4jjYIC/s400/IMG_2067.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parsai leading a procession at Singtam in 1961</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Late
Parsai played a vital role for the elimination of parity system from Sikkim. During
agitation of 1973, he led a procession to the Sikkim Palace which was thence
asking for one man one vote. The Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal coming out of
the palace questioned late Parsai “What do you want?” He answered “We want the
King, we do not want the Councillors, and we need Ministry, not one man six
votes but one man one vote”. It is to be noted here that the greatest cause for
dissatisfaction of the peasants during the agitation of 1973 was the notorious
Parity System in Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4sUCM0FYQng3zt8J3TEpkeZEkXkIEKe1SO-Vd8o5Btt0yRXouREhkTxmTL8OaJln3qxs9AZ1MejO350iXGYaz6Qhq3DiSPa3xDnreEwNJ9kRK1mVQhj2f_64npqh9yhWWW_vERnoNs4b/s1600/IMG_2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4sUCM0FYQng3zt8J3TEpkeZEkXkIEKe1SO-Vd8o5Btt0yRXouREhkTxmTL8OaJln3qxs9AZ1MejO350iXGYaz6Qhq3DiSPa3xDnreEwNJ9kRK1mVQhj2f_64npqh9yhWWW_vERnoNs4b/s400/IMG_2070.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People gathered at Alley Ground Namchi to listened to Late Parsai</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">During
my field work I got an opportunity to meet one of his sons Mr. N. B Parsai an
ex- teacher who also has a greater involvement for the development of Ghattey
Hill School. He has informed me that his father was a person who always
believed in the theory of <b><i>Karma</i></b> enunciated by the Upanishads. It
is because of this philosophy of Upanishad he had been able to contribute a
greater part of his life for the liberation of the Sikkimese subjects from the
clutches of Kazism and Thikadarism. Many of his contemporaries have informed me
that he was a brawny politician who used to speak as if he has nothing to loose
in this world. Most of such contemporaries were inspired by his flamboyant
speech consequently they joined late Parsai to uproot the evils of forced
labour from Sikkim. This stalwart of
Sikkimese politics died at the age of 80 on the evening of 9<sup>th</sup> June
1979 at his residence at Namli in East Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Namchi, Sikkim, India27.166996 88.365212227.152869000000003 88.3454712 27.181123 88.3849532tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-12405516691604427712012-02-05T20:15:00.002+05:302012-02-05T20:50:57.646+05:30An Old Hukkah found at Chota Singtam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtb58s0RSMeAIu6D1Is-2qxrXa12KEl-AGPgmdl93aQocEw9n45p5jkI5rzwANfDASZFfbsshHtdQ7YaB8rgnmqY-utNQDEZRyYnLtxZsC4QBZFubNPgnJuFPWjsXScX9L53Rs7B4SjYZ7/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtb58s0RSMeAIu6D1Is-2qxrXa12KEl-AGPgmdl93aQocEw9n45p5jkI5rzwANfDASZFfbsshHtdQ7YaB8rgnmqY-utNQDEZRyYnLtxZsC4QBZFubNPgnJuFPWjsXScX9L53Rs7B4SjYZ7/s400/IMG_1870.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Old Hukkah</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This
winter I was busy with my fieldwork that gave me an opportunity to visit many
villages and meet various people who had observed the reign of independent
monarchs of our state. It was indeed a great experience for me to be
there with the peasants who in the course of their contribution to the
state are yet unknown to the history of Sikkim. I am talking here about those
folks who are always in majority and have constantly made compromises for
their survival and also have for eternity proven to be a backbone of a state’s
economy by paying taxes. In lieu of their contribution in the form of tax,
rents and free services they were cheated and were treated not better than a
slave. Amid to their involvements to the state these peasants
are not only ignored by the authorities but are sometimes even
disregarded by the enlightened eyes of the historians and researchers.
Hence, being a grandson of a peasant, I thought of writing a history of this
“out-of-the-way” segment of the erstwhile Sikkimese society.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLI3BzCDoJC4fGBX4Uuypi5YalIFY2gU4SyjAAXtP-0fyHIncXUoK5SV8PzKT5CwasIXqQeICOnomieQwI_h5Me-GqIvC5HWSz4lc6lzGBnfJW-fSOGFIPrFuPL4hJVmZ5kbAsvhOg1-k/s1600/IMG_1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLI3BzCDoJC4fGBX4Uuypi5YalIFY2gU4SyjAAXtP-0fyHIncXUoK5SV8PzKT5CwasIXqQeICOnomieQwI_h5Me-GqIvC5HWSz4lc6lzGBnfJW-fSOGFIPrFuPL4hJVmZ5kbAsvhOg1-k/s400/IMG_1871.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It used to be covered while smoking</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While
doing my survey I met many peasants who carried the most hatred <b><i>Kalobhari,
Jharlangi</i></b> and worked in the fields of <b><i>Kazi, Thikadars</i></b> and <b><i>Mandals</i></b>
as <b><i>Bethi
Khetala</i></b> (a free service for three days in the field of Mandals and
Kazis during cultivation). Their narration about the injustice they had faced
has made me even stronger to write about them. They were just innocent, naive
and childlike and due to their worrying nature they were severely exploited by
the Kazis and other feudal machineries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3fIzmLaDDpmgLXKPPbWHlC4fetxlKZJeypKc6bNPlmLpkIVMJH4GSmf9LHglac70xME_z9db7Tv0xZrD1h88F2GazZ3TvRHPXZaVByQAFmMM656Cn68Dk1BbSuzPy6-FSXBg0xCyzvZZ/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3fIzmLaDDpmgLXKPPbWHlC4fetxlKZJeypKc6bNPlmLpkIVMJH4GSmf9LHglac70xME_z9db7Tv0xZrD1h88F2GazZ3TvRHPXZaVByQAFmMM656Cn68Dk1BbSuzPy6-FSXBg0xCyzvZZ/s400/IMG_1873.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There used to be a pipe at the end which is now destroyed</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0xX_-lI-u9TFSjQvNt-CWh3CXo3rUxfsg_0n1WtZyfWnLNynAC_TqHFGCwLZfJbn6OSZjf8al_EAvlQio_He92lzrPljfzvlcDB1StOJKYuAFQpxLSW_OxhhBQoj3gu8AX4o-DFXSwcj/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0xX_-lI-u9TFSjQvNt-CWh3CXo3rUxfsg_0n1WtZyfWnLNynAC_TqHFGCwLZfJbn6OSZjf8al_EAvlQio_He92lzrPljfzvlcDB1StOJKYuAFQpxLSW_OxhhBQoj3gu8AX4o-DFXSwcj/s400/IMG_1889.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tax Receipt of Birdhoj Limboo paid on 31 Dec 1922</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Apart
from my questionnaire, I have discussed with them in some other topics and also
got other information about their day to day affaires. Interestingly, few people
have shown me some antiques and documents related to their times of yore. The
picture of today’s post is an old and a broken Hukkah (a untensil made up of brass to smoke
tobacco mostly used in Northern India and Nepal) used by a person called
Birdhoj Limboo of Namchi Rabitar somewhere in the first decade of 20<sup>th</sup>
century. Later his family got migrate to Chota Singtam in East Sikkim and are at
present living there. Presently, this Hukkah is being preserved by one of his grandsons Harka
Bahadur Limboo who is now 85. According to him, this Hukkah originally belonged
to his great grandpa who brought it from Nepal. It is to be noted here that the
use of such items were marked as the symbol of prosperity in the earlier Nepali
society. If we have to believe Harka Bahadur, then its year of origin goes back to 1870’s or 80’s. Now in almost broken condition this Hukkah
is still bringing smiles on the face of Harka Bahadur who is keeping it with innermost
respect as a souvenir of his ancestors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com2Namchi Sikkim, India27.5329718 88.512217827.0824128 87.8805038 27.983530799999997 89.1439318tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-3725817011153130392012-02-05T12:49:00.000+05:302012-02-05T12:49:29.841+05:30Paljor Namgyal- The Pilot Prince of Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq7JzLYvSp2b5jPr_HUJy35CCHTUJ_Ay4BOgaGM9o3whxwYLZM-jn_ZI_-bLDT66VXw2i8_LrMYDIAzyZbga0lGFZmvZXTg1nk3W-tsjF4FWcK39-_8suJTumdvVg86CVHWcP_oZrZzaY/s1600/166849_496937339419_111249159419_5867593_7760591_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq7JzLYvSp2b5jPr_HUJy35CCHTUJ_Ay4BOgaGM9o3whxwYLZM-jn_ZI_-bLDT66VXw2i8_LrMYDIAzyZbga0lGFZmvZXTg1nk3W-tsjF4FWcK39-_8suJTumdvVg86CVHWcP_oZrZzaY/s200/166849_496937339419_111249159419_5867593_7760591_n.jpg" width="152" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;">Prince
Paljor Namgyal, the first and the only Pilot prince of Sikkim</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
was born on 26thNovember, 1921 at the Royal Palace, Gangtok to <span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;">the Eleventh </span>Maharaja of Sikkim, Sir Tashi
Namgyal, K.C.I.E, K.C.S.I. and Maharani Kunzang Dechen. His original name
was Kunzang Choley <span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;">and he was the eldest son
of the Eleventh Royal Couple of Sikkim. In 1930, he was sent along with his
younger brother, Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal and their sister Princess Pema
Tsedeun to St. Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong. Prince Palzor Namgyal was
further educated at St. Paul’s School, Darjeeling and St. Joseph’s
College, Darjeeling. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Crown Prince, Paljor Namgyal was commissioned as a Pilot
Officer in the Royal Indian Air Force and<span style="letter-spacing: 1.5pt;"> based
at Ambala. He served in World War II in 1940-41</span>. As a true ally of the
British Indian Government, Sikkim had greatly served in providing manpower in
the said world war. It is to be noted here that many Sikkimese family had also
send their children to fight against the English foes and few of them had been
able to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;">receive</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> the
esteemed Victoria Cross. But, m<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;">ost wretchedly,
Paljor Namgyal was killed in active service after he crash landed in flight
near Peshawar, on 20</span>th<span style="letter-spacing: .75pt;">December, 1941.
