sikkim2

SIKKIM

The Namgyal Dynasty

GENEALOGY

Zhal-nga Guru Tashi. A descendant of King Thrisong Detsen (755-797) of Tibet, whose son ruled as Prince (Gyalpo) of State of Minyang [Kham-My-Nyank], in Eastern Tibet. He migrated southward after seeing a divine vision prompting to him to seek his fortune in Denzong (the valley of rice). He arrived in Sikkim with his five sons, including:

1) Se-shing.

2) Tsendong.

4) Jo-Khye Bumsa [Jho-vo-Khyed-hBum-bSags]. He received that name for helping to erect heavy pillars for thePhul-Pahi Lhakhang monastery being constructed by the Sakhya king. Settled in Phari, in the Chumbi Valley and became leader of the Bhutias, following the death of his father. Blessed by Thekong Tek, the Lepcha chief of Gangtok, who prophesied the rule of his descendants as kings of Sikkim. Entered into an alliance of brotherhood with him at Kabi Longstok. m. (first) Guru Mo-en, daughter of the Sakhya king. m. (second) a daughter of the Rong chieftain. He d. in Chumbi, having had issue, three sons:

a) sKya-bo-rab. Ancestor of the Yul-tenpa family. He had issue, including a son:
- i) Gyalpa A-chu.
b) Mi-tpon-rab. Succeeded his father as leader of the Bhutias. Installed as the reincarnate Guru Rimpoche. m. a daughter of the Sakhya king. He had issue, four sons (ancestors of the four principal clans of Sikkim, the Tondu Rus-Shi), including the fourth son:

i) Zhan-po-tar. Copyright© Christopher Buyers

ii) Tshes-bchu-tar. He had issue, five sons and one daughter.

iii) Nyi-ma Gyaspa.

iv) Guru Tashi. Succeeded his father as leader of the Bhutias. Settled in Gangtok. He had issue, three sons:

(1) Jowo Nagpo. Succeeded his father as leader of the Bhutias.

(2) Gyalpa A-pha. Succeeded his brother as leader of the Bhutias.

(3) Zhal-nga A-phag He had issue, a son:

(a) Guru Tenzing. Succeeded his uncle as leader of the Bhutias. He had issue, a son:

(i) Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Phuntso I Namgyal [Phun-tshogs rNam-rgyal I], 1^st Chogyal of Sikkim - see below.
c) gLang-mo-rab. Ancestor of the Linzepa family.

1642 - 1670 Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Phuntso Namgyal [Phun-tshogs rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim. b. at Gangtok, 1604, son of Guru Tenzing, a descendant of Guru Tashi. Succeeded his father as leader of the Bhutias. Selected as the first Chogyal of Sikkim by the three principal Tibetan Lamas, Lhatsun Chempo, Sempa Chempo and Rigzing Chempo, who had converted Sikkim to Lamist Buddhism. Consecrated at Norbu Gang, Yoksun, ca. 1642. Received the regalia of office from the Dalai Lama of Tibet, including a silken scarf with his seal, a mitre of Guru Rimpoche, the 'phurpa' and a precious coloured sand image of the guru. The northern border of his realm touched Thang La in Tibet, Tagong La near Paro in Bhutan in the east, Titalia on the borders of West Bengal and Bihar in the south, and Timar Chorten on the Timar river in Nepal in the west. He divided his kingdom into twelve Dzongs (districts) headed by Dzongpana (governors). m. a lady from an aristocratic Tibetan family. He also declared Mahayana Buddhism as the state religion. He d. at Yoksun, ca. 1670, having had issue, a son:

1) Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tensung Namgyal [bsTan-bSrung rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim - see below.

1670 - 1700 Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tensung Namgyal [bsTan- bSrung rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim. b. 1644, son of Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Phuntso Namgyal [Phun-tshogs rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim, educ. privately. Consecrated 1670. Removed his capital to Rabdanse. m. (first) Nyum-bi-enmo, from Tibet. m. (second) Deba-sam Serpa, from Tinki-jong. m. (third) Yo-yo-hang, daughter of Yong-Yong Hang, a Limbu Chief from the Arun Valley. He d. at Rabdanse Palace, 1700, having had issue, a son and a daughter:

1) Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Chhagdor Namgyal [Phyag-rDor rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim (s/o Deba-sam Serpa) - see below.

2) Shalno Guru (s/o Yo-yo-hang).

1) Princess (Semla) Pendi Wangmo. b. before 1686 (d/o Nyum-bi-enmo). Built the Tashiding Monastery. Claimed the throne on account of her seniority in age. m. Ngah-bDag-Rin-Chhen-mGon. She was k. (strangled to death by a silk scarf) for her part in the killing of her half-brother, 1717.

