I want to become a Sikkim Historian

War objects found at Tumlong Palace ruins

I never wanted to be a teacher, and at the same time, I never had any options. I had always been interested in history since school, but destiny had another career for me. When I completed high school, I compromised my dream of becoming an archeologist and opted for Pure Science streams. In my early schooling days, we were taught to plant dreams, and I dreamt of becoming an archeologist. Tutankhamen, Stonehenge, El Dorado, Atlantis, Crop Circles, Incas, Mayas, ancient civilizations and many others were the only things I used to fantasize. I regularly visited forest areas in my hometown and searched for things, believing that I was an archeologist and was destined to discover them. My biggest irony of life one day I found a real plant fossil, it was a petrified fossil with an impression of a Gramineae leaf. Since 2003 I am trying to get more information of it but without any success.

I completed my Pure Science studies and opted for Botany Honours at Sikkim Government College in Tadong, Gangtok. After my dreams of being an archeologist were scattered, I could not set up goals for my life. I completed my Botany Honours, never knowing what was next! After that, I was to follow, which I had never ever given thought. I would say Lady Luck smiled at me. I joined Weekend Review Newspaper at Gangtok, and since then, there has been no looking back. Through the Weekend Review newspaper, I unfolded my fantasy of learning Sikkim. The year then was 2003.

The seed of archeology was there with me, but one incident changed my outlook toward my thoughts. It was in then Calcutta, my first visit to the metros I was surprised to find that most of the people out there never knew about Sikkim. Some thought it to be in Nepal, some in China, and others made my home state stand somewhere in Bhutan. Till then, I had never known what Sikkim was all about. Since that incident, I have been trying to study Sikkim, trying to understand what Sikkim is all about? I want to know more and more about my Sikkim, every step that played an important role in the making of Sikkim.

From archeologist to self-made Sikkim historian….I had changed the object of my life, but one thing that has remained untouched is my sincere approach towards my goal. Blogging is just a platform to make people like me understand Sikkim. What I write in this weekly column and in my blog “Proud to be a Sikkimese’ (http://sikhim.blogspot.com) is not a mere hobby of getting popular as I am said by my few friends who do not like me writing about Sikkim History. I had been told I was writing nonsense, and they believed digging the past only stinks. I am sorry for them, but I am not stopping my hunger to know about Sikkim. For each article, I go through numerous old, ragged pages of ‘fat books’ and other resources. I know my responsibilities, but my only greed lies in the fact that through my articles, I wish my younger generation learns more about our Sikkim history, which is not found anywhere else.

They wanted to kill me??

AN ENVELOPE A PIECE OF PAPER LIST OF ADDRESSES INSIDE THE ENVELOPE I was part of a successful newspaper at Gangtok; the weekly newspaper “Weekend Review” was then considered the third party in Sikkim after the Sikkim Democratic Front led by Pawan Chamling and Congress led by N B. Bhandari, former Chief Minister of Sikkim. I had just completed my graduation when I got a chance to join the big-wig WR team. It took me a week to decide, and I was a news reporter. Even then, my primary concern was looking for Sikkim's old history. The new job was interesting, challenging, and more of an adventure. I never knew what I would do the next day or where I would be. I was only told to file a report to the newspaper office at Gangtok every Thursday. I was associated with the WR team for more than two years till our editor was replaced, and I found it uncomfortable to work with the new editor. His lack of journalism ethics made me leave WR. Within the fol...

REMEMBERING FALLEN HEROES

In memory of the brave Gorkha soldiers of the Darjeeling Hills who laid down their lives for the greater cause of the motherland, Nayan Subba takes the opportunity to recall their contributions on the occasion of the 58th Republic Day The Gorkhas are a small little community in India where people of diverse origins mingle to contribute a great composite Indian culture. They are the descendants of General Amar Singh Thapa who invaded India and annexed Garhwal and Kumaon that included the hill stations of Simla, Musssoorie, Lansdowne, Almora, Nainital, Ranikhet and Pithoragarh. In the northeast General Johar Singh and General Purna Ale overran a major part of Sikkim in 1788, which included Nagri and Darjeeling. The British defeated the Gorkhas during the Anglo Gorkha war of 1814-16 and the lands they had conquered were ceded to the British and re-profiled. Those who have been living in India since the Gorkha invasion are known as the Indian Gorkhas. Darjeeling is a much favoured tour...

Maharani Kunzang Dechen wife of Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal

Maharani with her children Photo shared by Tenpa I am thankful towards Tina Tashi for providing information about the persons in the photographs. Maharani Kunzang Dechhen in the centre to her left is Prince Paljor, to her right is Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal who later became the Chogya of Sikkiml, in front is Princess Pema Tsedeun. The baby is Princess Pema Choki. MAHARANI KUSHANG DECHEN RAGASHAR was married to Chogyal Sir Tashi Namgyal, the King of Sikkim on 8th October 1918 at the Royal Chapel, Tsuklakhang Monastery. They had three sons and three daughters: Paljor Namgyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, Jigdal Tsewing Namgyal, Pema Tsedong Namgyal, Pema Choki Namgyal and Sonam Palden Namgyal. Maharani Kunzang Dechen died at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, March 1987. NB: Information taken from Royalark

Proud to be a Sikkimese: Sikkim Travel, Culture & Local Heritage

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