He was merely 20 years </span>old then. Regarding the death of the Crown Prince
of Sikkim the Bharat Rakshak an official website of Indian Air Force has published
this information “<i>On 8th December, war
was declared with Japan and the Squadron was ordered to the Burma front on 14th
December. The Squadron returned to Peshawar two days later. As there was
a shortage of air gunners, volunteers were called from among the fitters,
riggers and other ground crew members. The airmen volunteered almost to a man.
They were trained on a fast track basis in less than a fortnight. </i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Squadron suffered its first casualty on the Lysander on 20th
December 1941, when Pilot Officer Paljor Namgyal, who at that time was the
crown prince of the Kingdom of Sikkim, undershot trying to land at Peshawar.
The aircraft R1989 hit a bund and overturned - killing the pilot and seriously
wounding the observer</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The tragic death of
the Sikkimese Prince has also been mentioned by PVS Jagan Mohan in his book ‘The
Westland Lysander in Indian Air force Service’ in the following manner “<i>The squadron suffered its first casualty on
the Lysander on 20<sup>th</sup> December 1941, when Pilot Officer C Dhairyam,
with Pilot Officer Paljor Namgyal as his passenger undershoot trying to land at
Peshawar. The Air craft R1989 hit a bund and overturned - killing the pilot and
seriously wounding the pilot. Palzor Namgyal was the Crown Prince of Sikkim and
his death was a major blow to the people of the small Himalayan Kingdom</i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB">”</span></i><span lang="EN-GB">(P14). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv6lUgxhhlpgQnQO-CvSmLHh9oISx69nWgJNGy2D6jhdhEhOHVqpDZqbk4c3aTBI0jVF5HPEhH96tcNA5640oQyDgpPqCbBUCO4ghMIwrn6ghfLGB87_-8R84KDlbxx80fd9Z1AFxnMVK/s1600/166849_496937339419_111249159419_5867593_7760591_n+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxv6lUgxhhlpgQnQO-CvSmLHh9oISx69nWgJNGy2D6jhdhEhOHVqpDZqbk4c3aTBI0jVF5HPEhH96tcNA5640oQyDgpPqCbBUCO4ghMIwrn6ghfLGB87_-8R84KDlbxx80fd9Z1AFxnMVK/s400/166849_496937339419_111249159419_5867593_7760591_n+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As an Air Pilot Prince Paljor Pic: http://sikhim.blogspot.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;">Most
unfortunately, we have very little credentials about the pilot prince Paljor
Namgyal. Few photographs that include his portrait in the Air force uniform are
the only source to write something about him. During my fieldwork, I have been
able to get a bit of unwritten information about the late Crown Prince of
Sikkim. Few old Sikkimese, especially those who have seen him during their
lifetime, have an immense respect and love for Paljor Namgyal. An old person
Mr. Harka Bahadur Subba of Chota Singtam along with few old people has informed
me that the Prince was a placid and a kind person. Once while hunting Prince
Paljor reached to a house of an old Lepcha lady at Nandok in East Sikkim. She was
unaware about his gigantic position and she offered </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Dhero</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;"> (meal prepared from
millet mostly consumed by the poor peasants during feudalistic Sikkim) to him
for his dinner. He inquired about the poverty of the old lady and came to know
about the forceful collection of </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Dhurikhajana</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;"> and the prevalence of </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Kalobhari,
Jharlangi</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;"> and </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Theki bethi </i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;">as forced labor. After spending
a night at the home of the old lady the prince recoiled to his palace and
informed his father Maharaja Tashi Namgyal about the utter poverty of their
subjects and insisted him for the immediate removal of the forced labour and
Dhurikhajana. Before the king could do anything in this regard, the Kazis and
other feudal elements misguided the king to send his eldest son to join the
Royal Air Force and was finally killed in an air crash.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jjd5o4oUXhHdr7AmR5VZelAlKELPgIeMrl6-RskJHkp3E-6doFbaHVYaVGdQWi3LGF8R_-4KjaiDZ5einRIflLfj7OOCWpv3OCDgSuOQtl__xVOfRa1qHTDZbB7AXmGDb3z9zkxXDSj_/s1600/Maharaja,+Dudley,+Pejo,+Maharani,+Gyaltsen+Kazi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Jjd5o4oUXhHdr7AmR5VZelAlKELPgIeMrl6-RskJHkp3E-6doFbaHVYaVGdQWi3LGF8R_-4KjaiDZ5einRIflLfj7OOCWpv3OCDgSuOQtl__xVOfRa1qHTDZbB7AXmGDb3z9zkxXDSj_/s400/Maharaja,+Dudley,+Pejo,+Maharani,+Gyaltsen+Kazi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Frederick Williamson Prince Paljor Namgyal standing in front of C. E Dudley Pic: Digital Himalayas</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.75pt; line-height: 115%;">“<b><i>Maharajkumar jyudo hunuhunthyo bhaney ta
Sikkim aarkai hunthyo</i></b> had the Maharajkumar been alive Sikkim could have
been different” was their remark on the untimed demise of the late crown prince
Paljor Namgyal.</span></div>
</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-61751567629667061482012-01-17T16:39:00.000+05:302012-01-17T16:39:50.151+05:30Sikkim: Through the lens of Dr. Alice S Kandell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb6-CR2-dq5FQE1-O1JQ2dAd-DgchuQhTzPQjHW5BIs7hulBq9-cw-ssp0R47RJTIvVvh7zgXv7vz2C1H1d3Nlxb4igeOwKK32MztJ0hIb429W49Lu4Fd1P_E4ryNVVyh4JoT2uck_E-A/s1600/Boy+playing+with+kite%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb6-CR2-dq5FQE1-O1JQ2dAd-DgchuQhTzPQjHW5BIs7hulBq9-cw-ssp0R47RJTIvVvh7zgXv7vz2C1H1d3Nlxb4igeOwKK32MztJ0hIb429W49Lu4Fd1P_E4ryNVVyh4JoT2uck_E-A/s400/Boy+playing+with+kite%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy playing with Kite Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bSsF_X-UZTA68xQa0ynRr8k_NvZKsAXaWlCZLffDWMKyG3SLBz1Gtd9r-7otgwWgM3Hz9tZiKaHONpTIlFoXw7JIYz9YbWMQcq3fi_ju_EVVlDF2ZzMYQ2f-9yJ5-PyjZXNxsrr0ssFh/s1600/Alice+Kandell+hiding+behind+a+Sikkimese+soldier+to+take+a+photograph+of+a+Chinese+soldier+along+the+Nathu+La+pass%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bSsF_X-UZTA68xQa0ynRr8k_NvZKsAXaWlCZLffDWMKyG3SLBz1Gtd9r-7otgwWgM3Hz9tZiKaHONpTIlFoXw7JIYz9YbWMQcq3fi_ju_EVVlDF2ZzMYQ2f-9yJ5-PyjZXNxsrr0ssFh/s400/Alice+Kandell+hiding+behind+a+Sikkimese+soldier+to+take+a+photograph+of+a+Chinese+soldier+along+the+Nathu+La+pass%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Alice Kandell hiding behind a Sikkimese soldier to take a photograph of a Chinese soldier along the Nathu-La Pass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvUNAY35hc2r4IukmfSnd0F0GsX7i_agK85slHy3yijes7VqtgqmPPT2cframaGJ3de3dqPE1zz8eWfX8eHs2ue8Bh-AAnL4WYHT9sBSzgK3JEC1qsCIh06sy60ehnsEL5JthrMQ4rdDn/s1600/Khentse+Rinpoche+%255Bi.e.%252C+Jamyang+Khyentse%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvUNAY35hc2r4IukmfSnd0F0GsX7i_agK85slHy3yijes7VqtgqmPPT2cframaGJ3de3dqPE1zz8eWfX8eHs2ue8Bh-AAnL4WYHT9sBSzgK3JEC1qsCIh06sy60ehnsEL5JthrMQ4rdDn/s400/Khentse+Rinpoche+%255Bi.e.%252C+Jamyang+Khyentse%255D.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khyentse Rinponche Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL2hkz9oHxiZJ-oZ8K7DXqUn0qeWL3pANSTYp0GJ_bQCPWm7ZR-ZiZ-Q2ncy35lEkRMgSF7SJJcj2wj8sbq2C7Xv5wEztqyPgueRMWK85GvbUOXA1y4UmAjSg_VWvrW_W_1h7m4RWGsy3/s1600/Lepcha+man+and+woman+standing+near+Singhik%252C+Sikkim%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL2hkz9oHxiZJ-oZ8K7DXqUn0qeWL3pANSTYp0GJ_bQCPWm7ZR-ZiZ-Q2ncy35lEkRMgSF7SJJcj2wj8sbq2C7Xv5wEztqyPgueRMWK85GvbUOXA1y4UmAjSg_VWvrW_W_1h7m4RWGsy3/s400/Lepcha+man+and+woman+standing+near+Singhik%252C+Sikkim%255D.