Sikkim, a small Himalayan kingdom nestled between India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, transitioned from a monarchy to India’s 22nd state on May 16, 1975. This marked the end of a 333-year rule by the Namgyal dynasty and a significant geopolitical shift in the region. The journey to statehood was shaped by historical, political, and strategic factors, culminating in a controversial yet decisive merger with India. Below is the story, divided into key phases, with subheadings to outline the progression.
Historical Roots: The Kingdom of Sikkim
Sikkim’s history as a distinct entity began in 1642 when Phuntsog Namgyal was crowned the first Chogyal (king) of the Namgyal dynasty, establishing a Buddhist monarchy. The kingdom, initially encompassing regions like the Chumbi Valley and Darjeeling, faced territorial conflicts with Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet in the 18th century, shrinking its boundaries. By the mid-19th century, British colonial interests in the Himalayas led to Sikkim’s integration into their sphere of influence. The Treaty of Tumlong in 1861 made Sikkim a British protectorate, granting the British control over trade routes and strategic areas like Darjeeling, while allowing the Chogyal to retain internal autonomy.
After India’s independence in 1947, Sikkim became a protectorate of India under the Indo-Sikkimese Treaty of 1950. India assumed responsibility for Sikkim’s defense, external affairs, and communications, while the Chogyal maintained internal governance. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru viewed Sikkim, alongside Nepal and Bhutan, as a buffer state against China, a perspective reinforced by China’s 1949 invasion of Tibet and subsequent tensions during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
Rising Tensions: Anti-Monarchy Movements and Political Instability
By the 1950s and 1960s, discontent brewed in Sikkim due to feudal inequalities and the Chogyal’s absolute rule. The growing Nepali migrant population, encouraged by the British and later India, shifted the kingdom’s demographic balance, creating ethnic and political tensions. The Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, resisted reforms, particularly those reducing his authority.
In 1973, anti-monarchy protests erupted, led by the Sikkim National Congress under Kazi Lhendup Dorji. Demonstrators, frustrated by the lack of democratic representation, surrounded the Chogyal’s palace, demanding reforms. The Chogyal, unable to control the situation, sought India’s intervention. Indian troops arrived, and a tripartite agreement was signed in May 1973 between the Chogyal, Indian officials, and Sikkim’s political parties, promising democratic reforms and closer ties with India.
The Push for Integration: Elections and Constitutional Changes
In April 1974, elections were held, and the Sikkim National Congress won a sweeping victory, securing 31 of 32 seats. The new government, led by Kazi Lhendup Dorji, passed the Government of Sikkim Act in May 1974, establishing a constitutional framework and aligning Sikkim closer to India. The Chogyal, Palden Thondup Namgyal, opposed these changes, particularly India’s move to designate Sikkim an “associate state” via the 35th Constitutional Amendment in February 1975, which granted Sikkim representation in India’s Parliament but curtailed the monarchy’s power.
The Chogyal called for a referendum to resolve the issue, hoping to preserve Sikkim’s autonomy. However, India’s strategic interests, heightened by Sikkim’s proximity to the Siliguri Corridor (the “Chicken’s Neck” connecting mainland India to its northeastern states), drove a different agenda. India feared that an unstable or independent Sikkim could be vulnerable to Chinese influence, especially after skirmishes at Nathu La in 1967.
The Referendum and Merger: A Controversial Climax
In April 1975, the situation escalated. Indian troops entered Gangtok, disarmed the Chogyal’s palace guards, and placed him under house arrest, with one guard killed and four injured. A referendum was held on April 14, 1975, asking voters whether Sikkim should abolish the monarchy and merge with India. The official results reported 97.5% in favor of the merger, with a turnout of about 59%. Kazi Lhendup Dorji, now Sikkim’s Chief Minister, cabled the results to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, urging swift action.
Critics, including the Chogyal and some international observers, questioned the referendum’s fairness. Reports suggested Indian troops, numbering 20,000–40,000 in a population of 200,000, influenced the process, and the ballot’s framing favored merger. China and Pakistan condemned the referendum as a “forced annexation,” while the U.S. viewed it as a pragmatic inevitability due to Sikkim’s strategic location. Indian journalist B.G. Verghese and others faced repercussions for questioning the process, with Verghese losing his job at the Hindustan Times.
On April 26, 1975, India’s Parliament passed the 36th Constitutional Amendment, repealing the associate state status and making Sikkim a full state. President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed ratified it on May 15, 1975, and on May 16, 1975, Sikkim officially became India’s 22nd state, with the monarchy abolished and Kazi Lhendup Dorji as its first Chief Minister.
Aftermath and Legacy: Sikkim’s Transformation
The merger ended the Namgyal dynasty’s rule, which had lasted since 1642. Sikkim’s integration brought significant development, including infrastructure like the Pakyong airport and rail links, often driven by India’s defense priorities due to Sikkim’s proximity to China. The state gained Indian citizenship for its residents through the Sikkim (Citizenship) Order of 1975, and special provisions under Article 371F of the Constitution preserved certain Sikkimese laws and protections.
However, the merger remains debated. Some view it as a democratic triumph, reflecting the people’s desire to end feudal rule and join India, as evidenced by the referendum’s outcome and subsequent socio-economic progress. Others, citing books like Sunanda Datta Ray’s Smash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim, argue it was orchestrated by Indian intelligence, with figures like NSA Ajit Doval allegedly playing a role. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai later called the merger “not desirable” but irreversible.
Sikkim Today: A Strategic and Cultural Hub
Today, Sikkim is India’s least populous state, with a population of about 540,000 and an area of 7,096 square kilometers. It is celebrated for its biodiversity, hosting over 5,000 plant species, and its strategic importance near the Siliguri Corridor and China’s border. May 16 is commemorated as Sikkim Statehood Day, reflecting on its integration into India. As Sikkim marked 50 years of statehood in 2025, leaders like Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge hailed its progress, though questions about the merger’s ethics linger.
Sikkim’s journey from a Himalayan kingdom to an Indian state encapsulates a complex interplay of democracy, strategy, and power, leaving a legacy that continues to shape its identity and India’s northeastern frontier.