Trilochan Pokhrel- The forgotten Gandhian of Sikkim

For the first time when I heard his name I was in III Standard. It was in a Nepali book called Kathamala 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 “Purba Sikkim Tareythang ka Gandhi Pokhrel....” (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.

Late Trilochan Pokhrel- The Forgotten Gandhian of Sikkim

Late Gandhi Pokhrel was born at Tareythang Busty in Eastern Sikkim possibly in the last decade of 19^th 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 Bharat Chhodo Aandolan (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 Charkha, 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 fakir Gandhi. Akin to Gandhiji he too wear a piece of cotton Dhoti, with a pair of Khadau (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 Bande Mataram 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 Swadeshi of Mahatma Gandhi among the Sikkimese peasantry. During his leisure he used to go to Rongli Bazar and sit there a side with his charkha (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.

Mr. Tara Prasad Bhattarai of Tareythang Pic: Binod Bhattarai

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 “Expired on 27-1-69 at Prakritik Chikitsalaya, Ranipatra, P.O Ranipatra District Purunia Bihar at 9 AM”.

I am greatly thankful to Mr. Binod Bhattarai Research Scholar in Sociology Pondicherry University for sharing this photograph and additional information about this Gandhian Sikkimese. Further information about Late Trilochan Pokhrel the Sikkimese Gandhian soul shall be updated in the blog. 

Old Photographs from Sikkim, Darjeeling and Tibet

Bhutias of Darjeeling in 1860's Pic Courtesy Old Indian Photos

Gangtok Residency Pic: Charles Alfred Bell

Chumbi Valley Utensils Pic: C.A Bell

Nepalese in Lhasa Pic: C.A Bell

C A Bell with the Tibetans in Lhasa 

Sky Burial in Tibet Pic: C A Bell

Namchi Bazar in the 70's

Last Sikkimese Queen Hope Cooke with her son Prince Palden

Mr. N.B Bhandari the Second Chief Minister of Sikkim in the 70's

Mr. N B Bhandari  in the 80's

Note: The pictures posted above are collected from various websites and social networking sites. 

Government Senior Secondary School Ranipool- A Story of its Establishment

Ranipool School at Ghatttey Hill  in the 60's

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 Ghattey School? Few people informed me that before the establishment of a school at the earlier site there used to be a Pani Ghatta (Grinding machine that runs with water power) and the place was thence known as Ghattey Dara (Ghattey Hill). Hence after the commencement of a Primary School at the Ghattey 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.

Teachers' and Students' in the 60's

Late Brihaspati Parsai collecting funds for the School 

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 Langadey (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.

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. “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”.

Welcoming the dignitaries during an event in the 60's 

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.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.

Students and Teachers with new furniture on the day of becoming a Govt. aided school

Recent picture of Brihaspati Parsai Memorial School 

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.

Brihaspati Parsai- The Peasant Leader of Sikkim

Late Brihaspati Parsai addressing peasants at Rangpo during Satyagraha

Late Brihaspati Parsai a.k.a Parsai Bajey was born on 30^th June 1899 at Karkaley Pipaley 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 Chandragadi in Jhapa district, the young lad moved further east and reached Silagadi (now the place is known as Siliguri). He stayed at Silagadi 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.

Late Parsai (sitting) with L.D Kazi (Right to him)

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 Ghattey 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^th 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 Kalobhari, Jharlangi, Theki Bethi, Kuruwa and Ghar-Lauri. 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.

Parsai leading a procession at Singtam in 1961

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.

People gathered at Alley Ground Namchi to listened to Late Parsai

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 Karma 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^th June 1979 at his residence at Namli in East Sikkim. 

An Old Hukkah found at Chota Singtam

The Old Hukkah

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.

It used to be covered while smoking

While doing my survey I met many peasants who carried the most hatred Kalobhari, Jharlangi and worked in the fields of Kazi, Thikadars and Mandals as Bethi Khetala (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.

There used to be a pipe at the end which is now destroyed

Tax Receipt of Birdhoj Limboo paid on 31 Dec 1922

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^th 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.

Paljor Namgyal- The Pilot Prince of Sikkim

Prince Paljor Namgyal, the first and the only Pilot prince of Sikkim was born on 26thNovember, 1921 at the Royal Palace, Gangtok to the Eleventh Maharaja of Sikkim, Sir Tashi Namgyal, K.C.I.E, K.C.S.I. and Maharani Kunzang Dechen. His original name was Kunzang Choley 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.

The Crown Prince, Paljor Namgyal was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Indian Air Force and based at Ambala. He served in World War II in 1940-41. 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 receive the esteemed Victoria Cross. But, most wretchedly, Paljor Namgyal was killed in active service after he crash landed in flight near Peshawar, on 20thDecember, 1941. He was merely 20 years 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 “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. 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”.