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lepcha Man and Woman standing near Singhik Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxb_sY-WGOb-KaBwMJMVROWr771igPzlYPGCWqHYntqbtxY71qBxUhe96RCmuCxqvUIbCKD4rf6sPQHPNLNVIABqNQ-PEJ5iS44Od_rVh5k3kyQtNNDlNQY4Il7G7__Pekymvr3cooMho/s1600/Lepcha+man+in+traditional+bamboo+hat+and+woven+clothing+holding+knife+in+Singhik%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxb_sY-WGOb-KaBwMJMVROWr771igPzlYPGCWqHYntqbtxY71qBxUhe96RCmuCxqvUIbCKD4rf6sPQHPNLNVIABqNQ-PEJ5iS44Od_rVh5k3kyQtNNDlNQY4Il7G7__Pekymvr3cooMho/s400/Lepcha+man+in+traditional+bamboo+hat+and+woven+clothing+holding+knife+in+Singhik%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lepcha man in traditional bamboo hat and woven clothing holding knife in Singhik Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4fnoHcloXkiRVwJacH5gi8TvQXnb-RUHM7IrM7u8QyaR8Qukt91kNQ8EntvFrOL-4Xzy__aE_GJQYPCshVamSeJU2dPljyJdJTSgFEk4xxkqNGzjSoSEEn8GGWGuejSrMcYaw8ABhJC4/s1600/Lepcha+women+in+traditional+clothing+in+Singhik%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4fnoHcloXkiRVwJacH5gi8TvQXnb-RUHM7IrM7u8QyaR8Qukt91kNQ8EntvFrOL-4Xzy__aE_GJQYPCshVamSeJU2dPljyJdJTSgFEk4xxkqNGzjSoSEEn8GGWGuejSrMcYaw8ABhJC4/s400/Lepcha+women+in+traditional+clothing+in+Singhik%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lepcha women in traditional clothing in Singhik Pic Dr.Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9cYATgnuh-mAADO9qq0KOUQy2xwwIfDrOeVTCZY7ZlqzTpY7nYRencuy9yIkT4ctKiz-Tsze3bWr3IERJYNBcqmIODdeerVJQAaiBNmMDnwl5L3-tjYVk6O2xIHCbh0NO7P_dHJgFh6Q/s1600/Mount+K%25C4%2581nchenjunga%252C+third+highest+mountain+in+the+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9cYATgnuh-mAADO9qq0KOUQy2xwwIfDrOeVTCZY7ZlqzTpY7nYRencuy9yIkT4ctKiz-Tsze3bWr3IERJYNBcqmIODdeerVJQAaiBNmMDnwl5L3-tjYVk6O2xIHCbh0NO7P_dHJgFh6Q/s400/Mount+K%25C4%2581nchenjunga%252C+third+highest+mountain+in+the+world.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Kanchenjunga, third highest mountain in the world Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxrdLXqj2pgAeS_-NYcfjkgiHBqliAdiRo3CTGK2gMJU8lFHU4IG1A59w3YfZ2ZpNGO-UawxG1swsGT2g_DDzmj8v40De17J2qxBSzYQQfEfq36c3UBw9d84u2BLVEU4Z13qzBGM4H4ce/s1600/Nepalese+family+outside+of+clay+home%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxrdLXqj2pgAeS_-NYcfjkgiHBqliAdiRo3CTGK2gMJU8lFHU4IG1A59w3YfZ2ZpNGO-UawxG1swsGT2g_DDzmj8v40De17J2qxBSzYQQfEfq36c3UBw9d84u2BLVEU4Z13qzBGM4H4ce/s400/Nepalese+family+outside+of+clay+home%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nepalese family outside of clay home Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVIhL-Y8E2TKe1roxMQNXCfnc174K97OFQuIolKSWSox3GLSVhaEOzONq9X_cJyOFw4LWqvNNsw7g-s1JGr0u9lgfILAQpy6se5DuSFPXZbn4joKZP6WOpaCR-_u8F6-MbnKezVTF13TR/s1600/People+herding+yaks+along+a+mountain+path+to+higher+grazing+land%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVIhL-Y8E2TKe1roxMQNXCfnc174K97OFQuIolKSWSox3GLSVhaEOzONq9X_cJyOFw4LWqvNNsw7g-s1JGr0u9lgfILAQpy6se5DuSFPXZbn4joKZP6WOpaCR-_u8F6-MbnKezVTF13TR/s400/People+herding+yaks+along+a+mountain+path+to+higher+grazing+land%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People herding yaks along a mountain path to higher grazing land Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pznuypHQymS_x0Q4oxM5O1K5Nhy2DAZmbeE3uueMbX9O8aHtTcqSuYT4CDWnWbYvthS8QphhDP0rzCEGONrEDCmH-PzDC3dxnnyR1ubaGM7F8HFrCNh0-b2DGI2MW5quRs9abiLZ5ceS/s1600/Person+crossing+river+on+wooden+bridge%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pznuypHQymS_x0Q4oxM5O1K5Nhy2DAZmbeE3uueMbX9O8aHtTcqSuYT4CDWnWbYvthS8QphhDP0rzCEGONrEDCmH-PzDC3dxnnyR1ubaGM7F8HFrCNh0-b2DGI2MW5quRs9abiLZ5ceS/s400/Person+crossing+river+on+wooden+bridge%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Person crossing river on a wooden bridge Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p1MkDRAvSzPz0F176Aer3x0psoSc99-SHpxWTsWT5b8LoRnS7pJ88-JFGYFiiUIGhK5u9Ig8bnQyEdM_0rEn51KROlAVvcZjDphbC9EkcO6_UsoPPxLghDoPLCbymxIZxFFyPKm6SbbM/s1600/Prince+Palden+%2528second+from+left%2529+making+silly+faces+with+friends%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3p1MkDRAvSzPz0F176Aer3x0psoSc99-SHpxWTsWT5b8LoRnS7pJ88-JFGYFiiUIGhK5u9Ig8bnQyEdM_0rEn51KROlAVvcZjDphbC9EkcO6_UsoPPxLghDoPLCbymxIZxFFyPKm6SbbM/s400/Prince+Palden+%2528second+from+left%2529+making+silly+faces+with+friends%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prince Palden (Second from Left) making silly faces with friends Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk9k5pmdeTA6WKAArc1BOJ2guDsLUTT3jslFwFsFbW1E5Rakps58zUfkQmszFgiEZ7P_wZEQjPFgZSkNytnkN_3DjVftDKhxarrga-zPG5xeSmcAcJOF5xnBIFon3gNrvrd1zgJWd0lf9/s1600/Rumtek+Monastery+seen+from+across+courtyard%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBk9k5pmdeTA6WKAArc1BOJ2guDsLUTT3jslFwFsFbW1E5Rakps58zUfkQmszFgiEZ7P_wZEQjPFgZSkNytnkN_3DjVftDKhxarrga-zPG5xeSmcAcJOF5xnBIFon3gNrvrd1zgJWd0lf9/s400/Rumtek+Monastery+seen+from+across+courtyard%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rumtek Monastery seen from across courtyard Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6825mYXkpdVMxVPQ5p5t8cTPD8wjsICKeuJcQu1ejLAzJOzIMqSzrQg3eTyiVOe3JHddMRTdz0hrjHcubIM_LUas8OO3llvUlbcSeWKZ9WC1AY5h-VK2rM0MrAgBsGtf1E3jf0HJW542/s1600/Selling+rice+in+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6825mYXkpdVMxVPQ5p5t8cTPD8wjsICKeuJcQu1ejLAzJOzIMqSzrQg3eTyiVOe3JHddMRTdz0hrjHcubIM_LUas8OO3llvUlbcSeWKZ9WC1AY5h-VK2rM0MrAgBsGtf1E3jf0HJW542/s400/Selling+rice+in+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim+market.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selling Rice in Gangtok Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcSMmFytEeO7i4fm8XPER4XUjG8DOOaYxP1yUR-kX6viaNTssvMns0mnOxqA_v-1OP9g9QluNzDgIFsnz1E3KsyRhxGiAq-1jRAbYWnh0FVVNDNdTzOHJS5pOUdxnYiDduFrzZlWvVyde/s1600/Shinglay+Lama+and+grandchildren+sit+in+haystack+near+Singhik%252CSikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcSMmFytEeO7i4fm8XPER4XUjG8DOOaYxP1yUR-kX6viaNTssvMns0mnOxqA_v-1OP9g9QluNzDgIFsnz1E3KsyRhxGiAq-1jRAbYWnh0FVVNDNdTzOHJS5pOUdxnYiDduFrzZlWvVyde/s400/Shinglay+Lama+and+grandchildren+sit+in+haystack+near+Singhik%252CSikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singlay Lama & grandchildren sit in haystack near Singhik Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtuq4yizH33i170E7xl3Vkrwq53WbsPpN1YBU4JW_6RL6JG38vRTkrnbCV7YkQ4PkQz0hzGRpdflcpmINXcw87FG3MttZ3g10-HMvGqeSZsKiSVizdHVkdx-d2yiYfSHURoAaEWIzfe1P/s1600/Suspension+bridge+over+river%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtuq4yizH33i170E7xl3Vkrwq53WbsPpN1YBU4JW_6RL6JG38vRTkrnbCV7YkQ4PkQz0hzGRpdflcpmINXcw87FG3MttZ3g10-HMvGqeSZsKiSVizdHVkdx-d2yiYfSHURoAaEWIzfe1P/s400/Suspension+bridge+over+river%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suspension Bridge over River Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqYEC74XZJcSskPI_irUCM7xD1njTrH10CDcmzbxSSyD0wYn5sUP-pfzp0MBsaUH66YV24Ibej9ylNBbuYbjvhJYqF0KLxYa0L2ZM54NCjkOStmkfogC821shmtudPRM7MI3F2Omu-AIu/s1600/Two+men+secure+wood+logs+on+yak%2527s+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqYEC74XZJcSskPI_irUCM7xD1njTrH10CDcmzbxSSyD0wYn5sUP-pfzp0MBsaUH66YV24Ibej9ylNBbuYbjvhJYqF0KLxYa0L2ZM54NCjkOStmkfogC821shmtudPRM7MI3F2Omu-AIu/s400/Two+men+secure+wood+logs+on+yak%2527s+back.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Men secure wood logs on Yak's back Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dr. Alice S. Kandell, of New York City, New York, is a child
psychologist formerly affiliated with Mt. Sinai Hospital. Additionally, Dr.
