Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom

by Andrew Duff

This is the true story of Sikkim, a tiny Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas that survived the end of the British Empire only to be annexed by India in 1975.

It tells the remarkable story of Thondup, the last King of Sikkim, and his American wife Hope Cooke, thrust unwittingly into the spotlight as they sought support for Sikkim's independence after their 'fairytale' wedding in 1963. But as tensions between India and China spilled over into war in the Himalayas, Sikkim became a pawn in the Cold War ideological battle that played out in Asia during the 1960s and 1970s. Rumours circulated that Hope was a CIA spy. Meanwhile a shadowy Scottish adventuress, the Kazini of Chakung, married to Sikkim's leading political figure, coordinated opposition to the Palace. As the geopolitical tectonic plates of the Himalayas ground together forming the political landscape that exists today, Sikkim never stood a chance. On the eve of declaring an Emergency in India, Indira Gandhi brazenly annexed the country. Thondup died a broken man in 1982; Hope returned to New York; Sikkim began a new phase as India's 22nd state.

Based on interviews, archive research as well as a retracing of a journey the author's grandfather made in 1922, this is a thrilling, romantic and informative glimpse of life in Shangri La.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, India, Politics, Biography, Asia, Travel

380 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2015

Reviews

[Divakar · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our childhood – we all have read about the friendly manner Sikkim was absorbed into India and the action which was wholeheartedly endorsed by the Sikkimese in a referendum later….and how they lived peacefully after….Well…this is the official narrative and beneath this lies a tale.

Sikkim is not in our collective consciousness…No Cricket…No Bollywood…Normally not in the news. Possibly Tibet (because of the Dalai Lama in India) or Nepal (Bollywood films shot there / Earthquakes / Political Chaos / and the millions of Nepalese in the domestic service sector in India) or Bhutan (with all those idyllic stories of Gross Domestic Happiness and related fluff) occupy more mind-share than Sikkim. Sikkim for us is like a forgotten state acquired long ago and pulling along as the then 22nd state of India.

This book traces the checkered history of Sikkim…the kings and the queens…their relationships with Tibet and Bhutan thru marriages….its precarious existence as a ‘protected subsidiary’ of India ( it is an independent country but not a sovereign nation which can become a member of UN….its borders with big brother India and the still bigger brother China….and how the RAW and CBI played thru the local issues…..of a reticent and handsome king ( Thondup Chogyal) and his US wife ( Hope Cooke)…of a wily and scheming opposition leaders mostly operating out of India from Kalimpong and his colorful Scottish wife…of a nation wanting to transition to a democracy…..and the end of it……you become the fresh entrant into the Indian polity. Sadly enough, survived the British but could not survive India.

From 1947 onwards…. ‘Sikkim’ was just like the British ruled the kings of India…there was a much loved king…but there was the ‘Regent’….and in this case…the regent is an appointee of the Government of India….and he ‘helped’ the king rule the kingdom…unlike the Brits…who granted independence and move on along with their regents…..here the regent helped India annex the state and later ‘approved’ in a patently rigged referendum.

Why did India do what they did….Was it the China war and worries of China taking over…..was it because we were not sure which way Sikkim would swing if there was another war with China…or was it because the people wanted democracy and there is no better place than India for that ( The World’s largest -democracy….cradle of diversity blah blah) or was it the self-fulfillment of the original Mrs G’s image of Durga - the Conqueror ( more so after the India-Pak war of 1971)…Don’t want to give out the answer…read this book…it is compelling.

The book is a political commentary of the events that led to the annexation. At another level…the book is a story of the Namgyal dynasty…the misty eyed king and his doomed future….the tragic and mysterious deaths in the family….his romance and marriage to a young American ( whose background was hyped up to make her look like royalty and allusions drawn to Grace Kelly and the Prince of Monaco).

I wouldn’t be surprised that in our lifetimes…there are some more adventures like this on the smaller and vulnerable neighbors of ours.

Andrew Duff, first time author writes in an engaging and also an unbiased fashion…not like ‘Smash and Grab – the annexation of Sikkim by Sunanda Datta Ray’ which was a story told from the king’s perspective and totally one-sided.

I think the best books are those where the authors are in love with the subject….in this case…..Andrew Duff was introduced to Sikkim by his grand-father….who explored the area some 40-50 years before and thru stories told to his grandson made him take up the effort of writing this wonderful book.

[Kumar Gaurav · Rating 1 out of 5]

∆ Author has a anti- India bias. Has ill knowledge of history and geo-politics.

∆ Fails or deliberately refrains Chinese annexation of Tibet and oppression of Tibetians ( as he questions relationship of Sikkim with India ).

∆ Author hails from UK. Has he forgot British plunder, oppression in Indian Subcontinent and around world, or he just chooses to ignore vices of his countrymen and preaches morality to others!

