Musket Balls and Cannon balls found in Tumlong Palace ruins

War objects found at Tumlong Palace ruins

Little is known about the collapse of the Tumlong Palace, the third official capital of the kingdom of Sikkim but the findings of few war-related objects from the ruins of the site have added some exciting tidings. Found from the Palace ruins are cannon balls, musket balls and an iron gear. These objects could probably be looked upon as a new era of warfare that was brought to the Himalayan land of Sikkim by the British. These materials are presently under the preservation of Archives Department, Gangtok.

After Rabdenste, the second capital of Sikkim was repeatedly attacked by the Nepal royal army, Tshudpud Namgyal, the than Chogyal of Sikkim shifted his capital from Rabdenste to Tumlong in 1793. Tumlong was the capital of Sikkim till 1884 when Chogyal Thutob Namgyal shifted his capital to present day Gangtok.

Musket balls

Cannon ball

Sikkim Royal family vehicle licence plate (1965)

From the page of National Geographic (1965)

The photograph was taken during the coronation of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal at Gangtok (1965).

In memory of " Proud to be a Sikkimese"

As it is often said.....show must go on.....life has to start off, despite irregularities. So, despite several failures in regaining the password of my old blog "Proud to be a Sikkimese", i am hereby starting a new blog with the same motive as i had in my earlier blog...helping people understand the beauty and the mystic beyond the Sikkim.

Through my blog i had always tried my best to spread my small learning about my Sikkim but i believe some hackers did not liked my contribution. Nevertheless....i am here again doing the same old job...enriching people about me, myself and my Sikkim.

I am sure my readers shall continue me that love and support which i had in " Proud to be a Sikkimese".

Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal with Gyalpo Hope Cook

From the pages of National Geographic Magazine (1965).