Kandell is an author and professional photographer, having published books on
subjects ranging from Mountaintop Kingdom: Sikkim to children's books such as
Max the Music Maker and Ben's ABC Day. Dr. Kandell is also Vice President of
the Board of the International League for Human Rights and President of the
International Vocal Arts Institute, whose faculty is affiliated with the
Metropolitan Opera. She also performs in non-singing roles with the
Metropolitan Opera in New York. She received her Doctorate in Child Psychology
from Harvard University.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 9.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Alice S. Kandell first visited Sikkim
in 1965 to attend the coronation ceremony where Hope Cooke, a close friend from
Sarah Lawrence College, became the first American-born queen. The Chogyal
(king) Palden Thondup Namgyal asked Dr. Kandell to use photography to document
the indigenous cultures of Sikkim and to show how he and Hope were improving
education and local businesses. With this special access, Dr. Kandell created a
visual encyclopedia of Sikkimese life as it was before India absorbed the kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 9.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Kandell returned to Sikkim many times,
while also completing her doctorate degree in child psychology at Harvard
University and establishing her career in New York City. Growing political
struggles between India and Sikkim brought the photography project to a close
in the early 1970s. During a final trip in 1979, she photographed the wedding
of Princess Yangchen Dolma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 9.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Her collection grew to more than 15,000
color slides and black-and-white photographs taken while traveling extensively
through a country the size of Delaware. Dr. Kandell went high in the mountains
to meet farmers and traders who allowed her to photograph their families and
homes. She attended Buddhist religious ceremonies, captivated by the music,
masks, and dances. She captured formal and informal scenes with the royal
family in Gangtok as well as artisans with their crafts, children in schools,
and the remarkable landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 9.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two books published in 1971 feature these
photographs-- <i>Mountaintop Kingdom: Sikkim</i> (with text by
Charlotte Salisbury) and a book for children called <i>Sikkim: The Hidden
Kingdom</i>. Dr. Kandell also wrote and illustrated articles about Sikkim for<i>Redbook</i>, <i>Holiday</i>, <i>Scholastic</i>,
and <i>The Saturday Evening Post</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 9.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">During an exhibit of Sikkim photographs at
the Camera Club of New York in 1971, Dr. Kandell said, "I tried to use my
camera to communicate the warmth and openness of the people of Sikkim. I wanted
to capture the beauty that is everywhere." A second exhibition was held at
the Asia Society in New York, sponsored by the International Center of
Photography, in 1975.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 9.75pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Inspired by her experience in Sikkim, Dr.
Kandell went on to assemble a major collection of Budhhist art and religious
objects. This Tibetan shrine with original paintings, sculpture, and furniture
is now at the Smithsonian Institution. She also retained her connections to the
Sikkimese people. In 2010, Hope Cooke joined Dr. Kandell at the Library of
Congress to describe their work in Sikkim. The webcast from this program, <a href="http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4912"><span style="color: #003366;">"A Tour of the Lost Kingdom: Sikkim,"</span></a> can
be viewed online.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Note:
The details about Dr. Alice S Kandell are collected from ‘Biography of the
Photographer’ that is available on the website of Library of Congress </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.loc.gov/">http://www.loc.gov</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Ranipool, Sikkim, India27.2914168 88.591553727.2773058 88.571812700000009 27.3055278 88.6112947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-85212461612129513772012-01-17T14:59:00.000+05:302012-01-17T14:59:23.208+05:30Maghe Sankranti: Sikkimese Festival of Joy and Happiness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdvFmyeocCS41cWRW6RRCWhXj2N-BemMgSNhZvz-58xLdWO4vUvdZUYjTIMg2iYJ-f0UCZyVFBcMAnCJdTjfQCZlEKu2b-yXF7ue0x95IsCgYoIukZ7p7BYxAqtqyMoL617cAk6pFcp5h/s1600/IMG_1857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdvFmyeocCS41cWRW6RRCWhXj2N-BemMgSNhZvz-58xLdWO4vUvdZUYjTIMg2iYJ-f0UCZyVFBcMAnCJdTjfQCZlEKu2b-yXF7ue0x95IsCgYoIukZ7p7BYxAqtqyMoL617cAk6pFcp5h/s400/IMG_1857.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">A scene of Maghey Mela at Ranipool </span></td></tr>
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<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Maghe
Sankranti</i></b> is the commencement of the
holy month of <b><i>Maugh</i></b>, which usually falls in the mid of January. It brings an
end to the inauspicious month of <b><i>Poush</i></b> (mid-december) when all
religious ceremonies are forbidden. On this day, the sun leaves its southernmost position and takes off for
its northward journey, so <b><i>Maghe
Sankranti</i></b> is similar to solstice festivals in many other traditions. While, the day of Sankranti is considered as the coldest
day of the year, it blots the upcoming warmer weather. Though, it is rejoiced
by the Hindu Nepalese in Sikkim, the festival is greatly observed by all the
ethnic communities. This day is said to be the propitious day for holy bathing in
spite of the chilled weather conditions. This ritual usually takes place at the
union of sacred rivers and streams known as <b><i>Triveni</i></b>. Sikkimese people
usually visit <b><i>Triveni </i></b>of Teesta and Rangit, the two holy rivers of the state
near Melli to take holy bath and to pray for a better year filled with peace
and prosperity. After a holy dip on the river, the devotees put <b><i>Tika</i></b>
of <b><i>Ban
Tarul</i></b> (Dioscorea Hamiltonii) on their foreheads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In
addition to holy bathing and worship of shrines, certain auspicious foods like
till <b><i>laddoos</i></b>
(seasame seeds ball cakes), <b><i>chaku</i></b>(molasys), <b><i>gheu</i></b> (clarified butter),
sweet potatoes, <b><i>khichari </i></b>(mixture of rice and lentils) and <b><i>Simal Tarul</i></b> (Tapioca) are
taken on this day. Edibles like sweet potatoes, ban tarul and tapioca are
regarded as <b><i>Kandamuls</i></b> (things that are grown under soil) by the Nepalese of
Sikkim and other Indian States. The day is also regarded as the New Years Day
among the Limboo community of Sikkim.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8_kMSJmsR1Y1jJL-HMGGq9eywAsrvyBTdNA3dZnlTbmyzNzdDQL-STIhbvMZedpSMyVoEO8NYrLDf0y9tn4ijT4nI-7Wbwy-hqY72s03GrM9Jc8XkzMBZkg08NwSmFw6oitqaILP7M3I/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8_kMSJmsR1Y1jJL-HMGGq9eywAsrvyBTdNA3dZnlTbmyzNzdDQL-STIhbvMZedpSMyVoEO8NYrLDf0y9tn4ijT4nI-7Wbwy-hqY72s03GrM9Jc8XkzMBZkg08NwSmFw6oitqaILP7M3I/s400/IMG_1860.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rotey Ping; The major attraction of Maghey Mela at Ranipool </span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Historical Importance of Maghe Sankranti in Sikkim:</span>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">The
study of <b><i>Sawai</i></b> and <b><i>Khado</i></b> (the writings of some
contemporary writers) and the History of the Gorkhas reveals the fact that </span><span lang="EN-GB">i</span><span lang="EN-GB">n 1788-89, the Gorkha General Jahar Singh
crossed the Chiabhanjyang pass, taking the </span><span lang="EN-GB">Sikkimese forces</span><span lang="EN-GB"> by complete surprise and made a lightening
raid on Rhabdentse. </span><span lang="EN-GB">“</span><span lang="EN-GB">The capital was caught napping and the most
