Sikkim was a hereditary monarchy, ruled by a chogyal (maharaja). The last such ruler was Palden Thondup Namgyal (1923-82), who succeeded to the throne in 1963. Under a treaty with India in 1950, Sikkim received full internal autonomy. Political unrest in the early 1970s, however, caused the chogyal to request Indian troops to restore order in April 1973. New Delhi sent troops and a permanent chief administrator for the protectorate. A month later, the chogyal, leaders of the political opposition, and India signed an agreement providing Sikkim with more democratic government and guaranteeing protection for minority groups.
Unrest continued, however, and by referendum the monarchy was ended in 1975 and Sikkim became an Indian state.
Sikkim (sík´ím), state (1981 pop. 315,682), 2,745 sq mi (7,110 sq km), NE India, bordered by Nepal (W); the Tibet region of China (N); and Bhutan (E). The capital and only town is Gangtok. Located in the E HIMALAYAS, most of Sikkim is mountainous. Subsistence agriculture dominates the economy, rice, corn, and millet being the principal crops. Copper is mined, and cotton weaving is an important local craft. The people are predominantly of Nepalese extraction; Buddhism is the state religion, but the majority of the population is Hindu. Tibetans began to settle in Sikkim in the 16th cent., and in 1642 a Tibetan king started a hereditary line of Sikkimese rulers that lasted until 1975. The territory was a British protectorate from 1890 to 1947.
In 1950 India assumed responsibility for Sikkim's defense, foreign relations, and communications, and Indian aid helped Sikkim overcome its long isolation from the outside world. In 1975 the Sikkimese voted to abolish the monarchy and became the 22d state of the Indian Union.
22 posted on 04/22/2006 11:59:33 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick
(The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)