sikkim4

SIKKIM

The Namgyal Dynasty

GENEALOGY

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1914 H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal [Srid-skyong Sprul-sku rNam-gyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, CIE (12.12.1911). b. 1879, third son of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Thutob Namgyal [mThu-stobs rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, KCIE, by his first wife, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Pending, educ. St Paul's Sch., Darjeeling, India, and Pembroke Coll, Oxford. Appointed as Heir Apparent with the title of Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar, by the GOI, 21^st February 1899. Served with the British Mission to Tibet in 1905, Vice-Presdt Sikkim State Council and Dir of the Ecclesiastical, Forest and Education Depts 1908-1914. Succeeded on the death of his father 10^th February 1914. Consecrated at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, 29^th April 1914. Hon Lieut Northern Bengal Mounted Rifles (Volunteers), 1913. Learned in Chinese, English, Hindi, Lepcha, Nepali and Tibetan. Rcvd: Delhi Durbar medals (1.1.1903 and 11.12.1911). He d.s.p. unm. from heart failure supervening on an attack of jaundice, following a severe chill, at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 5^th December 1914 (succ. by his half brother).

1914 -1963 H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Tashi Namgyal [bKra-shis rNam-gyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, KCSI (8.6.1939), KCIE (1.1.1923, CIE 1.1.1918). b. at Kurseong, Darjeeling, 26^th October 1893, fourth son of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Sir Thutob Namgyal [mThu-stobs rNam-rgyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, KCIE, by his third wife, H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Yeshay Dolma, educ. St Paul's Sch, Darjeeling, and Mayo Coll, Ajmer, India. Succeeded on the death of his elder half-brother, 5^th December 1914. Installed at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 19^th February 1915. Consecrated at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, 15^th May 1916. Invested with full ruling powers on 5^th April 1918. Signed a treaty with India 1950 after a long period of negotiations lasting three years, in which, India assumed responsibility for Sikkim's defence, external affairs, communications and other matters, but underlying Sikkim's “international personality”. A distinguished artist and painter. Patron of the Sikkim Namgyal Research Inst of Tibetology 1958-1963, the Tashi Namgyal Acad, Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary Sch, Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital 1917-1963, etc. Mbr Asiatic Soc of Bengal 1932, Royal Central Asian Soc 1935, etc. Rcvd: Delhi Durbar silver (11.12.1911), King George V Silver Jubilee (3.6.1935), King George VI Coron (11.5.1937), and Indian Independence (15.8.1948) medals. m. at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Kheng Monastery, Gangtok, 8^th October 1918 (repudiated), H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharani Kunzang Dechen [Denzong Lhacham Kusho] [H.H. the Gyalyum] (b. 1906; d. at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, March 1987, having had further issue one daughter by Chozod Kusho, Tharing Rimpoche - see above), educ. Hampton Court Coll, Mussoorie, India, rcvd: GC with collar of the Precious Jewel of the Heart of Sikkim (Denzong Thu ki Norbu) (22.5.1973), and Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965), daughter of General (De-pon) Medrak Rakashar [mdo-mkhar-sras ra-kha-shar], of Tibet and grand daughter of H.E. Lonchen Shokang, sometime Prime Minister of Tibet. He d. at Woodlands Nursing Home, Calcutta, Bengal, India, 2^nd December 1963, having had issue, three sons and three daughters:

1) Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar Kunzong [Choley] Paljor Namgyal. b. at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 20^th November 1921, educ. St Paul’s Sch and St Joseph’s Coll, Darjeeling, India. Cmsnd as Pilot Officer, IAF, served in WW2 1940-1941, attached No 1 “Tigers” Squadron 1941. Rcvd: King George VI Coron Medal (11.5.1937). He was k. on active service, when his Lysander I undershot the runway and flipped over, at Peshawar, Punjab, 20^thDecember 1941.
2) Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar Chempo Palden Thondup Namgyal, who succeeded as H.H. Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Chempo Palden Thondup Namgyal [dPal-ldan Don-grub rNamgyal], Maharaja and Chogyal of Sikkim - see below.
3) Prince (Gyalsey) Jigdal Tsering Namgyal [Prince George Namgyal]. b. at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 23^rd August 1928, educ. St Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong, Bishop Cotton Sch, Simla, St Stephen's Coll, Delhi, Bombay and Oxford Univs. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965). m. and had issue, several sons and daughters, including:
- a) Prince (Gyalsey) Jigme Namgyal, educ. St Joseph's Coll, Northpoint, and St Joseph's Acad, Darjeeling.
1) Princess (Semla) Pema Tsedong Namgyal [Kuku La] [Pema Tsedong Yapshi Pheunkhang Lhacham Kusho]. b. at Darjeeling, 6^th September 1924, educ. St Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong, India. Returned to Sikkim following the Red Chinese invasion of Tibet. Chair Sikkim Rehabilitation and Resettlement Centre for Tibetan Refugees 1959. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965). m. at Lhasa, Tibet, October 1941, Tsering Thondup Yapshi Pheunkhang [Pheuntsok] Khangsar Sey Kusho Gompo (b. at Lhasa, Tibet, 1918; d. at Calcutta, 3^rd December 1973), educ. Dharpoling Gra-mrqar, Drepung and Myintsikhang Schs, entered Tibet govt service 1933 as a probationer Finance Dept, Junior Clerk in the Kashag 1938-1939, Yaso 1941, Western Dzongpon of Gyantse 1942-1947 & 1947-1950, briefly imprisoned April-May 1947, Trade Cmsnr for India 1950-1956, Mbr Sikkim Namgyal Research Inst of Tibetology General Council & Exec Brd, eldest son of H.E. Tashi Dorji [bkra shis rdo rje], Yapshi Pheunkhang Kung [Yab-gZHis phun-khang gung], sometime Shap-pe (cabinet minister) and a descendant of the 11^th Dalai Lama, by his wife, Yapshi Pheunkhang Lhacham Yangchen Dolkar, of Lhasa. She d. at Calcutta, Bengal, India, 2^ndDecember 2008, having had issue, one son and two daughters. Copyright© Christopher Buyers
2) Princess (Semla) Pema Choki Namgyal [Ku La] [Pema Choki Yapshi Yuthok Lhacham Kusho]. b. at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 25^th December 1925, educ. St Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong, India. Teacher at Gangtok Girl’s Sch. Mbr Sikkim Namgyal Research Inst of Tibetology General Council & Exec Brd 1956-1969, Historical Soc of Calcutta, etc. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965). m. (first) at Lhasa, Tibet, April 1950, Rinchen Tseden Namgyal Yapshi Yuthok Sey Kusho, son of Yapshi Yuthok Dzasa, Tibetan State Trade Delegate at Kalimpong (or Kalon Yothok, Governor of Chamdo), of the family of the 8^th Dalai Lama. m. (second) at Calcutta, 1967, Prithvi Raj Iyer (b. 1930), from a distinguished South Indian family. She d. at Calcutta, 12^th January 1969, having had issue, two sons and one daughter by her first husband.
3) Princess (Semla) Sonam Palden Namgyal [Jean La] [Sonam Palden Trateng]. b. at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 22^nd May 1927, educ. St Joseph's Convent, Kalimpong, India. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965). m. at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, summer 1962, Kazi Sonam Gyatso Trateng (d. 19xx), Personal Assist. & Interpreter to the 16^th Gyalwa Karmapa 1959-1963. She d. 19xx, having had issue, a son:
- a) H.E. Karma Gharwang Chochung Tenpa Namgyal Thinley Kunkhyab Pal Zangpo, 12^th Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche. b. at Gangtok, 30^th June 1965, as Gharwang Tulku, educ. at Rumtek Monastery and the Nalanda Buddhist Inst. Installed on the Lion Throne, at Rumtek Monastery, 1976, as the reincarnated Zurmang Gharwang with the reign name Karma Gharwang Chochung Tenpa Namgyal Thinley Kunkhyab Pal Zangpo (Victorious protector of Buddha Dharma with excellent qualities and all-pervasive, auspicious activities). Patron of the Zurmang Kagyud Buddhist Fndn. 1991.