disorganized abandonment of any capital imaginable took place</span><span lang="EN-GB">”</span><span lang="EN-GB">. The Gorkhas under Purna Alley captured
Southern Sikkim through Elam. Another Gorkha force, more numerous and powerful
than the former ones under Damodar Pandey, subsequently re-inforced the
Gorkhas, they spread themselves all over the country, prying into every crick
and corner of Sikkim, they sent out parties to pry and prowl about all the
valleys of the river Teesta and its tributaries.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> A fierce battle took place
between the Sikkimese forces and the Gorkhas that ultimately led to the victory
of the latter. Hence, after ensuring their sway over the Western and Southern
parts of Sikkim, the victorious Gorkha soldiers celebrated their triumph at the
confluences of River Teesta and Rangit. They washed their blood stained <b><i>Khukris</i></b>
on the river and had taken a rinse in the river, they sang, danced and took all
wild foods like <b><i>ban tarul</i></b>, sweet potatoes etc. on the day of <b><i>Maghe
Sankranti</i></b>. Therefore, it is said that to commemorate their victories
over Sikkim and other Himalayan States of Kangra, Kumaun, Garwhal and so on the
Indian Gorkhas celebrate the day of Maghe Sankranti every year. But, the
Nepalese version of the celebration is silent about the victories made by the
Gorkha forces in the Indian States. Hence, it is not clear to ascertain that it
is celebrated by the Indian Gorkhas to commemorate their victories over the
Himalayan Sates including Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU_uzf8rf4blxvVk6zyxD901trGbaq9_staHLM0eEDqNOET3RRVrk5Ot874i_HAMmaMQNmn677p-fzqylJJmPI2L3sSEyDrl2RvkxoI0EyCvhr1gAxfGFCrm-uE08kQwepjgnX6R6e3IG/s1600/IMG_1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU_uzf8rf4blxvVk6zyxD901trGbaq9_staHLM0eEDqNOET3RRVrk5Ot874i_HAMmaMQNmn677p-fzqylJJmPI2L3sSEyDrl2RvkxoI0EyCvhr1gAxfGFCrm-uE08kQwepjgnX6R6e3IG/s400/IMG_1853.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">People busy in buying materials during feast</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">One can
witness people enjoying swings, dance and many other games like dice, ghurni
etc at the feast organized by various organizations throughout Sikkim. These feasts
are locally known as <b><i>Maghe Mela</i></b>. Every rural Sikkimese is
an aficionado of such Maghe Mela to visit and to have fun. The important of
such feasts can be seen at Jorethang, Saramsa, Rorathang, Singtam and even at
Triveni at the Bengal side. Apart from the historical controversies, <b><i>Maghe
Sankranti</i></b> has now become a festival of unity and brotherhood in the
state of Sikkim. People of diverse ethnicity can be seen enjoying swings and
Tambola in the various feasts throughout the State. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Ranipool, Sikkim, India27.2914168 88.591553727.2773058 88.571812700000009 27.3055278 88.6112947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-84746700732736092272012-01-08T18:41:00.002+05:302012-01-08T18:41:53.100+05:30Sikkim Coronation: From the Collection of Dr. Alice S. Kandell’s Photographs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatr3fKfCuPm1acOyLE69O5o-vK-f5uIYNvkvCAkez_UvA0jvEfPkI6DysPMgHL3x6ThQT6lga7BlTmqnc9AIiTKT49wBuc1sn5R-JnVQxQNi0VAKtUsBn3R5p_ecDHUpoPCx_TpCD6VjI/s1600/Portrait+of+photographer+Alice+Kandell%252C+standing%252C+half-length%252C+with+camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatr3fKfCuPm1acOyLE69O5o-vK-f5uIYNvkvCAkez_UvA0jvEfPkI6DysPMgHL3x6ThQT6lga7BlTmqnc9AIiTKT49wBuc1sn5R-JnVQxQNi0VAKtUsBn3R5p_ecDHUpoPCx_TpCD6VjI/s400/Portrait+of+photographer+Alice+Kandell%252C+standing%252C+half-length%252C+with+camera.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture of Dr. Alice S. Kandell </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8bWCPKXUbgb5JgWuQKpm1Dmjq5twvdc31c1l3AkXFqpELf_j7sRjKn26Dy86aFx7Impm_GU7vOOTGdLeuZiWYvej5LcCL85-4ygL1BJiWxdxst3XxfJ0kXzVFaNbFcEVG0pEcTKs7_7u/s1600/Coronation+1965%252C+the+King+%2526+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8bWCPKXUbgb5JgWuQKpm1Dmjq5twvdc31c1l3AkXFqpELf_j7sRjKn26Dy86aFx7Impm_GU7vOOTGdLeuZiWYvej5LcCL85-4ygL1BJiWxdxst3XxfJ0kXzVFaNbFcEVG0pEcTKs7_7u/s400/Coronation+1965%252C+the+King+%2526+Queen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sikkim Coronation 1965- The King and the Queen Pic: Dr Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JMbJRitt5qdX08Dh21fTySyuc3rPPo_4gERkGg0_bbK2yw7-Cv1OFwqgUGhkDPmXWfIzm5b2q8uIvP8pOhbdPwThzXDQBRzR2or5-D5IVcAlx4xv1G19ydzhzMffEw-IXy9vfd6D6Cj4/s1600/Guests+at+the+coronation+of+King+Palden+Thondup+Namgyal%252C+including+Alice+Kandell%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JMbJRitt5qdX08Dh21fTySyuc3rPPo_4gERkGg0_bbK2yw7-Cv1OFwqgUGhkDPmXWfIzm5b2q8uIvP8pOhbdPwThzXDQBRzR2or5-D5IVcAlx4xv1G19ydzhzMffEw-IXy9vfd6D6Cj4/s400/Guests+at+the+coronation+of+King+Palden+Thondup+Namgyal%252C+including+Alice+Kandell%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest at Sikkim Coronation- Photographer Dr. Kandell on the queue to put Khada to the King </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h9ZKTSvMSOfnmEQ1dpLMti1jHAgMqHRQhoBx_4Uhsvn9IFWEL0Zc_ZwXQ1lVpTErjtWmJrvuLQnvftnNcRuaDJDRptmeLnSr8my6DCqRVHjnvgpwTKcBFWImG8wBXEyOtSmV4pVp_FMZ/s1600/King+and+Queen+getting+ready+to+fly+Bhutan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h9ZKTSvMSOfnmEQ1dpLMti1jHAgMqHRQhoBx_4Uhsvn9IFWEL0Zc_ZwXQ1lVpTErjtWmJrvuLQnvftnNcRuaDJDRptmeLnSr8my6DCqRVHjnvgpwTKcBFWImG8wBXEyOtSmV4pVp_FMZ/s400/King+and+Queen+getting+ready+to+fly+Bhutan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King and Queen getting ready to fly Bhutan Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPszWANfK3b_p_WJbvDhycCmAhbelFg5PLWqvqe4yHhfomziYxKA2yN9wpmmm4NqdPxUVwRrDlFA48ScIoupw-C5wzSPCtXo3IQajpXMxE7BPB0Sa2GjN1Vz1MlJVEEELezkXtWkqE9n5f/s1600/King+New+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPszWANfK3b_p_WJbvDhycCmAhbelFg5PLWqvqe4yHhfomziYxKA2yN9wpmmm4NqdPxUVwRrDlFA48ScIoupw-C5wzSPCtXo3IQajpXMxE7BPB0Sa2GjN1Vz1MlJVEEELezkXtWkqE9n5f/s400/King+New+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King and Queen on the Royal Throne Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi610WSMztgVUCR4NRcrhzWs8_UVSp7sMx6JnGrXHXMVD-bp3I-XuYdlFi6UYDu6iPu85b3d1AFTs3sZ6BXGLCXPW3HUamAuhX4mDAKsGBY27Bk85zkUXoaOBMzoM0unBNdSc-scFTINcRa/s1600/king+new+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi610WSMztgVUCR4NRcrhzWs8_UVSp7sMx6JnGrXHXMVD-bp3I-XuYdlFi6UYDu6iPu85b3d1AFTs3sZ6BXGLCXPW3HUamAuhX4mDAKsGBY27Bk85zkUXoaOBMzoM0unBNdSc-scFTINcRa/s400/king+new+2.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King and Queen during Coronation Pic: Dr. Alice S. Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_do4W7CvJRp85ZgL478FHhL7EiA1nuWTwPox5LNwADLebRIqNXwOf-WkjuZlYfRfAEb8LYeM7W3vMUKVHypcDwf5tsr-DjFkSmbKiDmX07GE69RooZuO5IYcAxyDTMqdgOkFot_xD_uAu/s1600/King+New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_do4W7CvJRp85ZgL478FHhL7EiA1nuWTwPox5LNwADLebRIqNXwOf-WkjuZlYfRfAEb8LYeM7W3vMUKVHypcDwf5tsr-DjFkSmbKiDmX07GE69RooZuO5IYcAxyDTMqdgOkFot_xD_uAu/s400/King+New.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chogyal receiving salute from Sikkim Guards Pic: Dr. Alice S. Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDxjAmXkI5wczv1d6UXJ1jI3spTw1tehaqyxlDeDt9f0VSyIp1YEQt01p93HBXbtzN4MUDTOkBQw25iyGi9ZZuvmxbAgK3TbyzNpJwtCDkN6WgDPc7A_-udKW7X95ItPLXo0mugRX9WAx/s1600/King+Palden+Thondup+Namgyal+and+Queen+Hope+Cooke+of+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDxjAmXkI5wczv1d6UXJ1jI3spTw1tehaqyxlDeDt9f0VSyIp1YEQt01p93HBXbtzN4MUDTOkBQw25iyGi9ZZuvmxbAgK3TbyzNpJwtCDkN6WgDPc7A_-udKW7X95ItPLXo0mugRX9WAx/s400/King+Palden+Thondup+Namgyal+and+Queen+Hope+Cooke+of+Sikkim.