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 “The squadron suffered its first casualty on the Lysander on 20^th 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”(P14).

As an Air Pilot Prince Paljor Pic: http://sikhim.blogspot.com

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 Dhero (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 Dhurikhajana and the prevalence of Kalobhari, Jharlangi and Theki bethi 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.

Photo Frederick Williamson Prince Paljor Namgyal standing in front of C. E Dudley Pic: Digital Himalayas

“Maharajkumar jyudo hunuhunthyo bhaney ta Sikkim aarkai hunthyo had the Maharajkumar been alive Sikkim could have been different” was their remark on the untimed demise of the late crown prince Paljor Namgyal.

Sikkim: Through the lens of Dr. Alice S Kandell

Boy playing with Kite Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell

Dr. Alice Kandell hiding behind a Sikkimese soldier to  take a photograph of a Chinese soldier along the Nathu-La Pass

Khyentse Rinponche Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell 

Lepcha Man and Woman standing near Singhik Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell

Lepcha man in traditional bamboo hat and woven clothing  holding knife in Singhik Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell 

Lepcha women in traditional clothing in Singhik Pic Dr.Alice Kandell

Mt. Kanchenjunga, third highest mountain in the world Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell

Nepalese family outside of clay home Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell 

People herding yaks along a mountain path to higher grazing land Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell

Person crossing river on a wooden bridge Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell

Prince Palden (Second from Left) making silly faces with friends Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell

Rumtek Monastery seen from across courtyard Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell

Selling Rice in Gangtok Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell

Singlay Lama & grandchildren sit in haystack near Singhik Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell 

Suspension Bridge over River Pic:Dr. Alice Kandell

Two Men secure wood logs on Yak's back Pic: Dr. Alice Kandell

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two books published in 1971 feature these photographs-- Mountaintop Kingdom: Sikkim (with text by Charlotte Salisbury) and a book for children called Sikkim: The Hidden Kingdom. Dr. Kandell also wrote and illustrated articles about Sikkim forRedbook, Holiday, Scholastic, and The Saturday Evening Post.

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.

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 Tour of the Lost Kingdom: Sikkim," can be viewed online.

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 http://www.loc.gov

Maghe Sankranti: Sikkimese Festival of Joy and Happiness

A scene of Maghey Mela at Ranipool 

Maghe Sankranti is the commencement of the holy month of Maugh, which usually falls in the mid of January. It brings an end to the inauspicious month of Poush (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 Maghe Sankranti 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 Triveni. Sikkimese people usually visit Triveni 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 Tika of Ban Tarul (Dioscorea Hamiltonii) on their foreheads.

In addition to holy bathing and worship of shrines, certain auspicious foods like till laddoos (seasame seeds ball cakes), chaku(molasys), gheu (clarified butter), sweet potatoes, khichari (mixture of rice and lentils) and Simal Tarul (Tapioca) are taken on this day. Edibles like sweet potatoes, ban tarul and tapioca are regarded as Kandamuls (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.

Rotey Ping; The major attraction of Maghey Mela at Ranipool 

Historical Importance of Maghe Sankranti in Sikkim:

The study of Sawai and Khado (the writings of some contemporary writers) and the History of the Gorkhas reveals the fact that in 1788-89, the Gorkha General Jahar Singh crossed the Chiabhanjyang pass, taking the Sikkimese forces by complete surprise and made a lightening raid on Rhabdentse. “The capital was caught napping and the most disorganized abandonment of any capital imaginable took place”. 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. 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 Khukris on the river and had taken a rinse in the river, they sang, danced and took all wild foods like ban tarul, sweet potatoes etc. on the day of Maghe Sankranti. 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.

People busy in buying materials during feast

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 Maghe Mela. 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, Maghe Sankranti 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.

Sikkim Coronation: From the Collection of Dr. Alice S. Kandell’s Photographs

Picture of Dr. Alice S. Kandell 

Sikkim Coronation 1965- The King and the Queen Pic: Dr Alice S Kandell

Guest at Sikkim Coronation- Photographer Dr. Kandell on the queue to put Khada to the King 

King and Queen getting ready to fly Bhutan Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell

  

King and Queen on the Royal Throne Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell

King and Queen during Coronation Pic: Dr. Alice S. Kandell

The Chogyal receiving salute from Sikkim Guards Pic: Dr. Alice S. Kandell

Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and Gyalmo Hope Cooke of Sikkim Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell

Marketplace of Gangtok in 1965 Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell

Nepali Naumati Baja on the day of Chogyal's Coronation Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell

Nepali Girls on the Coronation Day  Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell

Princess of Sikkim Standing on Right Pic: Dr. Alice S Kandell

Royal Procession on Chogyal's Birthday Pic Dr. Alice S Kandell

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.

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.

Other photographs taken by Dr. Kandell are available at http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?st=grid&co=kskm