A brief history of Sikkim

The history of Sikkim basically unfolds with the coronation of Phuntsok Namgyal as the first Chogyal. He was coronated at Yuksom in the year 1641, and the coronation throne which witnessed this historic event, still stands today, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance. Chogyal Phuntsok Namgyal was succeeded by his son Tensung Namgyal in 1670. He shifted the capital from Yuksom to Rabdentse. Rabdentse, the second capital was very close to the Nepal border, and the Gorkhas used to constantly raid the Sikkemese territories. Owing to this, Chogyal Tsupshud Namgyal, the seventh Chogyal, shifted his capital to Tumlung in Northern Sikkim. These may have been prompted by the fact that Tibet was traditionally an ally of the Chogyals, and shared a close bond by way of marriages and other relationships. Unlike other countries, the Namgyal dynasty continued to rule Sikkim until it was annexed to the Indian Union on 16th may 1975, although it had to face its share of intrigues and wars with their neighbors, from time to time.

The Bhutanese army invaded Sikkim in 1700 and captured Rabdentse and large parts of West Sikkim. Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal had to flee to Tibet and take refuge there. Later, the mediation of H.H, the 5th Dalai Lama of Tibet, the Bhutanese army retreated and Chador Namgyal was re-installed as the Chogyal. Although Kalimpong, which was a part of Sikkim, was lost to Bhutan forever. During the reign of the sixth Chogyal - Tenzing Namgyal, the Nepalese forces invaded Sikkim and captured a large part of the country, which were restored later when the Nepalese were defeated by the British in 1816, and the subsequent signing of the treaty of Suguali. As a direct spin off, British Indian signed another treaty with Sikkim in 1817, known as the treaty of Titalia, in which the former territories which the Nepalese had captured where restored to Sikkim. Darjeeling and its adjoining areas were gifted by the Chogyal to British India. In the year 1889, British appointed Claude White as the first Political Officer in Sikkim and the Chogyal virtually became the nominal head of the country.

After the independence of India, Harishwar Dayal was appointed as the first Indian Political Officer to Sikkim. There were rumblings in the political ranks by the beginning of 1970, which demanded the removal of monarchy and establishment of a democratic setup. In the year 1973, the Sikkim Durbar suffered widespread upheaval and the monarchy finally collapsed. The Sikkim Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on 10th April 1975, abolishing the institution of the Chogyal and declaring Sikkim as a constituent unit of India.

Sikkim became a state of India by the 38th amendment of the constitution of India on 16th May 1975. The first election for the Assembly was held on 8th April 1974. Kazi Lhendup Dorjee became the first Chief Minister of Sikkim. Sikkim has seen five Chief Ministers till date. At present Dr. Pawan Champing is the Chief Minister of Sikkim, who heads his regional party Sikkim Democratic Front. which has been ruling the state since 1994 .

Bara Dasai (Vijaya Dashami)

Dashai, a festival that has been celebrating by Indian Hindus since pre-historic period are of two types, viz. (1) Bara dashai and (2) Chaitay dashai. Bara dashai - which normally falls in the month of October each year is o known by other names like Bijaya Dashami and Dushara. The festival that is celebrated in the month of Chait i.e. in the month of March, is called Chaitay dashai or Ram Nawami. Among the festivals of Nepalis Bara Dashai is the biggest of all, therefore, the enthusiasm with which this festival is celebrated is also unparallel. The warm, pleasant and bright days of autumn season with starry nights and ready to be harvested fields all around make e occasion doubly pleasant and enjoyable which starts from the Pratipada tithi in the month of October and ends only on the full moon day of that month. Durga Puja in West Bengal is Celebrated grandiosely during -Nawaratha.

Extolhing this festival a renowned Nepali poet, Kabisiromani Lekhnath Paudyal has written thus :

" Hattiuo sara hilo mailo haraiyo paniko barsha. Bhavaniko vayoh puja 'vayoh anandako barsha. "

'Meanings, with the disappearance of rainy season disappeared soggy soil and filth, and with the worship of Bhawani down poured the shower of blessings.