[Boipoka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dithered between 2 and 3 stars, but ultimately decided to round up - after all this is the first book I have finished in a long time. It held my attention - and for that it deserves praise. There were good things about the book, but there were also a *lot* of frustrating things.

On the pro-side, the book covers the geopolitical intrigue in 1970s Himalayas pretty well. WikiLeaks is an absolute treasure trove of information, and the author took full advantage of it. He also made an effort to consult sources on all sides of the affair - to provide a well rounded picture of events. The private letters of the two Scotswomen provided an unique insight into the events, that's not usually available. In fact, for the first half of the book I thought this would be a 4 or 5-star.

However, there were a few niggling issues which soured me on the book.

The first was a throwaway footnote about how locals had told the author about being bribed to attend an anti-Chogyal demonstration. I had no problem believing that happened (especially given the fact that I know people in modern India who have been paid to attend political rallies). But then he added something about an intelligence agent "nearby Halflong". See, the thing is, Halflong is 900+ kms away from Gangtok - it is *not* nearby. These are the tiny things that make me doubt everything else the author might have to say.

There's another part near the end of the book where the author mentions "the southern Tamil stateS" - plural. What Tamil stateS? There is, and was, only one - Tamil Nadu. If the author meant the Dravidian States but said Tamil, then it makes me wonder - how much does he actually know about India? The acknowledgement gave me the impression he went from knowing nothing about India to writing a book about India in 3 years ... I had expected deeper immersion/knowledge.

And finally, I did not like the way the book ended. Too many threads were left unresolved. What happened to Princess Coocoola? Did she just lie down and accept Sikkim's (and Tibet's) fate? She didn't seem to be that sorta woman. When (and why) did Sonam Yongda become a monk? I would expect him to be by his king's side till the bitter end - but it seems like he got out of jail and walked back to his monastery. Doesn't make any sense. Then the author mentions the Chogyal's financial difficulties - but doesn't detail how his wife and children, spread across two of the most expensive cities in the western world, were able to support themselves during this period. Just, way too many questions for me to be satisfied with the book ...

[Aditya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sikkim was a fairy tale land ruled by its Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and Gyalmo Hope Cook.
In the midst of the Cold war and the Growing tension between India and China, the Geo political nature of Sikkim, then a protectorate under India became Significant which was the easiest access to the Tibetan Capital Of Lhasa and the Strategic Siliguri Chicken neck corridor of India. It featured in the talks of world leaders like Chairman Mao, Henry Kissinger, Zulfikar Bhutto and Chou en Lai.
The then Chogyal put all his effort to maintain the distinct identity of Sikkim as an Independent Nation and even trying to garner International Support and Recognition. But treachery, ploy and circumstances led to the absorption of the Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim into the Indian Union on 16 May, 1975.Watch as the Story unfolds and how Sikkim was played as a pawn by the then Indian Leadership and Intelligence Agencies

[Preethi Govindarajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The book is very colorfully written and the recent history of Sikkim as written in this book reads like an exciting film, so I got through it quite quickly. I was painfully unaware about Sikkim's monarchy and creation before this. My only tiny gripe would be that it lends itself to a certain colonial bias which could be removed with other voices being written about as well.

[Jigme505 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has enabled me to re-connect with my heritage as someone from the Himalayan region. The historical context of what was at stake and what could have happened, shed light on the fragile state and need for careful maneuvering of small countries, sandwiched between two post-colonial nations eager to flex their new found power and freedom.

I feel like I’ve never really appreciated the forefathers of my country enough for maintaining sovereignty of Bhutan in the midst of all the uncertainties. This book serves as a great reminder that things could have been very different.

I’d definitely recommend this book.

[Abhiram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The history behind how Sikkim became the 22nd State of the Indian union. Our books taught us that it was a peaceful affair, and on popular demand of the common people of Sikkim, who rose against their 'despotic' ruler, the Chogyal. But is that it?

The author paints a totally different picture, based on in-depth research of several official documents. And I must admit, my heart did skip multiple beats as I read through this book. Especially in the second half, where the reader is hurled headlong into a situation changing at a maddening pace, both within Sikkim and outside.

[Sherab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic vindication of Thucydides’ maxim, “the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.” A skillfully told story that plucks at the hearts of the readers who can commiserate yet offers stark lessons in statesmanship to the leaders of lesser nations.

[Vipul Murarka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never thought that I would read a book that will be non-fiction but will seem like fiction. That is Sikkim: A requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom for you. It has been wonderfully written by Andrew Duff who has a connection with this state which made him go to Sikkim to find out its story.

This book is a classic example of one that could be made into a movie. It has all the essence of a movie – Love Story, Patriotism, Politics, Religion, Dominance of two big Nations, war, peace, communal riots – I can go on and on. The book features all of this and yet it is in the nonfiction category.

