Kashiraj Pradhan – Father of Journalism in Sikkim

Kashiraj Pradhan was born on 11^th December 1905 at Pakyong in East Sikkim. His father Kaluram Pradhan was an innovative and an audacious individual and his mother Bhadralakshmi Pradhan was a religious and well-mannered lady. The family of Lt. Kashiraj Pradhan was accountable for the economic growth of Sikkim with their innovative ideas. His grandfather Lt. Chandrabir Pradhan popularly known as Chandrabir Taksari or Chandrabir Maskey, along with few other Newars had taken the initiative of issuing copper coins in Sikkim. Earlier, there was the influence of Tibetan coins in Sikkim but, after the coming of the British in India Sikkim had the circulation of East India Company coins. For the process of issuing own coins of Sikkim they had taken their permission from the Sikkim Durbar and started exploration of copper at Sadam, Chakhung, Motang (Pandam) and Pachey. For the introduction of copper coins in Sikkim which was exclusively made by them, the family of Lt. Chandrabir Pradhan is also known as Taksari (meaning a person who mints coin).

The greatest contribution of the Taksaris of Sikkim is the construction of a cart road from Teesta to Gangtok. They also played a crucial role for setting up of markets in different parts of Sikkim. Today’s Singtam, Rongli, Rangpo and Pakyong Bazars were established due to the determined exertions made by the families of Lt. Kashiraj Pradhan.  

In 1930, Kashiraj accomplished his Graduation from the esteemed Calcutta University. He was also the second graduate from the kingdom of Sikkim. The first person to become a graduate was Hari Prasad Pradhan. After his studies, Kashiraj entered into a teaching job at Sir Tashi Namgyal High School Gangtok where he served till 1947. In 1949, he was elected as a Cabinet Secretary with this appointment, Kashiraj entered into the politics of Sikkim. In the first General Election of 1953, Kashiraj Pradhan made an overwhelming victory and was elected as the Leader of Parliament Board. He was also nominated as an Executive Councilor in the Sikkim Durbar. Kashiraj had been given the charge of Education, Public Works, Excise and Tourism in the Sikkim Durbar’s Executive Council of 1953. With his victory in the Second General Election of 1959, he was appointed as Senior Executive Councilor by the Sikkim Durbar.

The greatest contribution of Lt. Kashiraj Pradhan to Sikkim is the introduction of journalism. In that period there was no newspaper in the entire kingdom. To fill-up the inadequacy in the political process of Sikkim the publication of a monthly Nepali journal ‘Kanchenjunga’ was started on 15^th August 1957. The editor of this journal was Nahakul Pradhan but, the entire important workout for the publication of 'Kanchenjunga' was completed by Mr. Kashiraj Pradhan. It is to be noted here that 'Kanchenjunga' was the first news based journal of Sikkim written in the language of the majority i.e. Nepali. Before he commenced the publication of Kanchenjunga, he gathered enormous experience as a reporter in Gorkha Sansar (A Nepali journal published from Dehradun) and Hindustan Standard an English Newspaper published from Calcutta. In this aspect Kashiraj can also be regarded as the first journalist from Sikkim.

In an issue of 1^st March 1964 Kanchenjunga has reported about an amazing story of V. C. Ganju Lama. Published on the topic of Ganju Goli (Bullet of Ganju) the report states thus:-

“ Subedar Ganju Lama (VC) of  11 GR has made a surprise in the world of medical science when he has taken out a bullet from his right thigh after 20 years…..The bullet was perforate  in 1944 when he was fighting in Burma in the Second World War. ..”

For his involvement in the field of journalism and his dedication for the development of the kingdom of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, the last Chogyal of independent Sikkim has awarded him the highest Civilian Award of the Kingdom “Pema Dorjee” on 4^th April 1972. In recognition of his contribution especially in the field of Nepali Literature and journalism in Sikkim, the Sikkim Sahitya Parishad, an eminent literary organization of Sikkim, has awarded Kashiraj Pradhan with the prestigious Bhanu Puraskar on 13^th July 1985.

(Picture on the top -Kashiraj Pradhan with his wife Lakshmi Devi Shrestha.

Picture in the middle -An old issue of Kanchenjunga

Picture in the Last -Chandrabir Pradhan the Grandfather of Kashiraj and the first person to mint coins in Sikkim)

My collection (Indian Coins)

History is all about facts, authenticity and it is truely scientific in nature. Being a student of history, I was always interested in the traditional way of studying it which is mostly confined in the tussles and treaties. I never had a scientific approach to study it till my graduation. It was in 2003, when I was pursuing my Masters Degree from Pune University, I came to understand the importance of numismatics in history. Since then, the study of coins has become not only a matter of interest for me but a hobby as well. This was utterly amazing for me to believe that the mere coins which are, in reality made for meeting the need of individuals in their day to day lives are also such prolific in their substantiality. Though, the coins which I have collected so far are very few in numbers but the same can emerge very useful in making a historical survey of about 400 years. They are mostly minted in copper and a very few of them are made up of silver and aluminum. They belong to the period of Great Mughals, British East India Company and British Indian Empire. The oldest coin in my collection was issued in 1616 A.D.by the Mughal Badshah Jehangir.

