Page 65 - High_Court_Of_Sikkim_Museum_ebook_Final_2024

CREATION OF JUDICIAL HISTORY

DATE PARTICULAR
914 BC • A brief translation of Sikkim Laws taken from a Tibetan manuscript given to
John Claude White (Political Officer of Sikkim 1889-1909) by the late
Khangsar Dewan. It seems that the Sikkim Laws were founded on those
spoken by Raja Melongdong, who lived in India before the time of Buddha
914 BC.
• These laws were written again by Kun-ga-gyal-tsan of Sakyapa, who was
1182
born in 1182. He was king of thirteen provinces in Tibet, and has called the

laws Tim-yik-shal-che-chu-sum or Chudug, there being two sets, one
containing 13 laws and other 16.
• The laws were again written by De-si-sangye Gya-tsho, who was born in
1653 1653 and was viceroy of Tibet. The summary of sixteen laws dealt with
general rules to be followed at the time of war; for those who are being

defeated and cannot fight; for officers and government servants; Law of
Evidence; grave offences; fine inflicted for offences in order to make
people remember; Law of imprisonment; In case of offenders who refused
to appear and orderly must be sent expressly to enquire into the case;
murder; bloodshed, for those who are false or avaricious the following
oaths are required; theft, disputes between near relatives, between man
and wife, and between neighbours who have thing in common; adultery

or taking another's wife; law of contract and for uncivilized people. In the
sixteen laws stated above there are references to courts and arbitrator.
Giving us an impression that even during those days there was certain
types of courts trying such offences.
1
In an old lease granted about 300 years ago by the 6 h Maharaja of Sikkim Raj
Tenjin Numgale by caste Mew, who was the descendent of Dharumraj of

Buddha avatar. In the said lease it was mentioned that "This document if
written in the Supreme Court of Sikkim Raj and Darbar called Ruptanchi".
Before the British The Kazis and the Thikadars as Land Lords held more or less the position of
Advent
feudal barons as feudal system like the one existed in the medieval Europe
was the prevailing system of land tenure in Sikkim.
1889 John Claude White was appointed as Political Officer in Sikkim to advise and

assist the then Maharaja in the internal administration of the country.
A representative council selected from the Chief men in Sikkim was also
constituted with the same view. (vide Sikkim Gazetteer page 26)
1889-1917 The Administration of the State of Sikkim was carried on through the
representative council, when in 1917 full powers were conferred on His

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