Probably many of us would know about India’s annexation of Sikkim, but what all was happening during that time in this Himalayan state is usually masked from us. This book throws a light exactly about that. I am not sure what made me pick this book. I was not too much interested in knowing the history of this state, neither have I been there nor do I have any connection with Sikkim. But I am glad that I was able to read this beautiful biography of Sikkim and learnt so many things about the state, about India at the time after independence.

The best part of the book for me is that after reading the book, you will realize that no one was actually wrong –
1) Thondup (the king of Sikkim at that time) wanted to keep the essence of his country intact from
a. the influx of primarily Hindu immigrants from Nepal so that that Buddhism didn’t get lost;
b. the invasion of China which doesn’t follow any religion and if China takes over Sikkim, there will not be any religion practiced in Sikkim too;
c. From India which had recently become democratic country and was guarding the borders where China meets Sikkim. Thondup wanted to limit the involvement of Indians till guarding the borders only.
2) India – which was least interested in the beginning to annex Sikkim but due to geopolitical situation was forced to manipulate and play dirty so that Sikkim became a part of India. While I too felt that what Indira Gandhi and others had done at that time was not correct, but in order to save the nation from Chinese invasion, they had to annex Sikkim. How they did it is of course debatable but from India’s perspective it was for a larger good.
3) Kazi – Opponent of Thondup who was played at the hands of Indians to bring democracy to the state and was then later outplayed by politics

No one was right and no was wrong. Things just kept on unfolding and soon one realizes that annexation of Sikkim was inevitable. Along with India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, there are other nations who also take the center stage in this well-researched book – The US (which has something or the other to do with every country on the planet), The UK and the USSR.

In this book, Andrew Duff has skilfully weaved together various strands of the unfolding drama in Sikkim to produce a page-turner. I recommend that every Indian should read about the tragic story of Sikkim and share their perspective of who was right and wrong. This beautiful piece of work needs to be promoted more.

[Roopesh Kohad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a gripping chronicled tale of a beleaguered king of a small himalayan kingdom. The story is tragic in the sense that a small state bounded by giants got exhumed by bigger neighbour and will slowly become same as the whole. Having visited the state recently, could relate to lot of places which I happen to visit. The larger, ruthless could not leave a small state left on its own.

[Michal Thoma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the story of Sikkim as independent nation is long time closed, the topic still attracts the numbers of writers and readers alike. Also the recent accession of Crimea to Russia was appropriated to Sikkim case, making the issue actual again.

The Andrew Duff book is written in fresh, entertaining and scholarly way. Main advantage of the book is that it uses original and direct sources. The other strength of the book is that it cover wider geopolitical image in which the Sikkim issue is played.

The book is not free of less important factual errors (Mustang is quite far from Sikkim, almost 300 miles, Birendra is grandson of Tribhuvuan,the king who started first Nepali democratic experiment, Birendra's father Mahendra actually staged a coup against the democracy). Also book is often repetitive. It's a question if the reader of such book really need to be hinted, that Heinrich Harrer is author of Seven Years in Tibet, but definitely it's not necessary to repeat that for 3 times.

Also in my opinion the basic understanding of conflict, that enlightened benign ruler is being constantly harassed by Nepali immigrant political parties which finally triggers the country absorption by India is both stereotypical and wrong. The fight of Nepali residents for the equality was both legitimate and grossly democratic and the Chogyal's rule was maybe benign but also unjust and inept. Nepali formed the opposition against chogyal mostly for the fact they were majority of the residents and they were more educated and politically agitated. Actually who was politically active in Sikkim in that time was either member of traditional gentry or Nepali.

Also the one important fact the book misses is that the Sikiim actually lost most if it's factual sovereignty even before the British left India. Comparison to Bhutan would clearly show how the ruling family of Sikkim was unattached to their country (it's totally impossible to imagine prolonged stays in the West for Bhutanese king or his departure for religious refuge during his rule). Sikkim actually allowed foreigners to take over the bureaucracy while in Bhutan, foreigners could have maximum advisory role. In this sense Sikkim was gradually loosing it sovereignity well over the whole 20th century simply because of convenient reluctance and inability to rule of both chogyal Tashi and Thondub.

In any case the book is really great and interesting reading with lot of information which anyone interested in Himalyan history would definitely appreciate.

[Shanth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caught my eye in a book store in Kolkatta only because I had discussed plans with a friend for a trip to Sikkim. It is definitely an interesting book in terms of the geo political significance of the region, Sikkim's relationship with Tibetan leadership, the ethnic make up of the region and lastly how the Indian establishment controlled and influenced the outcome of its politics in the peak of the Cold War. Also interesting is the fact that such a tiny little state was talked about in the White House, in Beijing and even in the House of Commons.