2) Princess (Semla) Pendi Tchering Gyenu (d/o Yo-yo-hang). m. a member of the Nam-Tsang-Korpa family.

1700 - 1716 Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Chhagdor Namgyal [Phyag-rDor rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim. b. 1686, son of Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tensung Namgyal [bsTan-srung rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim, by his second wife, Deba-sam Serpa, educ. privately. Succeeded his father 1700, educ. privately. Fled to Tibet with Yungthing Yeshe, one of his father's ministers, after the return of his half-sister. Became a novice and distinguished himself in Buddhist teachings and Tibetan poetry, literature and astrology. Appointed as State Astrologer to the 6^th Dalai Lama, who granted him an estate in Lhasa with magisterial rights and other high honours. Returned to Sikkim later in life and expelled the Bhutanese invaders, but lost the South-eastern districts permanently as a result of extensive Bhutanese settlement. Built the Guru Lhakhang Tashiding ca. 1715, invented an alphabet, patronised places of worship, religious dances and mystery plays. m. Lho Gyalma, a lady from U, in Tibet. He was k. (his physician having severed a collateral artery) at the Ralang Hot Springs by the adherents of his half-sister 1716, having had issue, a son:

1) Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Gyurmed Namgyal [rGyur-Med rNam-gyal], Chogyal of Sikkim - see below.

Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Chhagdor Namgyal, also had another son by the wife of his minister, Tasa A-phong:

2) Yuk-thing Arub.

1716 - 1733 Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Gyurmed Namgyal [rGyur-Med rNam-gyal], Chogyal of Sikkim. b. 1707, son of Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Chhagdor Namgyal [Phyag-rdor rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim, by his wife, Lho Gyalma, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father 1716. Crowned, 1717. Reigned under the regency of the Lama Jigme Pao, during his minority. m. 1721 (div.), … (d.s.p.), the youngest daughter of the Abbot of Mingdoling, in Tibet. He d. 1733, apparently without issue, but it was soon announced that a nun in Sangna Cholling was enchante with his child, who was duly born (Phuntsog Namgyal). A local governor, Chandzod Tamding, refusing to recognise the child's royal parentage, proclaimed himself Raja, and ruled for some years before he was expelled by supporters of the child Phuntsog together with Tibetan help. Phuntsog was subsequently installed as the fifth Chogyal after a Regency headed by a Tibetan envoy, Rabden Sharpa.

1733 - 17xx interregnum under Chandzod Tamding, who refusing to recognise the royal parentage of Phuntso II Namgyal, proclaimed himself ruler. Expelled by Rabden Sharpa, an officer of the Tibetan government and the supporters of the infant prince.

176x - 1780 Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Phuntso II Namgyal [Phun-tshogs rNam-rgyal II], Chogyal of Sikkim. b. posthumously, at Ang-nye-khi-sa, 1733, the reputed son of Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Gyurmed Namgyal ['Gyur-med rNam-gyal], Chogyal of Sikkim, by a nun in the Sanga Cholling, daughter of Neer-Gahden, of the Tak-chhungtar family, educ. at Lhasa, Tibet. Formally consecrated as Chogyal at the Yoksum Monastery. Reigned under the regency of Rabden Sharpa. Lost much territory to Nepal and Bhutan. Established his capital at Tumlong. m. (first) Angel (d.s.p.), daughter of Raden Sher-pa, the Regent. m. (second) a daughter of Deba Shamsher Khiti Phukpa. m. (third) a daughter of Pishti-Tergyen, of U, in tibet. He d. at Tumlong Palace, 1780, having had issue:

1) Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tenzing Namgyal [bsTan-'dzin rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim (s/o the second wife) - see below.

1780 - 1793 Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tenzing Namgyal [bsTan-'dzin rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim. b. 1769, son of Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Phuntso II Namgyal [Phun-tshogs rNam-rgyal II], Chogyal of Sikkim, by his second wife, the daughter of Deba Shamsher Khiti Phukpa. Succeeded on the death of his father, 1780. Fled to Tibet after a Nepalese invasion, in which a large part of western Sikkim was annexed to that kingdom. m. Anyo Gyalyum, daughter of Chandzod Karwang. He d. at Lhasa, 1793, having had issue, a son:

1) H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Tsugphud Namgyal [gTsug-phud rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim - see below.

