Today, the state of Sikkim celebrates its 49th statehood day with passion and excitement after becoming the 22nd Indian state in 1975. After it became the 22nd Indian State, the monarchy under King Palden Thondup Namgyal was abolished.
On this grand occasion, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and Governor Lakshman Archarya highlighted the state’s journey towards democracy by respecting its values, cultural preservation, education in the state, and also its natural splendor and cultural heritage.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi stated on his official X Page that ‘Statehood Day greetings to the people of Sikkim. This state is blessed with rich natural beauty and is home to warm-hearted people. Sikkim has made great strides in areas like organic farming. Praying for the state’s continuous growth and for the good health of it’s citizens.’
Sikkim’s History
The history of this state is filled with ancient tales of myths and legends. Many claim that this kingdom was first mentioned in Hindu mythology when Lord Shiva, in his iconic appearance as a hunter, appeared at the Kirateshwar Temple in Western Sikkim. In the 17th century, the state saw a massive migration of Tibetans who left their country due to the conflict between the Yellow Hat and Red Hat sects in Tibet.
In the year 1642, Sikkim witnessed the establishment of a monarchy with the ascension of its first Chogyal king, Phuntsog Namgyal. The Chogyals even appointed three famous Lamas from the south, west, and northern regions, who extended the powers of the Chogyals in the western Sikkim region. They extended their kingdom towards the Chumbi Valley and some parts of eastern Nepal.
The Chogyas instituted a system of power and governance by appointing 12 ministers to its 12 administrative divisions. There was also a conflict with the Tibetan, Bhutias, Lepchas, Limbus, and Magars communities.
The Rise and Influence of Buddhism
Buddhism played a very important part in the kingdom of Sikkim by shaping the religious and cultural landscape in ancient Sikkim. In the early 8th century CE, Tibet was the first country to experience Buddhism, and it started to spread slowly in some of the regions in the Indian plains as well. Crucial religious places like Rumtek Monastery, which is located in Gangtok, played an important role by becoming centers for learning spiritual practice and the traditions of Buddhism.
The Tibetan refugees who arrived in the 17th century due to the Tibet conflict included a lot of Buddhist monks and scholars who contributed to the growth of Tibetan Buddhism and the introduction of Bhutia culture in Sikkim.
The Pre-Independence Era
During the pre-independence era, Sikkim was a small Himalayan kingdom located between the borders of India and Tibet. The kingdom operated as an ally under the supervision of the British, with the Chogyals in charge of the interior matters and the British in charge of the exterior or external matters of the kingdom.
After India’s independence from the British in 1947, it continued to be an ally to the Indian government by signing the Indo-Sikkim Treaty in 1950.
The Post-Independence Era
Despite being controlled by the treat, the interior matters of Sikkim continued to degrade and go out of the hands of the Chogyal empire as a conflict started among the local Nepali-speaking population with the indigenous tribes of Lepchas and Bhutias. Due to the conflict, there was an increased demand for democracy in the 1960s and 1970s, with many widespread protests beginning in 1973.
However, in the 1974 general elections in Sikkim, a pro-Indian party won the majority of votes in the election; therefore, Sikkim was annexed to India and was made the associated state in the nation. However, the tensions between the Chogyal monarchy and the Indian government continued. In 1975, a referendum was signed that promoted the total abolition of monarchy in the state. After the agreement was signed, the Indian Parliament passed the 36th Amendment Act on this day in 1975, officially announcing Sikkim as the 22nd state of India.
China’s Recognition of Sikkim
Before Sikkim became an Indian state, their neighbors and rivals in China also contested with them for the annexation of Sikkim but failed. Even after the year 1975, China did not recognize Sikkim as an Indian state until 2003, when the Chinese authorities fully acknowledged the Himalayan state as an Indian state. This acknowledgment by the Chinese authorities improved relations between India and China.