The book doesn't grip with a narrative flourish but anyone with an interest in the history of India will find this a good read.

[Tarun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite having spent over four years in Sikkim, I knew precious little about this charming little corner of India. It is so easy to fall in love with Sikkim. This book introduced me to the last chapter in its history as an independent 'Shangri-La'. Parts of it read like a turbulent, post-colonial fairy tale with a colorful cast that includes scheming landlords, wily diplomats, sneaky spies, beautiful princesses, monks who are also palace guards, a handsome king and an all-American girl who becomes a Himalayan Queen.

[Ajitabh Pandey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent investigative journalism effort. The author has been successfully able to neutrally put all point of views in this book regarding the sensitive topic of Sikkim's merger in India. Usually such accounts are biased towards one side or another, but this is a very good piece of work.

I am glad I found this book.

[Yash Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sikkim : A Story
--------------------------
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

- Gautam Buddha


Sikkim, Requiem for a himalayan kingdom, is a very well written book on a topic which in India very few people are aware of.

For the detailed review of this book you can visit my website - https://dontbignorant.in/sikkim-requi...

[Sajith Kumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sikkim is the small bulge on India’s Himalayan border on the north of West Bengal. Unlike the British provinces and native states that acceded to India in 1947, Sikkim maintained its distinct status as a protectorate of India. The administration and defence of the state was controlled by Indian officials, but the traditional ruler known as Chogyal commanded respect and obedience from his subjects. However, the Chogyal possessed only limited constitutional authority, quite unlike Bhutan which retained its sovereignty under some obligations to India on defence and foreign policy. In the 1950s, the crown prince who in effect handled the Chogyal’s privileges began to get upset over the disparity with Bhutan as its ruling family was dynastically related to the Chogyal. He maneuvered for more space for himself in the state’s administration. He highlighted Sikkim’s political status in international forums which caused immense embarrassment to India. With Chinese military aggression in 1962, the northern border suddenly became very critical to India. As the Chogyal’s manipulations increased, popular protests for democracy assumed violent manifestations. With tacit support from India, the pro-democracy factions managed to gain limited power in the state. But the frequent clashes of the popular leaders with the Chogyal put impassable obstacles in the state’s progress. Finally, upon a request from the popular assembly, India militarily intervened. Chogyal’s bodyguards were disarmed, he was placed under house arrest and Sikkim was integrated into the Union of India. This book tells this story with a sympathetic view of the Chogyal. Andrew Duff is a freelance journalist based in London and Scotland who writes on India and other subjects. He travels frequently throughout India and East Asia.

Sikkim’s ruler was traditionally submissive to colonial masters. The British had made a permanent presence in Sikkim from the 1890s. The ruling family adopted many elements of the imperial system and the lifestyle that went with it. Young princes were encouraged to develop an understanding of the British way of life. They all had English governesses who recreated British social life in Sikkim. The Chogyal was very popular with Europeans passing through Sikkim on purposes of travel, mountaineering, geology or plant-hunting. They frequently got invitations from the palace and dined with the ruler and his consort. They were fascinated by the combination of simple lifestyle and complex religious beliefs of the people set against the awe-inspiring beauty of the landscape. Sikkim’s aristocrats made it a habit to educate their children in England or prestigious British institutions in colonial India. Many of them married white women which made them more endearing to western travellers and media. Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal’s wife was an American girl who was seventeen years his junior.

The constitutional dilemma faced by Sikkim after the departure of the British was caused by large-scale immigration of people with Nepali ethnicity into the kingdom during British subjugation of the tiny Himalayan state. Even though the British established political supremacy over the Chogyal by virtue of their military muscle, they could not get enough manpower from among the native Bhutia and Lepcha communities to which the Sikkim aristocracy belonged. The British then sought out Nepali Hindus to settle in Sikkim and associate with public works designed for better integration with India. Sikkim was admitted to Indian Chamber of Princes in 1935. By the 1940s, Nepali Hindus constituted 75 per cent of the population that outnumbered the Buddhist Bhutias and Lepchas 3 to 1 even though the latter remained the ruling minority. Nepalis were excluded from all walks of state power. With increase in political awareness formed by exposure to freedom struggle in the neighbouring towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the Nepalis formed the Sikkim State Congress and demanded accession to India. The Chogyal refused to have any truck with them. Even when democratic reforms were reluctantly introduced, it put the indigenous communities on equal parity in the number of reserved seats to the Nepalis. Their protests, which sometimes turned violent, prompted India to intervene. However, the author argues that public unrest was planned and orchestrated by India to forcibly annex the kingdom. After China’s occupation of Tibet and its war with India in 1962, having a firm grip on Sikkim had become highly strategic for India.