1793 - 1862 H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Tsugphud Namgyal [gTsug-phud rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim. b. 1785, son of Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tenzing Namgyal [bsTan-'dzin rNam-rgyal], Chogyal of Sikkim, by the Anyo Gyalum, educ. privately. Succeeded on the death of his father, and returned to Sikkim, 1793. Removed his capital to Tumlong. Forced to flee from Sikkim when the Nepalese invaded and annexed his territories. Restored to power by the British, under the terms of the Treaty of Titaliya 10^th February 1817. Ceded the Darjeeling tract to the British, in return for an annual fee, 1835. Relations with the British deteriorated an he seized Sir Joseph Hooker and Dr Campbell, leaders of a scientific expedition under government authority. This led to a military expeditions in 1850 and 1861, resulting in the annexation of the Sikkim Terai and a portion of the hills, and the stoppage of the annual Darjeling compensation fee. Recognised by the Treaty with the British as Maharaja with the style of His Highness 28^th March 1861. Thereafter he removed his capital to Sikkim from Tibet, residing there for nine months of every year. m. (first) Labrong. m. (second) a Tibetan lady, sister of the Tashi Lama. m. (third) … (she d.s.p.). m. (fourth) Tunna Dinga (d.s.p.). m. (fifth) ca. 1859, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Menchi (m. second, ca. 1863, Changzed Gelong Kar-po, her husband's third son). He d. 1863, having had issue five sons and six daughters:

1) Prince (Gyalsey) Khyab-gon Namgyal (s/o Labrong). He d. unm.

2) Prince (Gyalsey) Sidkeong Namgyal, who succeeded as H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sidkeong Namgyal [Srid-skyong rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim (s/o the second wife) - see below.

3) Prince (Gyalsey) … Namgyal, Lhase Kusho (s/o the second wife). He d.s.p.

4) Prince (Gyalsey) Avatar Namgyal, of Namchi (s/o the second wife). He d. unm.

5) Prince (Gyalsey) Thutob Namgyal, who succeeded as H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Thutob Namgyal [mThu-stobs rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim (s/o Menchi) - see below.

6) Changzed Gelong Kar-po Namgyal (s/o a maidservant). m. after 1863, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Menchi, widow of his father, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Tsugphud Namgyal, Maharaja of Sikkim. He d. 1879, having had issue:

a) Thinley Namgyal [Lhase Kusho]. Fled to Tibet 1882. m. at Lhasa, 1883, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Yeshay Dolma (d. 1912), joint wife with H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Thutob Namgyal, Maharaja of Sikkim (see below), elder daughter of Shafe Uthok, a member of the Lhading House of Lhasa. He d. at Taring, near Gyantse, 2^nd February 1919, having had issue, one son and one daughter:
- i) ... Namgyal [Chozod Kusho], Taring Rimpoche and Lhatsun Rimpoche. b. 1886. A Tibetan Lama reincarnation. Sometime head of the monasteries and religious instructor to the Chogyal. Expelled from Sikkim in 1934 for claiming the Dobtra estates in Tibet. He had issue, one daughter by Maharani Kunzang Dechen:
  
  (1) Lhanzin-la (d/o Kunzang Dechen). m. Paljor Dorji Tashi [Yap Penjorla], sometime ADC to Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, eldest son of Rhenock Yap Tse Ten Tashi, sometime Private Secretary to the Chogyal. She had issue.
- i) A daughter.

1) A daughter (d/o Labrong). m. Tarding of Tashi Lhunpo, Tibet.

2) A daughter (d/o Labrong). She d. unm.

3) A daughter. b. before 1859 (d/o Menchi). Became a nun.

4) Princess (Semla) Tsering Putti Namgyal. b. before 1859 (d/o Menchi). m. as his second wife, Tokhang Donyer Namgyal, former husband of her half-sister and son of Tung-yik Minchu.

5) A daughter. b. after 1860 (d/o Menchi).

6) A daughter (d/o a maidservant). m. as his first wife, Tokhang Donyer Namgyal, Pagla Dewan, of Tayling in Tibet (m. second, her half-sister, Princess Tsering Putti - see above), Chief Minister of Sikkim 1847-1849 and 1853-1861, Officer of the 4^th grade and blue-stone cap button, son of Tung-yik Minchu.

1862 - 1874 H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sidkeong Namgyal [Srid-skyong rNam-rgyal] Karma Dungyal Tenzing Lhendup Nag, Maharaja of Sikkim. b. at Gangtok Fort, 1819, second son of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Tsugphud Namgyal [gTsug-phud rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, by his second wife, educ. privately. Appointed as Regent for his father 28^th March 1861. Succeeded on the abdication of his father 1862. He secured the renewal of the annual Darjeeling fees, with further increases in 1868 and again in 1873. Granted the titles of Kyabgon Sidkeong Karma Dungyal Tenzing Lhendup Nag (protector of the Karmapa devotees, upholder of the faith, self-protector and eminent in the knowledge of Truth) and an incarnate Lama of the Karmapa sect. m. H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Pending (m. second, 1874, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Thotub Namgyal - see below, she d. 1880). He d.s.p. April 1874 (succ. by his half-brother).

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