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and Gyalmo Hope Cooke of Sikkim Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEVtlHAiJsvD3MgenNUQCNRghHiikSbY3Jjim34EoaoZA9O677kEMgIQdLXDOXc-yi2zmyipnAKbayn0B0LKUXkdLAPsCeDxkUCgpnM7zSwtioHJklp_CNYN60QtnmrvxninS0tHT4BYb/s1600/Market%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEVtlHAiJsvD3MgenNUQCNRghHiikSbY3Jjim34EoaoZA9O677kEMgIQdLXDOXc-yi2zmyipnAKbayn0B0LKUXkdLAPsCeDxkUCgpnM7zSwtioHJklp_CNYN60QtnmrvxninS0tHT4BYb/s400/Market%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marketplace of Gangtok in 1965 Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI3LxVpyS7pA2z0oTvaY3BTnL1eVZxJMytTEwRpjYeAKHhIMxeorFflDVFhlsUVG5qQFdr1P0msjaDPsfLqoPqLkd7F1DZn7UvUdbC4SoLZNBpLWrTZr6Qgdun8mYI9QaM4JM7JrR1kaY/s1600/Nepalese+band+playing+curved+horns+at+coronation+of+the+King+of+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI3LxVpyS7pA2z0oTvaY3BTnL1eVZxJMytTEwRpjYeAKHhIMxeorFflDVFhlsUVG5qQFdr1P0msjaDPsfLqoPqLkd7F1DZn7UvUdbC4SoLZNBpLWrTZr6Qgdun8mYI9QaM4JM7JrR1kaY/s400/Nepalese+band+playing+curved+horns+at+coronation+of+the+King+of+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nepali Naumati Baja on the day of Chogyal's Coronation Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqsMaU7Nws8RueiHfQbzKYL0AeLV0R8fCxMMeY6Qq8QWns_mmYCpq9qhCdZR5mZl7S49Z1cXGIoUNNuB6eHqNX_NyjpKI-L06LOxtHpNPMsmw3mJ3f05nVEQj9G4UOQjZcj7YOQftD3l8/s1600/Nepali+girls%252C+coronation+time.+Tse+Ten+Tashi+studio%252C+photo+in+window%252C+Hope%2527s+husb%255Band%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqsMaU7Nws8RueiHfQbzKYL0AeLV0R8fCxMMeY6Qq8QWns_mmYCpq9qhCdZR5mZl7S49Z1cXGIoUNNuB6eHqNX_NyjpKI-L06LOxtHpNPMsmw3mJ3f05nVEQj9G4UOQjZcj7YOQftD3l8/s400/Nepali+girls%252C+coronation+time.+Tse+Ten+Tashi+studio%252C+photo+in+window%252C+Hope%2527s+husb%255Band%255D.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nepali Girls on the Coronation Day Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpJaMflkvfPZA3htFAV_9QGOD3iBQkLlWt1h1A9P1_TQqFLMNWnT-4sur4Y3LRcNa6NUSlIbtgdN1XjBZ35gyh403v2inxz9dFvrB3nvzJ44HFBIjOrUoI-PAmJM3a0yxBSOVZg3Ej7MR/s1600/Princess%252C+sister+of+the+King+of+Sikkim%252C+standing+on+right%252C+in+traditional+royal+dress%252C+during+coronation+of+King%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim+king+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpJaMflkvfPZA3htFAV_9QGOD3iBQkLlWt1h1A9P1_TQqFLMNWnT-4sur4Y3LRcNa6NUSlIbtgdN1XjBZ35gyh403v2inxz9dFvrB3nvzJ44HFBIjOrUoI-PAmJM3a0yxBSOVZg3Ej7MR/s400/Princess%252C+sister+of+the+King+of+Sikkim%252C+standing+on+right%252C+in+traditional+royal+dress%252C+during+coronation+of+King%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim+king+3.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Princess of Sikkim Standing on Right Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JJBHyE46YfQUqwj7ScbyfyWlIdsp7AKYGq7g03zJTzwdwrxEJ2SNZOdYcw0KplNZpvP6uuoUC_kcxZB_Th9kxlXqCjr5VCJXCXZj9qaUNf1m6SV3x0PwfVF6FyYqJ-5Vzw-O8BmbWkPU/s1600/Royal+procession+for+Chogyal%2527s+birthday%252C+Royal+Palace%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JJBHyE46YfQUqwj7ScbyfyWlIdsp7AKYGq7g03zJTzwdwrxEJ2SNZOdYcw0KplNZpvP6uuoUC_kcxZB_Th9kxlXqCjr5VCJXCXZj9qaUNf1m6SV3x0PwfVF6FyYqJ-5Vzw-O8BmbWkPU/s400/Royal+procession+for+Chogyal%2527s+birthday%252C+Royal+Palace%252C+Gangtok%252C+Sikkim.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Procession on Chogyal's Birthday Pic Dr. Alice S Kandell</td></tr>
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The photographs taken by Dr. Alice S. Kandell in Sikkim used to be rare until she dedicated her rights to the public domain as a generous gift to the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division in 2010. It is from this website we also have been able to get the erstwhile glimpse of Sikkim. Dr. Kandell captured these flamboyant pictures in order to document a vanishing culture of the Sikkimese society. During her visits between 1965 and 1979 (primarily 1965-1971), Dr. Kandell received special permission to photograph Buddhist monks and lamas, ceremonial dances, and monasteries; people working on farms, in canning factories, and at special crafts; and the royal palace and chapel at Gangtok, including the last king, Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, his American wife Queen Hope Cooke (Dr. Kandell's college friend), and their family.</div>
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Apart from the Royal pictures Dr. Kandell has also taken various pictures of far off villages like Singhik and Lachung, the mountains of Kānchenjunga, the Ralang Hot Springs, and the Gangtok bazaar as well as different ethnic groups including the Kirati (Kiranti), Lepcha, Nepalese, and Bhutia people.</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Other
photographs taken by Dr. Kandell are available at <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?st=grid&co=kskm"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?st=grid&co=kskm</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-40459933148239675792012-01-07T10:44:00.000+05:302012-01-07T17:56:20.601+05:30Kumar Sporting Club: The Pioneering Football Club of Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaK0pjcjHD1VTAP6LYmqERx8GMBuHUhH_TYdlL-AbOdB10seSp_n8oS-LFh6vxI1xuOsiqwfgqPAbSSQrl94eYRgOZJLI-3zEDTXXho_RPXrrKu4tQUNkB_Sh-kZDydk4FmtmgewozUPL/s1600/SIKKIM+FOOTBALL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaK0pjcjHD1VTAP6LYmqERx8GMBuHUhH_TYdlL-AbOdB10seSp_n8oS-LFh6vxI1xuOsiqwfgqPAbSSQrl94eYRgOZJLI-3zEDTXXho_RPXrrKu4tQUNkB_Sh-kZDydk4FmtmgewozUPL/s320/SIKKIM+FOOTBALL.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Though
Cricket is looked open as a gentlemen’s game and is being adored by almost all
of the Indians, football has its own tang and recognition among the people
of the Himalayan States. The Himalayan states, particularly the North Eastern
States of India have been able to provide the greatest football players for the
Country. Among them Sikkim has always enjoyed a top position. There is no doubt
to ascertain that football flourished into Sikkim with its contact with the
British. Possibly, the <b><i>Colonial Sahibs</i></b> used to play
football during leisure from where the Sikkimese privileged also imitated. Thus,
football attained its popularity among the Sikkimese masses which has now
become an inseparable part of the Sikkimese society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
do not have much information about the prevalence of Football Clubs in the
initial decades of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century. Much later in the 40’s, few football
enthusiasts from Gangtok founded its first ever football club. This very
football club was thence known as Kumar Sporting Club. It was established in
the name of Crown Prince Late Paljor Namgyal, who <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #faf5f1; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">was
in the Indian air force with the British and died in a plane crash in December
1941</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #faf5f1; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #faf5f1; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">during Second World War in Burma</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #faf5f1; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It has to be
mentioned here that the Crown Prince was affectionately nicknamed as Kumar
Sahib, a shaded adaptation of the word <b><i>Maharajkumar Sahib</i></b>. Hence, the first
football club of Sikkim got its name as Kumar Sporting Club. The Kumar Sporting
Club won the first cup outside Sikkim in 1948. The Paljor Stadium of Gangtok is
named after the late Crown Prince Paljor Namgyal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpqVfPCZ6p5PlSa-TGKRFdUn6PQcWdLYYYoq-Q0eQNoPYpxeYpgFskewEFzpVVUKZWy3ZSe3v_AYbBl8lwyD9S2xHlvFFE0Qmz2tdZXJvMKFIszLSRkBI9k3_7ItlDC3q76dTeUL35iSK/s1600/388880_10151040991275527_564235526_22163641_521297085_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpqVfPCZ6p5PlSa-TGKRFdUn6PQcWdLYYYoq-Q0eQNoPYpxeYpgFskewEFzpVVUKZWy3ZSe3v_AYbBl8lwyD9S2xHlvFFE0Qmz2tdZXJvMKFIszLSRkBI9k3_7ItlDC3q76dTeUL35iSK/s400/388880_10151040991275527_564235526_22163641_521297085_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Football is always a favorite to the Sikkimese- Prince Tenzing Namgyal </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Kumar Sporting Club was followed by Gangtok Football and Sporting Association.
