This is the true story of Sikkim, a tiny Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas that survived the end of the British Empire only to be annexed by India in 1975.It tells the remarkable tale of Thondup Namgyal, the last King of Sikkim, and his American wife, Hope Cooke, thrust unwittingly into the spotlight as they sought support for Sikkim's independence after their 'fairytale' wedding in 1963. As tensions between India and China spilled over into war in the Himalayas, Sikkim became a pawn in the Cold War in Asia during the 1960s and 1970s. Rumours circulated that Hope was a CIA spy. Meanwhile, a shadowy Scottish adventuress, the Kazini of Chakung, married to Sikkim's leading political figure, coordinated opposition to the Palace. As the world's major powers jostled for regional supremacy during the early 1970s Sikkim and its ruling family never stood a chance. On the eve of declaring an Emergency across India, Indira Gandhi outwitted everyone to bring down the curtain on the 300 year-old Namgyal dynasty. Based on interviews and archive research, as well as a retracing of a journey the author's grandfather made in 1922, this is a thrilling, romantic and informative glimpse of a real-life Shangri-La.

This Present Book Portrays A Vivid Account Of Different Aspects Of Sikkim--Its History, Politics, Sociology And Economic Development.

To Address Issues Like Integration Process, Development Interventions, Social Change, Strategic Volatility And Environmental Agenda, This Special Volume On Sikkim Has Been Brought Out.

Joining previous editions on other Indian states, this report focuses on Sikkim, a state that is a popular tourist destination for its culture, scenic beauty, and biodiversity. Analyzing the entire range of the state’s development issues of interest to businesses, nongovernmental organizations, research organizations, and policy makers, this volume discusses the constraints and challenges faced by Sikkim and provides a blueprint for its socioeconomic progress.