The book is indebted to people in the Chogyal’s inner circle for much of the information. But readers find him to be a profligate spender who used to travel extensively in Europe and America with family for purely personal reasons. He believed that the state and its resources belonged to him without accountability to anyone. In the 1950s and 60s, he indulged in conscious effort to assert his independence from India that troubled the relations with her. After his coronation in 1965 on the death of his father, Thondup Namgyal changed the usual title of Maharaja and Maharani to the traditional Chogyal and Gyalmo, emphasizing Sikkim’s distinctness. Hope Cooke, his American wife, muddled waters by writing an article in the Tibetology Institute’s magazine questioning the annexation of Darjeeling to India in British times and wanted the town back. A more odious challenge came in 1968, on India’s Independence Day celebrations in Gangtok. A group of Sikkimese school children went on a procession asking Indians to get out of the state and demanded full independence. Discrete interviews were arranged by the royal couple to prominent international journals to stress the liberation of Sikkim from Indian yoke. However, the people rose up in revolt at the blatant disregard of the Chogyal towards their wishes. The resultant flood of discontent swept away the his throne.

The book also describes the measures taken after annexation to remove the legacy of Chogyal. The family’s name was removed from the titles of prestigious institutes in the state. Palace budget was slashed to a quarter of the original. The ruler had raised a private militia called Sikkim Guards to protect his person and the palace. India withheld the money allocated to the contingent. The Chogyal ineffectively struck back by raising allegations in press conferences held in Kolkata and Kathmandu where he had visited in connection with the coronation of King Birendra of Nepal. The author alleges that India freely distributed money, promised promotions and threatened when the first two options proved unyielding. Anyway, he is able to cite only people who did not want to identify themselves as the source of information. India conducted a plebiscite to test the acceptability of Sikkim’s annexation. 63 per cent of the eligible voted and among them 97 per cent supported the integration and removal of the Chogyal. This was the same percentage of votes obtained by the ruling party in elections held in the previous year. But the author claims that the polls were rigged.

Though having only a peripheral relation to the main narrative, one notable fact is Nehru’s bungling in crucial matters of international policy, landing the country in serious trouble. A delegation of Sikkim’s popular leaders had met Nehru in 1948 itself requesting the state’s accession to India. But Nehru’s response surprised them. He told them not to push for accession as it may lead to adverse international opinion that India coerced the small states unnecessarily. Instead, he asked them to grow according to their own genius (p.36). Nehru’s pusillanimity on Tibet was unpardonable. Perhaps he might not have been able to prevent China’s taking over, but the saddest fact is that he did not even try. Right in 1947, Sardar Patel felt that India should continue to support the autonomy of Tibet to keep it as a vital buffer against China. But Nehru rejected this line of thought. His vision was for a pan-Asian federation, with China and India as close partners in a post-imperial world. He feared that India’s strong commitment to Tibet would cause unnecessary tensions with China (p.39-40). So he sat back and impotently watched China walking into and annexing Tibet. The Tibetans turned to India for help in the form of a modest quantity of arms and ammunition for resistance groups. But Nehru refused, as he did not want to be seen as siding with the USA against China (p.42). In spite of obvious inimical signs from China, Nehru sheepishly tried to please them. In 1952, he downgraded India’s representation in Tibet to a consul-general, conceding that Tibet’s foreign relations were controlled by China. Two years later, India withdrew its military escort in the Chumbi Valley, which is the tri-junction between Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet and handed the dak bungalows there over to the Chinese (p.53). It is ironic to remember that China’s incursions in 2017 were along this route!

Duff exhibits a hostile attitude to India throughout the text. This leads to absurd inconsistencies on a few occasions. He claims that another book critical of India, titled ‘Smash and Grab – Annexation of Sikkim’ is banned in India, but then retracts it in a footnote saying that ‘it is not banned, but cleverly sidelined by the authorities’. How can a government sideline a book displayed for sale in a bookstall or for lending in a library? As is typical of haughty European writers, clichés like flickering electric lamps and peeling paint in Indian buildings are scattered here and there in the narrative. There are many photographs that mainly show the personal life of Thondup Namgyal, but nothing of interest in the political front is seen. The book is easy to read, but a distinct feeling of relying too much on unverifiable hearsay cannot be shaken off.

The book is recommended.