After 1973, the Gangtok Football and Sporting Association was given affiliation
by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). In a national tournament the
Gangtok Football and Sporting Association lost its match against Goa by 10
goals which became the crossroads in the history of football in Sikkim. After this
humiliating defeat, the Gangtok Football and Sporting Association was renamed
as Sikkim Football Association (SFA) in 1976. With the foundation of Sikkim
Football Association, Sikkim gave some of its best players to the country like
Samdrup Norden, Pem Dorjee (the first Sikkimese to lead the Indian Football
team as a Captain) Kul Bahadur Chettri and many other youngsters like Mr Ong Tshering Lepcha (Former Captain India Under 21 Team) Nirmal Chettri (East Bengal and Defender Team India) Sanju Pradhan (East Bengal Midfielder) and many others </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">who have
played professionally for various Football Clubs all over the Country. Nevertheless,
the biggest contributions to Indian Football from Sikkim have been the annual
Governor’s Gold Cup, annual Chief Minister’s Gold Cup and </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Padmashree</i></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Bhaichung
Bhutia (former Captain of Indian Football Team) now the founder and owner of
United Sikkim Football Club.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
journey of Sikkim’s Football enthusiasm which had its start with the small
Kumar Sporting Club has now become an immense SFA with its pride Pem Dorji,
Samdrup Norden, Bhaichung Bhutia, Kul Bahadur Chettri and many others who are
struggling to get their place in the Indian Football Team. The credit of producing
these football heroes of Sikkim always goes to the Kumar Sporting Club, the
pioneering Football club of Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Ranipool, Sikkim, India27.2914168 88.591553727.2773058 88.571812700000009 27.3055278 88.6112947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-58467248364080646432012-01-05T11:27:00.004+05:302012-01-05T14:46:53.955+05:30Sikkim Almanac: A Monarchical Souvenir to the State of Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHmRMU7AITc/TwU4XS8_--I/AAAAAAAAAsM/Lw3EIBfGoko/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHmRMU7AITc/TwU4XS8_--I/AAAAAAAAAsM/Lw3EIBfGoko/s400/IMG_1850.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sikkim Almanac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Every
Sikkimese has seen Sikkim Almanac hanging on the walls of every Official building
or in every house to get an idea about the official government sanctioned
holidays for a particular year. But, we have never paid any attention to
understand its link with the past of Sikkim. The Sikkim Almanac nowadays is
merely serving as an everyday planner of the Sikkimese people. But, distant
from being the official holiday marker the Sikkim Almanac has its profound bond
with the history of the erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Royal Government of Sikkim began to issue its Almanac, which lists the official
government sanctioned holidays for each year, in the mid 50’s of the last
century. The noble task was undertaken during the glorious reign of Maharaja
Sir Tashi Namgyal. The sole purpose of issuing such Government Calendar was to inform
the subjects of the Maharaja about the Government sanctioned holidays in the
kingdom of Sikkim, so that they could avoid themselves from reaching the
Capital during holidays for their Official works. The Government sanctioned
holidays in the calendar were highlighted with red colour which was easier
for every individual to get an idea of the existing holiday in a particular
month. The very same layout of Almanac is still prevalent in the Sikkim Almanac
issued by the Government of Sikkim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Sikkim Almanac has some distinctive features as well. In conjunction with the
dates of Gregorian calendar in English are the dates of Tibetan Lunar Calendar
in Tibetan scripts. Presently, the heading carries emblem of Sikkim Government
but, during independent Sikkim it used to have a portrait of the reigning king
of the Kingdom. The fifties (1950’s) version of the Sikkim Almanac carried
pictures of Maharaja Sir Tashi Namgyal in full Royal ceremonial dress, while
the pictures of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal were more casuals. The placing
of the King’s pictures on Sikkim Almanac was stopped after Sikkim’s integration
with the Indian Union. Apart from English and Tibetan languages the title of
the Almanac is also written in other Sikkimese languages like Lepcha, Nepali
and Limbu which is in vogue since its first issue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Either
side of the Almanac is bordered by the Eight Lucky Signs known as Tashi Tagey
(Tak Gye) in Tibetan. These auspicious signs are symbolic with the life and
teachings of the enlightened <b><i>Tathagatha</i></b>. After Sikkim’s
integration with India, the Sikkim Almanac is printed and distributed by Home
Department, Government of Sikkim every year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Ranipool, Sikkim, India27.2914168 88.591553727.2773058 88.571812700000009 27.3055278 88.6112947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-88067516925346432012012-01-04T08:40:00.000+05:302012-01-04T09:42:10.478+05:30A Handwritten Sikkim Herald- The oldest Surviving Newspaper of Sikkim<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
publication of Sikkim Herald was started in 1956 during the reign of Maharaja
Sir Tashi Namgyal to inform his subjects about the developments brought about
by the Government. The initial format of Sikkim Herald was a magazine and it
used to get publish every months. Prior to 1962, the Sikkim Herald Magazine was
brought out in English only and later sometime in 1962, editions were brought
out in Bhutia and Nepali languages as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEvZ_WI_E6I/TwPOmIB7qsI/AAAAAAAAAsA/5Cm5RGEtEXU/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XEvZ_WI_E6I/TwPOmIB7qsI/AAAAAAAAAsA/5Cm5RGEtEXU/s640/IMG_0626.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Handwritten Sikkim Herald in Nepali preserved at Ramgauri Sangrahalaya </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
picture with today’s post is also of this oldest newspaper of Sikkim in Nepali
Language. The remarkable attribute of this publication of 1967 (6<sup>th</sup>
Year Issue 21) is that it is a handwritten newspaper which was published on Thursday
16<sup>th</sup> February 1967. It is possibly a first of its kind in the
history of journalism in Sikkim. The Top Headline of this issue deals with the suspension
of the Sikkim Executive Council in the said year. It states “<i>As per the Government Report published by
the Chief Secretary Government of Sikkim Mr. T.S Gyaltsen, the Maharaja has unleashed
the Councillors from their posts on 15<sup>th</sup> of February 1967 as they
were busy in campaigning for the forthcoming election. Henceforth, the subjects
are informed that their applications related to various concerns are to be sent
to the concerned Head of the Departments for necessary action</i>”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Second Headline of the Newspaper deals with the resistance techniques to be
adopted to protect an individual from “Mai” influenza. The Herald has informed
about the suspension of classes from all the schools for 15 days surrounding Gangtok
to prevent from its further transmission. Further, this handwritten issue of
Sikkim Herald has also informed the public about the date and venue as well as
necessary requirements to sit for the written examination of a stipend for the year
1966-67, granted to the Sikkimese Students by the Government of India.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Last News is an obituary on the demise of Mukhtiyar Palden Dorjee. The Sikkim
Herald is now a daily publication brought out by the Information and Public
Relations Department (IPR), Government of Sikkim, containing news and
information on the developments and the programmes of the Government as well as
notices regarding tenders and other important government notifications. One can
find Sikkim herald in all the major languages spoken in Sikkim like Bhutia,
Lepcha, Nepali, English and Limboo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
only piece of this Handwritten Sikkim Herald is preserved by Shree Ganesh
Pradhan of Ramgauri Museum Rhenock East Sikkim. I am greatly indebted to him
for sharing this priceless document with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com4Ranipool, Sikkim, India27.2914168 88.591553727.2773058 88.571812700000009 27.3055278 88.6112947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-14574994953567877342011-12-31T16:22:00.000+05:302011-12-31T16:54:19.699+05:30Kagyad Chaam- A Symbol of Peace and Prosperity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3QVK8DqBjw/Tv7lchFHAlI/AAAAAAAAArs/CAvlgQINaBw/s1600/383643_2082940293318_1839428937_1352882_833443457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T3QVK8DqBjw/Tv7lchFHAlI/AAAAAAAAArs/CAvlgQINaBw/s400/383643_2082940293318_1839428937_1352882_833443457_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main <i>Torma </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dD-f_pfhb8/Tv7lg7O9e3I/AAAAAAAAAr0/P0UmP8EK5WU/s1600/408083_2096412590117_1839428937_1359472_1329949832_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--dD-f_pfhb8/Tv7lg7O9e3I/AAAAAAAAAr0/P0UmP8EK5WU/s400/408083_2096412590117_1839428937_1359472_1329949832_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monks performing with liturgical music</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kagyed
<b><i>Chaam</i></b>
is a Sikkimese Dance performed on the 28<sup>th</sup> and 29<sup>th</sup> day
of the 10<sup>th</sup> Month of the Tibetan calendar which generally falls in
the last week of December. The word <b><i>Chaam</i></b> in Tibetan corresponds to a dance
performed by various artists. This dance is performed in Sikkim symbolizing the
destruction of the evil forces and hoping for peace and prosperity to flourish
in every Sikkimese home. The dancers of this enormously admired <b><i>Chaam</i></b>
are always monks who are accomplished in liturgical music and chanting. The solemn
nature of the dance is interspersed with comic relief provided by the jesters.
