Today we can see a sense a lack of
direction and purpose among significant proportion of the young people in
Sikkim. There is an increasing number of drug abuse cases, suicides or they are
just drifting along life or indulging in mindless entertainment. Could these be
just symptoms of a more deeper malaise in our community. On the surface we are
doing better than any state in India. As I travel across the border to West
Bengal I have observed that the socioeconomic condition of majority of
population is difficult. Yet there is relatively insignificant misuse of
prescription drugs or even cases of suicides. Could we be afflicted with
Identity crisis and loss of sense of belonging? Even in the sociopolitical
arena there is an atmosphere of confused identities, poor sense of belonging or
hazy principles. More sadly there is an ever increasing undercurrent drive to
accumulate weaith without moral compass. However, I shall in this article focus
mainly on the issue of Sikkimese identity.
The beginning of Sikkim as a separate
entity was established by the four holy ones; three of whom came from Tibet.
The principal founder was Lhatsun Namkha JigmeChenpo thought to be an emanation
of Guru Rinpoche. The other two holy ones were Ngadak Sempa Chenpo, Katok
kuntuzangpo. The fourth one who was to be the future king was residing in
Gangtok. This event as known to most of us happened at Yuksam where first king
Phungtsog Namgyal(Chogyal) a direct descendant of Prince Khey Bumsa was
enthroned in the year 1642. Prior to that it is evident that three main ethnic
groups were residing adjacently in their own respective territories in what
would later become the kingdom of Sikkim.
The three main ethnic groups were viz. the
Lepchas, the Bhutias and Limboos(Tsongs). The Lepchas were presumably the
earliest inhabitants of Sikkim or the original inhabitants as per their
legends. Further the Kingdom was roughly three times the size of present day
state of Sikkim.
The interesting and unique fact is that
this kingdom was established by consensus and peaceful means. The Three ethnic
groups decided to join together to form a new entity which was known as Denzong
or Sikkim. This was as per the vision of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) a
6" Century Indian Buddhist master. The kingdom was to be established as a
Dharma kingdom ruled by a dharma King(Chogyal). The Chogyal is a Tibetan word
for dharma king. This was as per Indo-Buddhist ethos based on Dharma which
means Universal Law and its definition is very complex if pursued in detail.
For most of us it would be sufficient if it is understood as comprising of 1.
Ahimsa (Non-violence), 2. Peace, 3. Co-operation, 4. Rightful Law & ethics.
The nearest corollary would be Ram Rajya of the Ramayana. This how the kingdom
of Sikkim (Denzong) and Sikkimese(Denzongpas) came to be established. The name
Sikkim is used by Sikkimese of Nepalese origin and originated from the Limboo
word Sukhim probably whereas the word Denzong is used by the Bhutias for
Sikkim. Denzong is a bhutia word for valley of rice.
Thus the kingdom of Sikkim come into
existence. This was a multi-ethnic, pluralistic sikkmese kingdom ruled by a
Bhutia king along with Lepcha, Bhutia and Limboo chieftains. The king was not
an absolute monarch rather a democratic monarch similar to republics in early
India. It is true that there was feudalism in Sikkim but that was the
prevailing politico-social system in most of south- east Asia. But in Sikkim
the practice was relatively milder which I believe was due to the influence of
dharma. The Kings were Buddhist but they never imposed their religion on their
citizens nor forced their culture. The citizens were allowed to practice their
own faiths and culture. It is an amazing contrast to that of neighboring Nepal
which come into existence as a Hindu cum Gorkha kingdom in 1768 through
military might of Prithivi Narayan Shah the ruler of Gorkha. The important
thing to note is prior to these two epochs the two nations and their identities
did not exist. What existed were small kingdoms/tribes with small
kings/chieftains in this Himalayon region
The other salient feature of Sikkim is that
the King Phuntsog Namgyal's ancestor
Prince Khey Bumsa and his entire tribe
travelled more than 1000miles from Kham to settle in the valley of rice .This
happened approximately 400 years before the establishment of Sikkim as an
independent kingdom. However, a strong conjecture can be made that significant
population of Bhutias were already settled in the three valleys of Chumbi in
Tibet, Ha in Bhutan and Eastern part of Sikkim. These settlements predate the
arrival of Khey Bumso. The Bhutias (Lhopas) were motivated by the vision and
prophecy of Guru Ripoche. The Namgyal dynasty and the Bhutias (Lhopas) thereby
upheld the dharma propounded by Guru Rinpoche and established monasteries
wherever they lived and toiled. That's how Guru Rinpoche became the Patron
saint of Sikkim as the kingdom came to existence as per his vision. The
strength of Bhutias lies in their faith which has given them direction through
successive generations. In bhutia language Dharma is known as Choss or Tenpo.
