Sikkim was a fairy tale land ruled by its chogyal palden thondup namgyal and gyalmo hope cook. Books are the great source of knowledge universally. Even in those few instances when the word annexation does come up, the general impression is of india peacefully acquiring a small pimple on its shoulder to satisfy a popular demand from the population to rid itself of a corrupt, almost tyrannical, ruler. Booked, but not read when the law is used for a private. Annexation of sikkim, has very succinctly stated about the mounting tension in the dokolam plateau. Smash and grab annexation of sikkim by sunanda k dattaray free mobi epub ebooks download. Sikkim after indian independence in 1947, when india became independent, a popular vote. Going to succeed with my technical startup some day. Annexation of sikkim, sunanda k dattaray, tranquebar press, rs 795, pp94 prajwal parajuly is the author of the novel, land where i flee subscribe. The books detailed dismantling of the conventional wisdom about a constitutional merger of sikkim raised several hackles. Long before londonbased journalist andrew duff wrote sikkim. Jul 25, 2012 the answer for first part of your question. 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. Dattaray has been a leading indian journalist for half a century.
The annexation of sikkim is a richly detailed account of every conceivable factor that led to the kingdom of sikkim being. I cringed when a fashionable greyhaired woman placed a glass of red wine shed just taken from indars butler on the pianos gleaming. The book summary and image may vary as per the binding and edition available of the same title. But the truth about the merger was made known to the world through the upright stand of one man. Mar 18, 2014 while the geopolitical dynamics are obviously vastly different, there are a few similarities to be found in indias annexation of sikkim and russias impending annexation of crimea. The book, originally published in 1984 and later reprinted in 20, attempted to shatter the longheld perception. Annexation of sikkim author of the book smash and grab. Countering chinas highaltitude land grab jun 15, 2017 brahma chellaney on average, china launches one uncontested incursion into indian territory every 24 hours, pursuing a strategy of territorial aggrandizement that, unlike in the maritime domain, rarely draws international ire. There is a sacred veil to be thrown over the beginnings of all government. Passionate about cricket, movies, tamil film music, hindi film music, chess. Srinath raghavan with ambassadors of bhutan in audience.
Lifting the sacred veil on sikkim business standard news. Awareness of important books and authors gk questions and answers that are frequently asked in many competitive exams for you to practice. The book was the outcome of the writers friendship with the then king of sikkim, chogyal palden thondup namgyal. The annexation of sikkim 1984 is based on his personal friendships with the king of sikkim and indian decision makers. While the geopolitical dynamics are obviously vastly different, there are a few similarities to be found in indias annexation of sikkim and russias impending annexation of crimea. The annexation of sikkim is a richly detailed account of every conceivable factor that led to the kingdom of sikkim being martially coopted into the indian republic, which was. Sikkim an untold story of annexation hues of a soul.
Sikkim had been a protectorate of india during the british colonial rule since the 19th century. This treaty signed between the maharaja of sikkim, sir tashi namgyal, and a representative of the indian government, recognized sikkim as a protectorate of india. I remembered when before the first gulf war when saddam hussein said he conducted an election and 99% of iraqi voted for him, it was immediately dismissed as ridiculous which it is. I cringed when a fashionable greyhaired woman placed a glass of red wine shed just taken from indars butler on the pianos. The arrangement was continued after indias independence through a treaty in 1950, by which india assumed responsibility for communications, defence and foreign affairs, as well as the territorial integrity of sikkim. Chinas annexation of tibet in 1951 is also a painful chapter in the tibetan history. But the history of sikkim goes back to 1642 when sikkim was not a part of india and was then an independent kingdom. Booked, but not read when the law is used for a private agenda. That charge must be levelled only at those who exploit wellintentioned laws to push a private agenda. Jan 28, 2014 but the book launch event of sunanda k.