Kagyed dances enact various themes from the Buddhist mythology and culminate
with the burning of effigies made of flour, wood and paper. During monarchy,
Sikkim used to celebrate this dance as a national event. One can notice the Kagyed
<b><i>Chaam</i></b>
celebration of monarchical Sikkim in the visuals of much awaited documentary of
Satyajit Ray. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLU5nYONc5E/Tv7lW0YrSlI/AAAAAAAAArk/l3iWkzBpmD0/s1600/324149_2090802729874_1839428937_1356218_1436700357_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OLU5nYONc5E/Tv7lW0YrSlI/AAAAAAAAArk/l3iWkzBpmD0/s400/324149_2090802729874_1839428937_1356218_1436700357_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monks performing Kagyad Chaam at Enchey Monastery Gangtok </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With
full of religious fervour this year also Kagyed Chaam was performed in a majestic
comportment at Enchey Monastery Gangtok. The pictures with this post are taken
by Mr. Tashi Wangyal Denzongpa at Enchey Monastery. I am thankful to him for
sharing these pictures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Ranipool, Sikkim, India27.2914168 88.591553727.2773058 88.571812700000009 27.3055278 88.6112947tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8998575174210570941.post-32875357130618574312011-12-30T12:35:00.000+05:302011-12-30T12:35:56.484+05:30Feudal Judicial System of Sikkim- A Brief Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFi3lLX-7Tk/Tv1f8F7prKI/AAAAAAAAArY/3b3AaVSXYxM/s1600/High+Court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nFi3lLX-7Tk/Tv1f8F7prKI/AAAAAAAAArY/3b3AaVSXYxM/s1600/High+Court.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like any other feudalistic arrangements, the judicial system of
Sikkim has a history of its own. The King though, enjoyed a highest position in
the feudalistic set up, could not execute his judicial obligations properly as
he was surrounded by the then “Elites”, the <i>Kazis</i>,
who were the <i>de-facto</i> arbitrators of
their <i>Ellakas</i>. They could tax,
confiscate, mortgage and sometimes seized the lands of peasants into Home Farm,
the Private land holdings of the <i>Kazis</i>.
In
short, the <i>Kazis</i> were the fountainhead
of justice in feudalistic Sikkim and it is because of such “Lawless Law” the
ordinary peasants were compelled live a combatant’s life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sikkim’s contacts with the British Indian Government had even worsened
the existing judicial system of Sikkim. Available testimonials highlight that
in 1909, the Kazis, Thikadars and Lamas were invested with legal powers by a
State Council Resolution. They could try Civil Suits up to the valuation of Rs.
500/-. The State Council Resolution of 1909 had thus given an overwhelming
power to the state machinery (Kazis, Mandals, Mukhtiyars, Karbaris) to exploit
the common people, especially the peasants in the name of legal action. It is
to be mentioned here that the formation of “British Styled” State Council used
to have the British Political Officer as its President. After the establishment
of the said Council, the Sikkimese Kings were kept behind curtail and the British
Political Officer began to take decisions, enact Laws and to rule the Kingdom with
the assistance of pro-British Kazis like Phodang Lama, Khangsa Dewan and Shoe
Dewan and so on. The Kings whosoever tried to oppose the new set up either were
sent to prison (Maharaja Thotub Namgyal) or were given mysterious death
(Maharaja Sridkyong Trulku). </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Before the establishment of High Court at Gangtok,
administration of justice in Sikkim was being carried out by the Feudal
Landlords (<b><i>Adda </i></b>Courts), <i>Dzongpens</i>
(District Officers). <i>Pipons</i> (Headmen)
and Mandals with the Chogyal at the top.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>
All the important judgments were given at the <b><i>Adda</i></b> Courts and at the
Settlement Houses by the Feudal Officials and used to give inhuman punishments
of <i>Thinguro</i> placed at the Kazi’s House</span>.
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">These <i>Thinguros</i> were made
up of wooden planks, the culprit had to put his legs inside the hole of the <i>Thinguro</i>, after doing it, the mouth of
the <i>Thinguro</i> was tighten by a rod or
an iron, thus, leaving the culprit standing with utter pain. He could not sit as
the wood was tightened on his knees, therefore he did not have other
alternatives than to cry in the dark prison of the Kazi. Further, he was not
given a single drop of water for three four days, after the Kazi got satisfied
from the punishment, finally he was granted pardon.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In 1916, Appellate Courts by the designation of Chief Court was created
with jurisdiction to try important original suits and also to hear appeals
against the decisions of the <b><i>Adda</i></b> Courts. But, from the study it
reveals that there were very few cases of appealing against the decision of the
<b><i>Adda</i></b>
Courts due to the threat of havoc from the Kazis and Mukhtiyars. <i>This Court also exercised supervisory and
appellate jurisdiction over the <b>Adda</b>
Courts. The Chief Court was not the final Court. The appeal against the
decision of the Chief Court would lie to the Supreme Court of His Highness, the
Maharaja. The Court of the Maharaja was the final Court of appeal in the State.
It has no original jurisdiction. A Board on the lines of the Judicial Committee
of the Privy Council in England would hear the parties and scrutinize the
evidence regarding merit of the case and then tender its opinion to the
Maharaja</i>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(From the
compilation of Hon’ble Shree A.P Subba, Former Judge High Court of Sikkim)</span><br />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> <i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In 1949, the <b>Adda</b> Courts were abolished on the recommendation of the Judicial
Proposal Committee. The State was divided into 4 (four) revenue Districts and
Magistrates were appointed in District with original and appellate jurisdiction
on the criminal and civil side. The Courts of the Assistant Magistrate and the
Court of <b>Tahsildars</b> were created. In
the lowest rung, a few Honorary Courts of Magistrates were created to dispose
of petty criminal and civil cases. The Chief Magistrate had both original and
appellate jurisdiction on civil and criminal sides. He had unlimited powers
</span></i>(<span class="apple-converted-space">From the compilation of Hon’ble Shree A.P
Subba, Former Judge High Court of Sikkim)</span>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The independence of India breeds a new hope of liberty inside the
minds of the peasants of Sikkim. They too began to organise themselves in a
larger manner for their rights and liberties. Due to pressure made by Sikkim
State Congress, all the forced labours were wiped out by the reformist Maharaja
Sir Tashi Namgyal in 1948. Further, the overwhelming powers enjoyed by the
Kazis and his Officials were also restrained, indicating a new aeon in the
history of Judiciary of Sikkim. From the available records it appears that in
1953, a Judge of the High Court of Sikkim was appointed but in 1955, High Court
of Judicature (Jurisdiction and Powers) Proclamation, 1955 was issued
establishing a High Court in Sikkim. The High Court thus established was made
the final Court in all judicial matters, civil or criminal, subject to the
exercise of prerogative by the Maharaja to grant mercy, pardon, remission, commutation
and reduction of sentence in case of conviction. The Maharaja had also retained
his prerogative to set </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">up a Special Tribunal
for the review of any case, civil or criminal.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
becoming the 22nd State of India under Clause (i) of Article 371F, the High
Court functioning immediately prior to the date of merger became the High Court
for the State of Sikkim under the Constitution like any other High Court in the
country. Under Clause (i) of the same Article all Courts of Civil, Criminal and
Revenue Jurisdiction, all Authorities and all Officers, Judicial, Executive and
Ministerial throughout Sikkim were to continue to exercise their respective
powers subject to the provisions of the Constitution and under Clause (k) all
laws in force immediately before the appointed day in Sikkim were to continue
to be in force until amended or repealed by a competent legislature or other
competent authority.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">created by Rajen Upadhyay</div>Dr. Rajen Upadhyayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15212916551317912950noreply@blogger.com0Gangtok, Sikkim, India27.3389356 88.606503527.282515099999998 88.5275395 27.3953561 88.6854675