We can say the Bhutias are people of the Guru's vision. The current younger
generation has somewhat drifted away perhaps due to rapid historical and
developmental changes. If this trend continues it would be a great loss.
The Lepchas are the earliest inhabitants of
this Himalayan region stretching from Bhutan in East to the Arun river, Nepal
in the west. However, their legends tie them closely to Sikkim (Myal Lang) and
believe themselves to be originated near Mount Kanchenjunga. They are simple
folks who live closely to nature and worship nature in many forms. They are the
people of earth (bhumiputra. In fact / believe many of their practices are
incorporated into Sikkimese Mahayana Buddhism. Over period of time they have accepted
the Sikkimese Mahayana Buddhism as they came to realize its universal
character. The great Lepcha chieftain Thekong Thek was the founder of the
nascent Panglhabsol at KaviLungchok. At present they are slowly become the
torch bearers of Dhamma (Chhos).
The Limboos or the songs were the next
major ethnic group in the new kingdom of Sikkim. They were farmers or herdsmen
and they are believed to have come from Tsangpo valley in Tibet. Therefore, the
Bhutias called them tsongs. Their headmen were called Subbas. It is likely they
had their own small kings prior to formation of Kingdoms of Nepal and Sikkim.
It may be mentioned the second king Tensung Namgyal married a Limboo princess.
History, events and unawareness have buffeted the Limboos in the passage of time.
In a sense they are the lost people of Sikkim. It is time to assert their
dignity and come home. Also it possible small pockets of other kirat tribes
like Magars may have been living in Sikkim area around that time.
Then the kingdom and its people traversed
though time buffeted by the events of history. More people came from Nepal,
Bhutan, Tibet and the plains of India and became part and parcel of this
Himalayan kingdom and become its citizen i.e.Sikkimese .The Kings of Sikkim
(Namgyal dynasty) held on to their dharma principles and conducted their
policies similarly. In course of history the Kingdom survived but became
greatly reduced in size and power. It was attacked frequently by its neighbors
Bhutan, Nepal and finally became a protectorate of British India.
And subsequently the kingdom merged with
the Indian union. Nevertheless as part of our historical legacy the Sikkimese
identity has managed to survive. The Government of india has recognized the
Sikkimese as a political entity by allowing old laws to exist under Article 371
f of the constitution. This was further confirmed by the exemption of income
tax to all Sikkimese possessing Sikkim Subject Certificates and Certificate of
Identfication. As rightly stated by Mr Jiwan Rai in Sikkim Express issue dated
2nd September,2016 "Sikkimese identity is a political reality in india.
india, as a republic has a pre-commitment to respect and nurture it".
However in my personal view to which the
readers may disagree; the essence or spirit of being Sikkimese hinges on the
fact that 1. You live in this land 2. You care for it 3. You contribute to the
land and its people positively 4. You uphold its ethos.
This was the message and mission of the
founding fathers of Sikkim. As an example i would consider my alma mater
principals Shri V.N.Longer and Mr Madhusudhan Singh as true Sikkimese for their
contribution to Sikkim. Similarly many teachers, doctors, professionals,
businessmen etc. who have contributed to Sikkim and its people can be
considered as Sikkimese.
In this context I would quote the last two
kings of Sikkim. The 11* Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal was asked "Who are your
subjects?'. It seems he replied thus " All those who pay me tax are my
subjects!". Therefore this reply clearly transcended race, caste,
community or creed. This episode happened prior to the issue of Sikkim Subject
certificates in 1961 .Finally the last Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal stated
"The pride of Sikkim has not been in the strength of arms or prowess in
battle. The hearts of her people have been set ever on the thoughts of
religion, peace and gentleness, and it has been to the study and practice of
the faith that her greatest sons have devoted themselves." The last king
in the tumultuous period of his reign showed his dignified qualities. In the
end he even won the respect and admiration of his rivals and enemies.
Thus ultimately or basically it is a choice
you make as an individual or community to be a Sikkimese or not. In Sikkim
therefore we can celebrate our rainbows of individual cultures and customs
against the vast sky of Sikkimese ethos. As my history teacher said" To
study history is to study the past and learn from our mistakes. Then use that
knowledge to see clearly in the present and work for a brighter future".
To conclude as Sikkimese, we have to stand rooted in this homeland of ours,
feel proud in our identity as Sikkimese, work together constructively and move
forward to build our united future.
(I
dedicate this article to my history teacher Mr C.P. Dewan who ignited my
interest in history).