A brief study of some old Indian Coins

The study of coins, specifically the older ones is known to be Numismatics and this bears a pivotal role in finding out of the socio-economic scenario of any country of a given time period. On top of that, Numismatics has always played an important role for the study of history. This not only gives information about the various dynasties and their reigns, but also provides good knowledge about the economic aspects of a country. Therefore, the importance of numismatics cannot be overruled to achieve a solid idea about the past. To be very precise, this is equally important for the students and the scholars of History to take interest in Numismatics in order to grab the fullest possible idea about the past. In simple terms, it also draws the same attention as by other sources of history, viz. literary, ephigraphical and other important sources in determining the historical milestones of a nation. But, this is very disheartening to note that some of the Historians whom we come across while studying history do not put proper emphasis on this inevitable factor and thus nullify the genuineness of the study of Numismatics.

It was in 2003, when I was pursuing my Masters Degree from Pune University, I came to understand the importance of numismatics in history. I was greatly inspired by the old coins which were shown to us by our Professor Dr. Mrs. Shila Patwardhan. Since then, the study of coins has become not only a matter of interest for me but a hobby as well. This was utterly amazing for me to believe that the mere coins which are, in reality made for meeting the need of individuals in their day to day lives are also such prolific in their substantiality. Though, the coins which I have collected so far are very few in numbers but the same can emerge very useful in making a historical survey of about 400 years. I have illustrated and enumerated the importance of the coins in the subsequent paragraphs and this effort on my part will have an adorable reception, I do expect.

Mughal Coin. 01

Metal used for the coin : Copper.

Weight of the coin : 18 Grams (approx)

Year of Issue : 1616 A.D.

Place of mint : Unknown

Money Value : Unknown

Shape : Round.

Obverse : Sacred words of the Holy Quran along with 786, the holy number believed by the Muslims.

Reverse : Sacred words of the Holy Quran.

Issuing Authority : Nur-Ud-Din Muhammad Jahangir (1569- 1627 A.D)

Description : The coin was issued in 1616 A.D., the period when the influence of Nur-Jahan over the Emperor Jahangir was at its height. Made up of copper the coin weights approx. 18 grams. The coin looks more Islamic in its appearance than Indian.

East India Company Coin- 01

  Metal used for the coin:- Copper

Weight:- 6 Grams (approx)

Year of Issue:- 1616 A.D.

Place of mint:- Unknown, probably Surat, the Head Quarter of the English East India Company.

Money Value:- Half Anna.

Shape:- Round.
Obverse:- Transcribed in English “East India Company U.K.” with the mention of the year of issue as 1616.

Reverse:- Two balloon like objects have been featured.

Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.

Description:- The East India Company was founded in 1600 A.D. as they secured their permission to establish their Company in Surat. From this coin, it becomes evident that the East India Company not only secured permission to set-up a Company but, they also secured their right to mint coin in their own name.

East India Company Coin-02

Metal used for the coin:- Copper

Weight:- 8 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue:- 1717 A.D.
Place of mint:- Unknown.
Money Value:- Half Anna.
Shape:- Round.

Obverse:- Written in English “East India Company U.K.” mentioned the year of issue as 1717.

Reverse:- Portrait of Mecca, the holy place of the Muslims along with a half moon and a star. The reverse side of the coin also shows 786, the holy number of the Muslims.

Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.

Description:- The earlier coins issued by the east India Company had some secular features as we have seen, that they had featured a balloon like object on the reverse of the coins issued by them a century ago. But, this coin has the mark of Islamic religion. They engraved it on their coin to maintain a cordial relation with the Mughal authority. Their stay in India for more than a century had made them enabled to understand the Indian society in a broader manner. In order to secure more trade privileges from the Mughal Empire, they needed to show a kind of respect towards the religion of the rulers. These reasons might have compelled the East India Company to depict the image of Mecca on their coins.

East India Company Coin-03

Metal used for the coin:- Copper

Weight:- 18 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue:- 1818 A.D.
Place of mint:- Ratlam.

Money Value:- Unknown.

Shape:- Round.

Obverse:- Written in English the name of the concerned authority as “East Indya Company U.K”. The name of the place where the coin was minted has been written in Devanagari as Ratlam and is placed at the centre of the coin. At the bottom, the year of its issue is written in English. At the centre, OM the religious symbol of the Hindus is featured with few flowery designs.

Reverse:- Written in Devanagari ‘Saach Bolo Sach Taulo’ in a semi-circle manner that covers both the sides of the coin. In the middle of this writing, a figure of Lord Hanuman is depicted. At the bottom the name of issuing authority is mentioned. This coin is locally known in Sikkim as Hanumaney Paisa.

Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.

Description:- In this coin the word India is written as INDYA which suggests that the coins were probably minted by the Indian minters. The depiction of the major Indian Gods on the East India Company’s coins shows that they had a bigger aim of flourishing their trade. Politically they were well aware from the fact that the Great Mughal Empire was at the verge of disintegration. Hence, to expand their trade they wanted to have a cordial relation with some great Hindu kingdoms like Marathas and the Sikhs. This may be the important reason why they have featured the Hindu Gods on their coins.

East India Company Coin-04
Metal used for the coin:- Copper

Weight:- 8 Grams (approx)
Year of Issue:- 1818 A.D.
Place of mint:- Unknown.
Money Value:- Half Anna.
Shape:- Round.


Obverse:- Name of the issuing authority is written in a semi- circle style along with the year of its issue on the bottom of the coin with few flowery designs.

Reverse:-. In the middle, a figure of Lord Hanuman lifting Sumeru Mountain is depicted. This coin is also locally known in Sikkim as Hanumaney Paisa.

Issuing Authority:- East India Company U.K.

Description:- Same as Coin No.3.

 TO BE CONTINUED.....................