THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF LEPCHA COMMUNITY OF SIKKIM:

A HISTORICAL STUDY

Submitted to the Central University of Punjab

For the Award of the Degree of
Master of Art
In History

Submitted By: Submitted To:

Student Name: Budha Maya Gurung Dr. Brijendra Kumar
Reg. No.: 22mahist37 Supervisor

Department History
School of Social Science
Central University of Punjab, Bathinda
2024
THE ETHNIC COMMUNITY OF SIKKIM

BHUTIA LEPCHA NEPALI

 INTRODUCTION
• The branch of history that emphasizes the study of
social structure and interaction of different social
groups rather than a state affairs is called a social
history. A society carries a multiple aspect such as
interdependence, culture, beliefs and shared values.
• The tribal society of Sikkim shares a harmonious bond
with the mainstream people and also shares a social
values regardless of caste, culture, religion, race and
language and forms a structure of the society
• The Lepcha of Sikkim is an indigenous community and has
contributed in shaping the cultural, social, political history of
sikkim. The transitioning of Lepcha from hunter gatherers to
pastoralist and agriculturalists is the journey that shows the
nature of evolution of tribe in himalayan state.
• The Lepcha as a tribe is also a historically backward
and marginalized community from the mainstream
people. Lepcha community is politically, socially and
economiclly marginalized in sikkim.
• The government of India as well as the Sikkim state
government has given several tribal safeguard policies
and developmental policies for tribes in the
himalayan state. Government aids in education,
health also have been provided to the tribal people.
• The reservation of Tribal seats in administration and
Education is also benefiting the community to gear up
towads advancement and development.
 THE PROFILE OF INDIGENOUS LEPCHA OF SIKKIM

LEPCHA ATTIRE RELIGION FISHING

HUNTING
BOONGTHING

FARMER SETTLED VILLAGE TRADITIONAL FOOD CRAFT MAKING

 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
• Halfdan Siiger, The Lepchas culture and religion of a Himalayan people,
Siiger talks about the rich cultural heritage of Sikkim, and focuses upon the
roots of Lepcha, tracing the origin in Pre-Buddhist era and their distinct
linguistic and cultural practices.

• A.C Sinha: The Feudal Polity and Political Development in Sikkim, Sinha
explores the historical evolution of governance of Sikkim from pre-colonial
times to the modern era, putting light on the complexities of feudal
relationships and the interactions between local rulers, colonial powers, and
external influences.
• Richard English: Himalayan State Formation and the Impact of British Rule in
the Nineteenth Century. English examines the complex processes of state formation
in the Himalayan region during the 19th century, focusing on the influence of
British colonial rule. English argues that British colonialism had a significant
impact on the political and social structures of the Himalayan states, leading to
transformations in governance, administration, and power dynamics.
• Geoffrey Gorer(1938) Himalayan Village: An Account of the Lepchas of Sikkim.
Gorer provides a detailed account of the Lepcha community in Sikkim. Gorer's
work focuses on the social organization, cultural practices, and livelihood strategies
of the Lepcha people, putting light on their traditional way of life and interactions
with the natural strategies of the Lepcha people, shedding light on their traditional
way of life and interactions with the natural environment.
• Anita Sharma (2013) The Lepchas of Dzongu Region in Sikkim: A
Narrative of Cultural Heritage and Folklore, Sharma investigates into the
unique cultural heritage and folklore of the Lepcha community living in
the Dzongu region of Sikkim. Sharma provides a detailed exploration of
the traditions, rituals, and beliefs of the Lepchas, highlighting their deep
connection to the natural environment and their spiritual practices.

• R.S. Shukla(1976) Sikkim: The Story of Integration, the author delves

into the historical and political context of Sikkim's integration into India
in 1975. Shukla explores the complex dynamics between the Chogyal
(ruler) of Sikkim, the Indian government, and the people of Sikkim
during this period of transition. The book provides knowledge into the
socio-political factors that led to Sikkim becoming a part of India and
sheds light on the challenges and opportunities that arose from this
integration. Shukla's narrative offers a comprehensive understanding of
this significant chapter in the history of Sikkim.
RESEARCH QUSTION:
1. What is the social condition of Lepcha community
in sikkim?

2. Why is it important to study the culture of Lepcha

community in sikkim?

3. What is the political development of Lepcha in

sikkim?

4. What are the responsible variables for the

marginalization of Lepcha community?
 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
• The lepcha community needs to be studied because of the fact that it is an
indigenous community of Sikkim which have contributed in shaping the cultural,
social and political history of the region.

• And also the evolution of Lepcha community from food gatherers to pastiralist and
agriculturalists is a matter of anthropological study.

• The Lepcha community has their own faiths and beleifs, practices and also
preserves their traditional life is what makes Lepcha the subject of study.

• It is very important to study about Lepcha tribe because this tribe is one of the
tribes of India that is on the path of extinction.

• The Lepcha tribe has contributed in the preservation of the natural environment
and ecosystem of Sikkim.

• The tribe also has widely contributed in cultural preservation and in advocating
indigeneous rights as well as promoting cultural diversity.