[Kezang Choden · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me quite long to finish this book (6 days) because I kept repeating the sentences, flipping over to stare at the pictures and the cover photograph, and Googling some of the historical events mentioned I wanted to know more about. It was a thoroughly researched book and brilliantly written too, with words that captured both political and aesthetic nuances of the situation in Sikkim and the Palace in Gangtok from 1940 to 1990. Every move Sikkim made in the wake of post-colonialism Indian independence, revolutionary Maoism in China and the Chinese takeover of Tibet looked precarious and I couldn't help being amazed at the then leaders of Bhutan for, unlike Sikkim successfully transitioning Bhutan into the International community as an Independent nation. It also made me startlingly aware of what effects the withdrawal of British had on these Himalayan countries. It was like what would happen if humans were to suddenly disappear from the face of earth. Although a big nuisance to the earth, if humans were to suddenly disappear there would be a catastrophe. All the nuclear power plants that needed humans to monitor would collapse and explode, all the cars and trains in motion would collide resulting in more explosions etc. When British went home, it left behind a vast political complexity that the now free Himalayan countries would have to solve on their own amid a vacuum of higher power that had previously had an indestructible hold although unwelcome.
My heart broke for the small Himalayan kingdom, not so different from my own in terms of culture and religion, and for the 'endearingly shy with a slight stammer' king of Sikkim for his endless struggles until his death in 1982.
I now fully grasp the importance and contextual origin of the phrase so often used to describe Bhutan that we tend to take it for granted: The Last Shangrila. After Sikkim, Bhutan really is the last surviving Shangrila on Earth. It makes me feel proud, sad, and fearful.
Deserving of all the fuss, we should (all) read this book at least once.

[Tashi wangmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last King of Sikkim could not get the world to understand that small can be beautiful. As Sikkim's state of independence came to a fall it was evident that Sikkim was significant enough to be discussed about by the rest of the world but not significant enough to be acted upon. He was told he was being idealistic but he remained intact to his belief till the end. "he was intoxicated by his passion for his land and his people" were his close friend Rustomji words published after the monarch passed away. But I stand with his ideals that small can be beautiful. His ideals were found to be impractal only because the rest of the world had accepted deep within that it is right for the great to take over the small. The truth can be easily overlooked when the majority believes in the false. I recommend this book if you are interested in history. It's is about Sikkim a country which was closely tied to our country Bhutan, in terms of religion and geopolitics. Reading this book as a Bhutanese myself left me eternally grateful to our far-sighted Monarchs who took meticulous decisions at the right time which enabled us to stand in the the modern days stand as an independent country between two powerful country. Sikkim's history of a fairy tale kingdom long gone could have been easily our story.

[Anne Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating story, an account that is extremely rich in details, on a small piece of land that should have never been on the headlines but did because of its strategic location between India and China, the rivalry between both and their geostrategic context, when Indira Gandhi was one of the most important historic figures of her times and the Cold War great game calculations. But that should not put the Chogyal's tragic figure back in the background, when he was front and center of Sikkim's right to independence and ultimately trying to chart a path of its own at a moment that was not right in History. His sister and his American wife, Indians sent to help / tame / cajole / manipulate / submit him but also his formidable opponents complete an exceptional characters' gallery that makes for an intriguing story and a great book with a Shakespearesque intrigue that anyone interested in places on the Subcontinent, that most fail to pinpoint on a map, should definitely read.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it - a very interesting story about the annexation of Sikkim within India- and politics of the time - US/China/India -and perfidious Albion of course cutting and running away from consequences of colonialism (you can just imagine Boris de Pfiffle and his ilk condescending like mad) - but I would have liked to know more about what life was like for the average Sikkimese - and not just the royal family. Fascinating politics - writing style a bit odd at times for instance the Chogyals's wife is always called 'Hope Cooke'- when everyone else is referred to by 1 name, and there is only one Hope!

[Arun · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a recent visit to Sikkim, I got interested in exploring the history and culture of this place. This book by Andrew Duff was good coverage of the history of Sikkim from under the British , pre-Indian-Independence, to the post-Indian-Independence journey of Sikkim culminating in the annexation of Sikkim by India. Duff's writing style is very engaging and this book gave a good overview of all the main characters, their motivations and the twists and turns through the decades. It's fascinating that the geographic position of this tiny piece of land resulted in so many interests in the region. Enjoyed the book thoroughly!

