Documents are the small openings from where we can peep our former times with a closer comportment. It is indeed a greatest wealth to a lover of history and a fountain of information for the person who all are trying to restructure our past with a new stance. The key reason for the obscurity of the history of Sikkim before 1640 A D is due to the lack of historical documents. It is a universal fact that the foundation of History is based on the evidences. But, unfortunately due to the lack of such materials our history before 1640 A D has to hobble on the way towards its reconstruction.
To be in proximity of the old documents have now become a hobby for me. I love the contents inside which not only provides me information but also makes me to feel as a part of the times of yore. We have many documents which are scatter around all the nooks and bends of Sikkim. I am thankful to Mr. Keshav Gautam (My teacher during my Graduation days and presently a great friend) for sharing this incredible document with me. It dates back to Vikrama Samavat 1943 i.e. 1886 A.D which is a Deed for a land lease to the Kazi of Pathing named Thondok by a person (probably a Nepali Kazi) called Nandalall Upadhyay.
The document is related to the leasing of an estate to the said Kazi by Nandalall Upadhyay. The estate which was rented to the Pathing Kazi is situated presently in the North Bengal region of the Indian State of West Bengal. Written in old Nepali language the document has 14 lines. On the top of the document Maharaja 1 and Sarkar 2 is written which is later used in core of the document to designate them. It bears a Nepali seal on the left corner and after the accomplishment of the deed it has another Seal which seems to have been the similar one. An abstract of this document is as under:-
Greetings to the Kazi of Pathing Thondok……
“I have four forts North of Vardhaman River, East of Rangapani south of the Taklapani (???) River and West of Sintila you can set up villages of the Paharias wherever you find arable lands. You should cultivate the fields with your own cannel not from the existing one, wherever it is possible you should tell your settlers to terrace the lands. For three years you should not pay any rent to me but, from the fourth year you should pay me rent as 8 Muri (1 Muri is equal to 80 Kg) for 100 Muri as well as Rs. 1 as house rent from every house holders. All the Paharias who belong to Char Jaat Chattish Varna, among them, whosoever comes should be given land for cultivation; they will be staying there according to their Dharma. If some disputes arise you have to settle them according to the customary rights prevalent among the territory of Shree 1. Further, if a Paharia stays at a house abandoned by a Bhutia, the fruits in his orchard like banana, orange can be picked by the latter. The Brahmins should be exempted from carrying loads; they should execute their religious duties and pay the taxes to Shree 2. The Paharias should not sell their cattle to the Bhutias. If certain disputes arise between them they should be brought to the Kuccheri (Court). We are granting you the freedom of practicing your own religion. Our people will never disturb you in practicing your beliefs”.
Nandalall Upadhyay Brahman along with the Mukhtiyars, Mandals of our four forts
Ashwin 10 Roj 5 1943 Vikrama Samavat
This document is an evidence to say that although the British had taken these regions from the Nepalese in 1816 (Segauli Treaty) many of such estates were still possessed by the politically connected Nepalese. Politically the region beyond Teesta which includes both the Hill and the plains of the erstwhile Sikkim were taken by the British East India Company with an agreement. But, the present document reveals the fact that few influential personalities of the neighbouring countries could even possess landed property in the Company Territories as a personal Zagir.
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