This festival is important not only for its religious but also for its social implications upon the society. It has a distinct mark on our religious, social, cultural and economical spheres. With the approach of Bara Dashai believed that anything done on this auspicious day is sure to meet with success, that is why, it is also widely believed that even Lord Ramachandra left for overpowering Ravana, the incarnation of evil and unthouthfulness, and also achieved victory over him on this very day of Bijaya Dashimi, known as Dushera, this festival is celebrated all over India as an important religions ceremony considering being capable of warding off bad effects of unfavourable planets and also capable of liberating a man from the sins committed through his ten senses. Besides its religious connotation, this festival also fosters a sense of fellow feeling, love and unity in the community. It unites not only the separated members of a family but also renews the relationships between the families. The value of unity cannot be undermined in the universe. As all gods united to overpower and destroy mythological demons like Mahishashur, Chand-Munda, Raktabiz, Shumva-Nishumva etc. we also must unite to form a force to fight against social evils like oppression, exploitation and injustice. It is the united effort that can bring about a peaceful atmosphere where happiness reign supreme. Hindus consider three things very important for survival viz. (i) energy (ii) wealth and (iii) knowledge, and the deities associated with these important elements are highly esteemed and worshipped with true fervour. Mahakali is worshipped for energy, Maha Laxmi for wealth and Maha Saraswati for knowledge. On the day of Bijaya Dashami it is customary to wake up early and take a shower before cladding with new dress while one of the family members engages in preparing tika in a plate by mixing items like a handful of rice properly cleaned with few spoonfuls of curd. After having completed this preparation all members eagerly wait for the auspicious time of tika to .come. With the approach of this appointed time, the head of the family, first of all, pays homage to different deities by offering them tika over the jamara kept near by. Secondly, the head of the family sticks a piece of jamara and a morsel of tika at the top of the main door in memory of the victory of Lord Ramachandra over the evils. Only after these two important religious formalities the head of the family blesses the other members of his family with tika in turns according to their age and seniority by making them sit on a cushion made of radi. The person who. offers tika pronounces blessings while he sticks the stuff on the forhead. Male members are blessed thus, in sanskrit;

"Aayon dron sutay shriyo dasrathay sattruchaya ragaway. Aishwaria nahushay gatishach pawanay mananchaya Duryo dhanay. Dan surja sutay bal haldharay satyan cha kuntisutay. Bigyan biduray bhawatu vauta Kirtidw Narayanay."

Meaning, May you live long as Ashwatama, be wealthy as King Dasrath, victorious as Lord Rama, strong as Balaram, luxurious as king Nahushan and possess the swiftness of wind, hospitality of Durjodhan, be laboriaus as Karna and wise as Bidur and finally let your goad deeds be reversed and praised far and wide as the good deeds of Lord Krishna.

Similarly, the female members are blessed thus;

"Jayanti mangala Kali Vadrakali Kapalini, Durga Chhama Shiva ghatri shawaha shawagha namostutay."

The couplet means, may Durga bless you, fulfill all your wish.. May you have plenty to share with others and may all praise and speak well of you always.

This festival of Bijaya Dashami is an example of upliftment and glorification of female gender in Hindu society. Worshipping Durga is indirectly revering women which has been confirmed by this sanskrit conplet "Isterea samastastwa devi veda" which literally means the women are the incarnation of Durga Mata. With this very reason Kumari, in many Hindu society are worshipped in different religious ceremonies. No one should forget that the upliftment of women is the upliftment of a society where they have an important part to play.

Finally, the importance of Bara Dashai cannot be overlooked. Its main aim is to make an individual energetic and powerful enough, through vedic mantra and upashna, to be able to lead his society and the nation towards development. The entertainment side of this festival is also of not less value and importance. The fun and frolic that this festival generates provides enough amusement and entertainment to an individual's body, mind and brain which is very essential for his well being and good health. Old or young, rich or poor all alike, take tika from their elders and eat delicacies such as non vegetarian recipies, curd, chcura and fruits etc. and also share the same with guests and neighbours. For communial amusement and entertainment swings, both lingayping and rotay ping are installed at . different places where the revellers from the neighbourhood throng in to enjoy.

In some states of India staging of Ramlila and dramatization of Ramayana are also in vogue during this festival. Therefore, considering this festival only as an occasion to worship the deity of energy and strength would be in appropriate, because, it is our cultural, religious, social and above all, a National festival that is celebrated throughout the country and specially in Northern India.

Now, it is our duty to continue the spirit of this festival through proper appreciation of its values and ideals. We should not forget that it is a festival that enables us to establish our cultural identity and inspires all of us to render selfless service to our society and the Nation as a whole.