Dzongu...A Lepcha reserve

The protected state of the Dzongu area in the Northern confines of the erstwhile Mayel Lyang has ensured independent development and evolution of the Lepcha culture. There has been considerable influence of the latter day Buddhist traditions and the Gombu culture in the social life yet the central ethos of the residents remain more Lepcha as compared to those of the lepchas who have been exposed to newer cultures entering into the Himalayan state. Historically the Dzongu reserve has always been the estate of the Queen of the Kingdom of Sikkim.

According to Gorer (1938) it was ensured by the Maharajah of Sikkim by dint of a law that only pure blooded Lepchas could be landowners in Dzongu and also maintain purity in the native tribe. The erstwhile rulers of Sikkim were quite successful in making Dzongu a Lepcha land. Gorer noted “It is only in zongu and in one or two small villages outside the reserve that there is a homogenous Lepcha society, practically undisturbed by alien influence” (Gorer, 1938 reprinted 1987 pg 37)

The erstwhile rulers of Sikkim took certain measures to uphold the indigenous tribal status of the Lepcha. In 1956, Sir  Tashi Namgyal , the  then maharajah of Sikkim issued a proclamation that stated, inter alia, “the interest of the indigenous and backward people in the North Sikkim area require to be safeguarded.” He also proclaimed “the rules relating to the settlement and /or carrying on of any occupation in such areas by outsiders (non-indigenous) only on a permit issued by the Sikkim Darbar shall continue to hold force” (Proclamation of His Highness Tashi Namgyal, KCSI, KCIE Maharajah of Sikkim, dated August 1956). Following the proclamation, the Home department, government of Sikkim issued a notification stating that “It is hereby ordered that any outsider (non-indigenous) settling and /or carrying on any occupation in the prescribed areas without permit issued by the Sikkim darbar shall be liable to imprisonment upto 3 years and / or fine upto Rs.10000 in default imprisonment upto 6 months.” (Notification no.3069/OS)

LEPCHA HEROES-III

TENDOOK PULGER

This is another Lepcha hero who has been remembered by few but who has managed make a lasting effect in the annals of history. The Gazetteer of Sikkim clearly elaborates his family. Doobgye, his father, was the Jongpen of Barmie in Sikkim and had lead the Sikkimese army against the Nepalese in Nagari. Doobgye had also assisted some Major Latter to lay down the present boundary of Sikkim and Nepal. Doobgye’s second wife was Barfungputso from whom Tendook Pulger was born.

Tenduk Pulger had the good fortune to be born the nephew of another distinguished Lepcha, the Chebu Lama (Astrologer Lama); when the Chebu Lama died, in 1866, Tenduk Pulger inherited from him one third of his property, fifteen and a half square miles of land in the north-western part of Darjeeling District known as the Karmi Estate. He accompanied Sir R. Temple on his travels in Sikkim and he was made Tehsildar under the Deputy Commissioner of Darjeeling in 1875 which was followed by the post of Deputy Commissioner in 1878. The British impressed by his work and effort made him the Revenue Collector of Kalimpong Estate. During this time he also served as a tutor for Young Sidkeong Tulku who went to become the 10th Chogyal of Sikkim later

With his characteristic zeal he went on serving the British government and he was made the Manager of Khas Mals in 1885. The title of Raja was conferred on Tenduk Pulger by the British Raj for Intelligence services rendered during the brief Anglo-Tibet war of 1888, when the Derbyshire Regiment passed through Kalimpong on its way to the Jelep La.

In 1891, as Manager of Khas Mehals, Raja Tenduk organized an agricultural show, Kalimpong’s first, jointly with the Rev.Mr. Graham. So successful was it that, by 1893, it had expanded to include a beauty ompetition, not the beauty of the female form, though, but the beauty of national costumes, Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese.

He retired from active service and was rewarded for his services in the North East frontier with the grant of pension and estate in Darjeeling. He died in 1902.

LEPCHA HEROES-II

General Satrajeet or Changzed Chyokthup

Son of Changzod Karwang, the minister in the court of Gyurmed Namgyal and Phuntsog namgyal II during the early 18^th century in Sikkim. He is believed to have been descended from Thekong Tek himself through one Tasa Aphong who became a minister in the court of Tensung Namgyal the second chogyal of Mayel Lyang or Bras Ljongs.

In 1775-76 the Nepal King Pratap Singh Shah started making plans to invade Sikkim. Deb Tshang Rinzing Thakarpo and Changzed Chyokthop (Satrajeet) departed to stop the invaders from the western borders of the Kingdom. Changzed Chyokthup with his able guidance and shrewd tactics managed to defeat the advancing Gorkha forces at 17 battlefields in Morung now in Nepal. So severe were the defeats that the Gurkha forces retreated and the Nepal’s history remembers him as Satrajeet while his own Kingdom the present state of Sikkim does not even remember him.

He was a true hero with a sense of pure patriotism in Sikkim who without any hesitance went forward to protect the Kingdom from alien invasion. He did not have any personal agenda in the war and thus his sincerity paved the way for his 17 convincing victories over the Gurkhas while his comrade in arms Deb tshang Rinnzing was shot down in the battle of Chainpur.

He had only a daughter, married to Yapa-Tsi.suh of the Ta-karpo family, who thus became his adopted son; from them is descended the present Kazi family of Rhenock.