• The Lepcha as a historically marginalized and backward community is crucial for

promoting the social justice, sustainable development and harmonious future.
 RESEARCH GAP:
The lepcha of Sikkim is an indigenous community with rich cultural
heritage, traditional values. The contribution of Lepcha community in
shaping the Sikkimese society, culture and politics, cannot be denied. The
evolving and developing nature of the community is one of the important
topic to be studied. Scholarly works have been done in the tribal
developments in general but not specefically to Lepcha of Sikkim.

Historians and Anthropologists have focused and worked on the

migration pattern of the Lepcha community but have failed to talk about
the origin of the community. The political history and the participation
of the Lepcha have been studied but the political marginalization of the
community is yet to be studied.

The Lepcha community is a tribe that is on the path of extinction, the

factors like globalization, social interaction, cultural exchage,
urbanization is threatening their taditional values and culture so the
preservation and conservation of the community’s indigeneous values are
yet to be brought in the eyes of the research and academics.
OBJECTIVES:
1.To study the social condition of
Lepcha community in Sikkim.
2.To study the cultural structure of
Lepcha community in Sikkim.
3.To analyze the political development
of Lepcha community in Sikkim.
4.To find out the responsible variables
of the marginalization of Lepcha
community
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
This research proposal is completely based on Qualitative
method. The Qualitative research method is specifically
evaluative, analytical, and descriptive in its nature, which draws
the conclusion by collecting information from uncounted
secondary sources inclusive of primary sources.

This research is based on the primary sources which include

Gazetteer, scholarly journal articles, books etc. and the
secondary sources like books and articles, interview, videos
floating around the internet has also been taken to fulfill the gap
of basic understanding the topic.
TENTATIVE CHAPTER
1. Introduction

2. Historical background of Lepcha community in Sikkim.

3. Social condition of the Lepcha community of Sikkim.

4. Cultural structure of Lepcha in Sikkim.

5. Political development of Lepcha community in Sikkim.

6. Variables that are responsible for the marginalization of

Lepcha in Sikkim.

7. Conclusion.
 REFERENCES
• Basnet. L.B, A Short Political History of Sikkim, 1974, S. CHAND & CO
(Pvt)LTD, Ram Nagar, Delhi,110055, pp. 01-62.
• Chettri. Durga Prasad, Tribal Population and Development Policies in the
Himalayan state of Sikkim: A Critical Analysis, May 2013, International Journal
of Humanities and Social Sciences Invention, Vol-2, pp. 08-18.
• Karan. P. Pradyumana, Jenkins. William M, The Himalayan Kingdoms: Bhutan,
Sikkim, and Nepal,1963, Van Nostrand Company, Princeton, pp.01-41.
• Shukla, R. S. (1976) ‘Sikkim: the Story of Integration’, New Delhi, S.Chand &
Co. Pvt. Ltd. Pp. 01-53.
• English. Richard, Himalayan State Formation and the Impact of British Rule in
the Nineteenth Century, 1985, International Mountain Society, pp.61-78.
• Gorer. Geoffrey, Himalayan Village: An Account of the Lepchas of Sikkim,1938,
Gyan Publishing House.pp.43-188.
• Sharma. Anita, The Lepchas of the Dzongu Region Of Sikkim: A Narrative Of
Cultural Heritage and Folklore, 2013, The Indian National Trust For Art and
cultural Heritage, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi-110003, pp.149-154.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY:
 Basnet., L.B, A Short Political History of Sikkim, S. CHAND & CO PVT LTD,
Delhi, 1974.
 Chettri. Durga Prasad, Tribal Population and Development Policies in the
Himalayan state of Sikkim: A Critical Analysis, International Journal of
Humanities and Social Sciences Invention, Vol-2, 2013.
 .
Duff. Andrew, Sikkim Requiem for a Himalayan Kimgdom, Penguin, 2015.
 English. Richard, Himalayan State Formation and the Impact of British Rule in
the Nineteenth Century, International Mountain Society, 1985.
 Gorer. Geoffrey, Himalayan Village: An Account of the Lepchas of Sikkim,
Gyan Publishing House, 1938.
 Karan. P. Pradyumana, Jenkins. William M, The Himalayan Kingdoms: Bhutan,
Sikkim, and Nepal, Van Nostrand Company, Princeton, 1963.
 Gorer. Geoffrey, The Lepcha of Sikkim, Cultural Publishing House, 1984.
  Risley, H.H., ‘Gazetter of Sikkim’, New Delhi, D.K. Publishers
Distributions Pvt. Ltd.(1928)

 Sharma. Anita, The Lepchas of the Dzongu Region Of Sikkim: A

Narrative Of Cultural Heritage and Folklore, The Indian National
Trust For Art and cultural Heritage, New Delhi, 2013.

 Shukla, R. S., ‘Sikkim: the Story of Integration’, New Delhi, S.Chand

& Co. Pvt. Ltd., 1976

 Sinha. A.C,The Feudal Polity and Political Development in Sikkim,

Vol-3, Indian Anthropological Association, 1973.

 Sharma. Anita, The Lepchas of the Dzongu Region Of Sikkim: A

Narrative Of Cultural Heritage and Folklore, The Indian
National Trust For Art and cultural Heritage, New Delhi, 2013.
 THANKYOU
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QUESTION AND
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