Smash and grab annexation of sikkim by sunanda k dattaray. Sikkims defence, external affairs and communication requirements were to be looked after by india but the kingdom was to enjoy autonomy in regard to its internal affairs. Why and who was behind the sikkim annexation by india. Why this book on indias annexation of sikkim needs to be. By younita pandey smash and grab, as historians would call the annexation of sikkim as the 22 nd state of the indian union on 16 th may 1975, sikkim, today, is one of the fastest growing states in terms of gdp and education. They need not necessarily have read or bought the book. Statue of guru rinpoche, the patron saint of sikkim in namchi is the tallest statue of the saint in the world at 36 meters 120 ft. May 16, 2018 who planned the sikkim annexation by india. The sikkim national congress under the leadership of kazi lendhup dorji had been the government of indias greatest ally, for the kazi, while professedly practising nationalism, was so blatantly proindian that in sikkim political circles he. The annexation of sikkim was my primer on what became indias 22 nd state in 1975. In india, the event of sikkim becoming a part of the mother ship in 1975, if ever, is generally referred to as a merger. Mar 10, 2014 1984 smash and grab annexation of sikkim by dattaroy s. Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. It is for this cause that this day is celebrated as the sikkim day.
Describes the process of the annexation of the buddhist kingdom of sikkim by the indian government of indira gandhi in 1975. In my case, it goes even faster whenever i get to attend a literary event. Dawn of democracy i wonder if anyone here can recommend other books that were written by firsthand witnesses to the events of this era. Full text of smash and grab annexation of sikkim see other formats. The sikkim national congress under the leadership of kazi lendhup dorji had been the government of indias greatest ally, for the kazi, while professedly practising nationalism, was so blatantly proindian that in sikkim political circles he was known as the agent of the government of india. Jan 03, 2017 by younita pandey smash and grab, as historians would call the annexation of sikkim as the 22nd state of the indian union on 16th may 1975, sikkim, today, is one of the fastest growing states in terms of gdp and education. It was on 16 may 1975 that sikkim, indias least populous state officially became a part of india. Time flows faster when you begin loving things, it offers you. Countering chinas highaltitude land grab by brahma. Revered and erudite journalist sunanda kishore dattaray, author of smash and grab. Annexation of sikkim, first published in 1984, confirmed vergheses critical views on sikkim during this controversial period. Requiem for a himalayan kingdom in 2015, sunanda k. Knowing latest famous books and authors list is important for general knowledge. As the book described the process of the annexation of the kingdom of sikkim by the indian government of indira gandhi in 1975, as imperialism it was banned in india.
Dattaray, smash and grab annexation of sikkim, new delhi, 1984, pp. It was bad enough plonking a copy of smash and grab. Dattas was of a personal account of the experiences in the capacity of a journalist based in the area. Citing documents that have not been seen by any other writer, the book analyses law and politics with masterly skill to recreate the sikkim saga against the background of a twentieth century great game involving india and china.
But the history of sikkim goes back to 1642 when sikkim was not a part of india and was then an independent kingdom, ruled by the monarchs. Just another day being sikkimese mediation musings. Annexation of sikkim, the book that has had as turbulent a passage as sikkim itself, on the priceless piano in his smart picture gallery in londons connaught street. And as the title suggests, dattaray is far from sympathetic about how new delhi went about annexing the kingdom of the 12th chogyal, who was the authors close friend. Beijing sees the region along the indotibetan border as part of its own, even though tibet as an independent nation before being annexed recognised indias sovereignty over arunachal pradesh and other areas claimed by beijing as being part of southern. Hope cookes autobiography seems to be available on amazon too. After indian independence in 1947, when india became independent, a popular vote. Strictly speaking, india is not involved in todays dispute over the dokolam plateau where the chinese are said to claim 269 sq km of bhutanese territory. Smash and grab annexation of sikkim sunanda k dattaray tranquebar. We arent just proud of our rich culture, our giant mountains, sacred rivers and beautiful landscape. Expansionist india confessions of a supplyside liberal. In 1642 came under the rule of the chogyal dynasty. An alternative history questioned that concept of an inclusive indian nation.
He has been editor of the statesman calcutta and new delhi and has also written for the international herald tribune and time. Sikkim became the twentysecond state of the indian republic on 16 may 1975 and the monarchy that had ruled this himalayan kingdom for more than three centuries was abolished. Written in a forthright manner, it describes in detail palace intrigue, egos, politics and personal agendas of some leaders garbed under the guise of patriotism. The book launch was braced with the powerpacked presence of panelists like sir mark tully, sunanda k. Time to judge the chinese chicanery mainstream weekly. The history of sikkim, an area in presentday northeast india, began in 1642 as a kingdom established when india and nepal were still many princely states with many rulers at that time and had not unified to the. Check out our resources for adapting to these times. History materials on sikkim 19471975 history forum.