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GLIMPSES OF THE HISTORY OF SIKKIM

The history of Sikkim can be studied under three heads:

1) The pre-monarchy period,

2) The monarchy period, and

3) The post monarchy period.

1) The pre-monarchy period: During this ancient period the concept of state

having not been developed, there was no State. The social organisation in
prevalence then was tribal in nature. It was a pre-civil society under the authority of
a tribal chief. People who were inhabiting the country then were the aboriginal

tribes.*

2) The monarchy period: The period of monarchy begins with the consecration of

Phuntsok Namgyal as the first king of Sikkim by the three Tibetan Lamas, namely,
Lhatsun Chhenpo, Nga-dag Lama and Kathhog Lama. It is said that the three lamas
had fled Tibet to save themselves from persecution set on foot by reforming party in

Tibet and had met in Yoksam, West Sikkim after many wanderings. As the story goes,
the three Lamas sent for Phuntsok Namgyal, an influential Tibetan, then residing at

Gangtok, and installed him as the first Raja of the whole country in the year 1642. It is
a matter of history that twelve generations of Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim for 333
years (1642 to 1975).**

The Magars who are renowned warriors and who were an important part of the
then Sikkim Guards are mentioned as one of the groups who participated in the

coronation celebration of Phuntsok (Penchoo) Namgyal, the first king in 1642.*

During this period, Sikkim was made protectorate under the British Govt. in the

year 1861 [Treaty of Tumlong, 1861]. In the year 1949, an interim ministry was formed
to meet the demand of the people for more democratic form of Govt. The said
ministry was, however, dissolved after 29 days. After two decades later in the year

1973, there was a mass revolution demanding abolition of monarchy and
establishment of a democratic set up. As a result, a Tripartite Agreement between
the then Chogyal of Sikkim, the three political parties of Sikkim and the Govt. of India

was signed on May 8, 1973. This historic agreement paved the way for a fully

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