[Saket Suman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom tells the remarkable tale of Thondup Namgyal, the handsome last King of Sikkim, and his young and beautiful American wife, Hope Cooke, thrust unwittingly into the spotlight as they sought support for Sikkim's independence after their “fairytale” wedding in 1963. But as tensions between India and China spilled over into war in the Himalayas, Sikkim became a pawn in the Cold War in Asia during the 1960s and 1970s. Andrew Duff's highly researched and accessible account gives an insight into the last days of the then independent Sikkim. The book shifts seamlessly between insights into Asia's geopolitics and the inside story of Sikkim's last king and his American wife.
Indira Gandhi had proven her strength after winning the Bangladesh War in 1971 and the questions about her heroism, if any, were fast sidelined both in the country and abroad soon after India successfully conducted the nuclear test in 1974. It was also the Cold War era and the foreign policies of India, China and the US were reshaping the political alignments in South Asia. In response to the US's growing association with China, India signed a friendship treaty with Moscow and all of a sudden the then unknown land of Sikkim, so small that “in most atlases, the space is not even big enough to hold the six letters of Sikkim's name”, acquired an immensely prominent political profile in international relations during the Cold War.
Meanwhile, Sikkim was fast pushing for complete independence its relation with Bhutan and Nepal, both of which were independent, was also developing. The three Himalayan kingdoms, Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim seemed to speak on similar terms and their friendship was growing fast. In 1975, “Chogyal” of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, attended King Birendra's coronation in Nepal thereby increasing the tension about the state of affairs in the Himalayas in New Delhi.
Indira Gandhi feared that Sikkim might show tendencies to become independent and become a United Nations (UN) member like Bhutan did in 1971. The independence of Sikkim, Mrs Gandhi thought, was an open invitation to China to set up an embassy there and with the strategic importance that Sikkim held in respect to India's frontiers even the thoughts of a Chinese embassy in Sikkim dreaded the officials in New Delhi.
"Thondup arrived back in Gangtok utterly dejected, bitter and angry about the way he had been treated in Delhi. During his thorough examination of the documents while in the Capital, he and his legal advisers had noticed that one clause Clause 30 of the new Act seemed to have been designed to allow for intervention in his country, by stating that ‘the Sikkim Government may…seek participation and representation for the people of Sikkim in the political institutions of India’. He still found it hard to believe that Mrs Gandhi would actually allow for the clause to be used, even if, as Thondup knew was likely, the Kazi had made the request."
Thondup, the Chogyal of Sikkim then wrote to Indira Gandhi, expressing his “strong objections to any step that might damage Sikkim's international identity and affect relations with India” but the reply came almost after a month, that too from the foreign minister, Swaran Singh, which said the Indian government was “looking into the legal and constitutional implications”.
"On 29 August, the day after Thondup received Swaran Singh's letter, the reason for these delays and obfuscations became clear. Listening to a late-night news bulletin on All India Radio, Thondup and his adviser Jigdal Densapa could hardly believe their ears. The report stated that Mrs Gandhi intended to introduce an “Amendment Bill” to the Indian Constitution in the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, with the aim of converting Sikkim into what was being termed an 'associate state'. Thondup was stunned. It seemed he was expected to believe that, only six short days after Swaran Singh had said they were looking into 'the legal and constitutional implications', a draft Bill had been prepared and parliamentary time had been found for it to be discussed."
After the 97 per cent strong result of the referendum, the Indian government presented a Bill in the Parliament to make Sikkim a "constituent unit of India", making it the 22nd state in the Indian Union. In less than two weeks’ time from the referendum, the Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha and then by the Rajya Sabha, three days later.

"The speed with which these events took place," Duff wrote, "left little doubt that the whole process had been a long time in planning."

Finally the roaring Indian army trucks climbed the steep streets of Gangtok and the 5,000 strong Indian force subdued the palace guards in less than 30 minutes and thus marked the end of Sikkim as an independent state.
In 1922 Andrew Duff's grandfather had made a remarkable journey into the former Buddhist kingdom of Sikkim. Walking hundreds of miles, Duff retraced his steps and combining his discoveries with interviews and archive research, his book now presents this thrilling, romantic and informative glimpse into this fairy-tale kingdom that survived the end of the British Empire only to be incorporated in the India union in 1975. "This tiny piece of land, no more than 70 miles by 40 miles,"Duff mentions in the introduction of the book, "has dominated my life for five years."

First published in Beyond Books, The Statesman.
http://www.inkstreet.in/2016/02/the-f...

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

The remarkable story of Thondup Namgyal, the handsome last king of Sikkim, and his young and beautiful American queen, Hope Cooke, as they seek support for Sikkim's independence after their wedding in 1963. Makes me think of my own little country which was a kingdom too until recently, and the roles the giant neighbors like India and China play in the events that happen in and around the tiny himalayan kingdoms. Long live Nepal, Jay Desh Jay Naresh.

[Tshering · Rating 5 out of 5]

I visited Sikkim in 2018 and didn't know the story behind. However, going through this book made me see the sad and at the same time a beautiful story of the Prince Chogyal Thondup Namgyel. Wonderful gripping History of Sikkim, of its last King and his american queen Hope Cooke.
The final chapter was interesting when the guard of Chogyal, Yongda states that he still awaits for the independence of Sikkim at which the lights goes off and he states that India is not happy with his remarks :)

[Barun Ghimire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some stories are told in a way that makes you feel that its the only way it could be told. The book is informative and beautiful; it flows like a movie in mind. This book has everything in it to attract all sort of readers. Above all this is a heartbreaking story about a loss of a nation. This book is on top of my list of recommended book.

[Waldimar Pelser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb and highly readable history of the Namgyal dynasty's fight for independent status for their tiny Himalayan kingdom, and Indira Gandhi's seizure of the territory for India in 1975. It was, one is lead to believe, always inevitable. But Duff shows that India is not always the friendly giant so many in the West like to believe it is and has always been.

