The Sikkimese Coinage and Turuk Kothi

Turuk Kothi standing with the same pride since ages.

Mr. Hridayendra Pradhan 7th descendant of Lacchmi Das Pradhan .

The Newars have played an imperative role to strengthen the Sikkimese economy during the 19th and 20th century. It is a knowing fact that, after receiving permission from the Sikkimpati Maharaja they started to mint coins in the name of the Sikkimese rulers. Those coins were known as Dheba Paisa and Cheptey Paisa. The picture in today’s post also belongs to the same Newars who are credited for the creation of the Sikkimese coins.It may be mentioned here that the coins of Nepal were in circulation in Tibet and Bhutan before the rise of the Gurkhas in 1768. We do not however, know whether these coins were also in circulation in those days. But, the practice of receiving the Tibetan or Indian coins had never been objected to by the rulers of Sikkim; rather they used to accept revenues in these coins from the people residing in the border areas. (Aspect of Cultural History of Sikkim- Studies in Coinage, Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya P.25)

Leaving aside the doubtful meanings of the terms Srang and Zho mentioned in the Old Sikkimese Law Book, the minting of the coins of Sikkim seems to have been started by the Newar tradesmen headed by Lacchmi Das Pradhan who were originally given contract for extacting copper from the mines. They were all known as Taksari meaning ‘owner of minting houses’. (ibidP.35)

                                                                                  

Rorathang Copper Mine from where the Taksaris extracted Copper to mint  Coins

Situated 17 Kms away from the South District Head Quarter Namchi the Turuk Kothi has many unique features. The most important among them is that it belongs to the first minter of Sikkim Lacchmi Das Pradhan. This edifice was constructed by him probably after receiving a Land Patta to extract copper from different parts of Sikkim. The historical records of Sikkim provide information that the first Patta to the Nepalese was issued in 1868. Therefore, it is obvious that the Kothi was constructed after receiving the royal order to get a Patta in the name of Lacchmi Das Newar. In this sense, this edifice can be regarded as the oldest construction of Sikkim constructed for the residential purpose. Further, Lacchmi Das was also responsible for bringing the Nepali settlers from Nepal to Sikkim to cultivate the unproductive and barren lands of Sikkim.

Another historical importance of this house is that it had served as a District Head Quarter for many years. The earlier Taksaries later became the Rai Sahibs and served the Sikkimese monarchs as their subordinates. During a brief talk, Hridayendra Pradhan, a 7^th descendent of Lachhmi Das Pradhan told me that the edifice also used to have a Settlement House then known as Kuccheri to settle the disputes among the subjects residing in their Estate. Further, the house also had a prison to punish the culprits. But, unfortunately due to the lack of maintenance the Settlement House and Kuccheri were demolished few years back.

The most amazing aspect of the Kothi is that even after the lapse of nearly 142 years, the descendents of Lacchmi Das Pradhan are living in the same house which was constructed by their dynamic ancestor. The present resident of the Kothi, Mr. Hridayendra Pradhan informed me that all the Sikkimese coins which were circulated during the 19^th century were minted at the very same spot. For the minting of such coins they used to extract copper from Pacheykhani in East Sikkim and were brought to Turuk to accomplish the task of minting. On the obverse of Doley Paisa (a denomination of Rupee also known as Dheba Paisa or sometimes Dooba Paisa) they struck Shri Shri Shri Sikkim Sarkar in Nepali to give a distinct outlook from the Nepali coins.  

But the coinage of Sikkim had a short life as it was unable to circulate itself in the Gurkha dominion of Nepal due the hurdles imposed on Sikkimese coins by them. To remove such restrictions the Newar traders of Sikkim made their representation to the Prime Minister of Nepal. But, all their efforts went futile as the Nepalese authorities rejected the petition of Newari traders on the ground that “The present pice (Paisa) coin of Sikkim issued to be lesser in weight then that of Nepal.”(ibid pp28-29)

The decision of the Nepali Government proved akin to a last nail on the coffin to the Sikkimese coinage. Though, the dream of the Newari traders to mint a distinct coin for Sikkim had an untimed demise, they occupied reputed chairs under Sikkimese monarchy to execute their services to the Sikkimese Crown and its Subjects.

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)