[Uthra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a poignant portrayal of one leader's struggle to establish an independent identity for his country. Traversing through the political events since Indian independence, the author gives a detailed account of the events leading upto Sikkim's accession to India.
The book is a must read for any history buff trying to understand the circumstances under which it came to be part of India.

[Stephanie Guyer-Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and sad exploration of the fall of Sikkim, one of the last Buddhist Kingdoms, and its absorption by India, and all the paranoid overreach that was involved in that maneuver. Very worthwhile read.

[Neer Varshney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that summarizes various aspects related to the annexation of Sikkim by India, including showing the actions of all involved that ultimately resulted to this. Who was at fault? May be everyone was.

[Tim Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

An article in Time magazine published in 1959 observed that: “What happens in Tibet has always echoed in Sikkim.”

'Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom' begins as a simple travelogue in which the author embarks upon a trek through Sikkim to retrace the footsteps of his Grandfather, who had journeyed through the region in the 1920s, but a chance meeting with a monk at Pemayantse Monastery prompts Duff to delve deeper into the more recent history of this tiny former Himalayan kingdom. The compelling story which follows is essentially a political-biography of Sikkim’s 12th and last Chogyal (or King), Palden Thondup Namgyal, whose life was entirely dedicated to the struggle to maintain the semi-independent sovereignty of his native kingdom in the wake of the British withdrawal from empire in India in 1947.

In 1890, during the time of the British Raj, Sikkim had become a protectorate of the British Empire, a status which was nominally maintained after India gained independence and later affirmed in a treaty signed in 1950 with the Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. As a suzerain state, Sikkim remained administratively autonomous whilst transferring control of its external affairs, defence, diplomacy and communications to India. Yet Sikkim could not escape the ever looming shadow of ‘Great Game’ machinations which continued between its larger neighbouring states. Diplomatic relations between the USSR, India and China – particularly after the Chinese took control of Tibet in 1950 – continued to remain fragile, and this air of uncertainty only seemed to heighten the geopolitical anxieties concerning the somewhat nebulous mix of different ethnic polities which reside in what was still very much perceived to be a highly vulnerable Himalayan border zone. Unlike neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan, which were both able to establish their own independent sovereignty in the eyes of the international community, Sikkim was essentially out-manoeuvred by political forces operating both within and outside its borders.

A discontented faction within Sikkim itself – lead by the Kazi and Kazini, Sikkim’s Chief Minister and his indomitable Scottish wife – increasingly began to agitate against the power of the Chogyal, pressing for a more democratic system of government. The Chogyal, relying on the support of the Indian Government, initially resisted but eventually reluctantly conceded to certain changes which began a process that gradually eroded the political influence and control hitherto vested solely in the monarch. But, in the long run, each of these parties was essentially out-manoeuvred by the Indian Government, under Nehru’s daughter, Indira Gandhi, who essentially very carefully laid the groundwork for a coup which was later staged by the Indian military in 1975. A referendum followed suspiciously swiftly in which a majority reportedly seemed to be favour of Sikkim relinquishing its sovereignty to become a state within India proper. Even though the anti-Chogyal faction and the monarch managed to come to an agreement at the eleventh hour it was too late, each had fallen foul of the duplicity of Indira Gandhi’s officials operating within both Sikkim and Delhi.

Despite keeping a keen eye on the sequence of events and confusing political developments taking place within Sikkim, officials in the US and the UK could offer little beyond sympathetic platitudes, whilst China and Pakistan used the situation as a rhetorical lever, as and when it suited their purpose, either to condemn India or absolve their own parallel actions in other contested regions. Sikkim was sadly seen as simply too small a pawn in the international politics of the region for its former friends and allies to be of much help in preserving its autonomy. Whereas Tibet had lost its autonomy under duress by direct force, as Duff demonstrates, Sikkim had somewhat unwittingly been progressively hoodwinked by a war of political stealth and attrition.

Andrew Duff very ably reconstructs the machinations of this era using a variety of sources and archive material, drawing in particular on the richly personable papers of two westerners, both women missionary school teachers from Scotland, who each lived and worked for a number of years in Sikkim throughout this turbulent period, and both of whom were close to the Chogyal and his second wife, the American Hope Cooke. Their marriage was originally a glamorous, oriental fairy-tale romance, reminiscent of American actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco, but which eventually fractured under the personal and political strains of Sikkim’s struggle. Ultimately 'Sikkim: Requiem for a Himalayan Kingdom' is the story, engagingly told, of the tragedy which befell a colourful cast of individuals caught and completely churned over in the tumultuous wake of competing Cold War era leviathans thrashing out a new international order in the immediate post-colonial fallout of the mid-late twentieth century.

See my blog post for more, including newsreel footage