1963 - [1982] Major-General H.H. Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Chempo Palden Thondup Namgyal [dPal-ldan Don-grub rNamgyal], Maharaja and Chogyal of Sikkim, OBE (c 1.1.1947). b. at the Royal Palace, Park Ridge, Gangtok, 22^nd May 1923, second son of H.H. Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharaja Tashi Namgyal [bKra-shis rNam-gyal], Maharaja of Sikkim, KCSI, KCIE, by his wife, H.H. Gyalyum Kunzang Dechen, daughter of General (De-pon) Medrak Rakashar [mdo-mkhar-sras ra-kha-shar], of Tibet, educ. St Joseph’s Convent, Kalimpong, St Joseph’s Coll, Darjeeling, Bishop Cotton Sch, Simla, India, Lingbu Monastery, Tibet, and the Indian Civil Service (ICS) Training Camp, Dehra Dun, India. Appointed as Heir Apparent with the title of Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar, following the death of his elder brother, 1941. Presdt Sikkim State Council 1944-1949, Chair Appellate Cttee 1959-1963, and Principal Adviser to the Maharaja on External Affairs 1950-1963. Proclaimed on the death of his father, 3^rd December 1963. Consecrated as Chogyal at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, 4^th April 1965. Formally replaced the use of the title Maharaja with Chogyal by 22^ndDecember 1966. Founded the Royal Order of the Jewel of Sikkim, September 1972. Hon Lieut-Col 8^th Gurkha Rifles, IA 26/1/1954, prom Hon Maj-Gen IA 4/4/1965, Colonel-in-Chief Sikkim Guards 1963-1975. Placed under arrest by Indian troops on 9^th April and deposed by the Government of India, 10^th April 1975. Eventually permitted to proceed to the USA to undergo medical treatment. Presdt Mahabodhi Soc of India, Pakistan & Ceylon 1953, Sikkim Namgyal Research Inst of Tibetology 1958-1982, and Sikkim Soldiers, Sailors & Airmen’s Brd. Patron of the Tashi Namgyal Acad, Tashi Namgyal Higher Secondary Sch, Paljor Namgyal Girls’ Sch, Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial (STNM) Hospital. Chair Sikkim Mining Corp Ltd. Founder Mbr and Sikkim Delegate Himalayan Mountaineering Inst (Darjeeling). Mbr Asiatic Soc of Bengal 1945, Working Cttee of 2500th Buddha Jayanti 1956, etc. Hon Dr Nalanda Univ (Bihar, India) and Brown’s Univ (USA). Founder of the Precious Jewel of the Heart of Sikkim (Denzong Thu ki Norbu) September 1972. Rcvd: Padma Vibushan of India (22.2.1954), Cdr of the Order of the Black Star of Benin of France (1956), King Jigme Singye Wangchuck Coron Medal 1^st class of Bhutan (2.6.1974), King Mahendra (2.5.1956) and King Birendra (24.2.1975) Coron Medals of Nepal, etc. m. (first) at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, August 1950, Samyo Kushoe Sangideki (d. at Gangtok, 17^th June 1957), daughter of Theiji Tsewang Rinzing Namgyal, of the Yapshi Samdrup Phodrang family of Lhasa, Tibet. m. (second) at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, 20^thMarch 1963 (div. 1980) Hope Cooke Namgyal (b. at San Francisco, California, USA, 24^th June 1940, m. second, at New York, USA, 24^th March 1982, Dr. Michael Wallace, Professor of History at The John Jay Coll of Criminal Justice, City Univ of New York), educ. Chapin Sch, New York, Madeira Sch, Fairfax, Virginia, and Sarah Lawrence Coll, Bronxville, New York, USA, styled Her Highness Hope La, the Gyalmo of Sikkim 1963-1975, author of “Time Change” (1980), and “Seeing New York” (1995), Joint Author of “Teaching the Magic of Dance” (1983), etc., Assoc Fellow Berkeley Coll, Yale Univ, Hon LLD (Albertus Magnus Coll.), rcvd: Precious Jewel of the Heart of Sikkim (Denzong Thu ki Norbu) 1st class (22.5.1973), and Coron Medal (4.4.1965), daughter of John J. Cooke, by his wife, Hope Noyes Cooke, daughter of Winchester Noyes, of Newbury, Massachusetts, USA. He d. from cancer, at New York, USA, 29^th January1982 having had issue, three sons and three daughters:

1) Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar Tenzing Kunzang Jigme Namgyal [Penpo Kude]. b. at Calcutta, West Bengal, 14^th March 1952 (s/o Sangideki), educ. Harrow Sch, Mdsx, and Trinity Coll, Cambridge. Appointed as Heir Apparent with the title of Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar, 2^nd December 1963. Placed under arrest by Indian troops together with his father, 9^th April 1975. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965). He was k. in a car crash near Gangtok, 11^th March 1978.

2) Sri Sri Sri Sri Maharajkumar Tobgyal Wangchuk Tenzing Namgyal [Penpo Kushon], who succeeded as H.H. Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tobgyal Wangchuk Tenzing Namgyal, Chogyal of Sikkim (s/o Sangideki) - see below. Copyright© Christopher Buyers

3) Prince (Gyalsey) Palden Gyurmed Namgyal. b. at Calcutta, Bengal, India, 19^thFebruary 1964 (s/o Hope La), educ. Tathangchen Sch, Gangtok, Dalton High Sch, Manhattan, New York, and Georgetown Univ (BA), Washington, USA. MD in the Consumer Products Dvsn of J.P. Morgan-Chase Manhattan Bank 2001-2003, Founder and Snr MD Atlas Strategic Advisers LLC since 2004, Atlas Dentek Holdings LLC, and Atlas Investment Management LLC. Hon Life Mbr Sikkim Archery Assoc (SAA) 2010. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965). m. Princess (Semla) Kesang Diki Namgyal (b. 1973), educ. Tashi Namgyal Acad, Gangtok, youngest daughter of Pema Dorji Yap Tse Ten Tashi, of Rhenock, sometime Private Secretary to the Chogyal. He has issue, three daughters:

a) Princess (Semla) Khendum Yangdom Namgyal, educ. Bronxville High Sch, New York, and the Art Inst of Chicago, Illinois, USA. Artist and painter.

a) Princess (Semla) Diki Choden Namgyal.

b) Princess (Semla) Kunzang Choden Namgyal.

1) Princess (Semla) Yangchen Dolma Namgyal [Sem Kude]. b. 1956 (d/o Sangideki), educ. Loretto Convent, Darjeeling, Maltman‚s Green Sch, Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, Cobham Hall, Cobham, Kent, Finch Coll, Manhattan, New York, and Connecticut Coll, New London, Connecticut, USA. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965). m. at the Royal Chapel, Gangtok, 2^nd December 1979, Simon Nicholas Abrahams (b. 1955), educ. Winchester Coll, Winchester, Hampshire, and Princeton Univ, New Jersey, USA, photographer in Cambodia, film producer in South Africa, Account Exec D‚Arcy, MacManus & Masius in New York, a British advertising executive from New York, USA, proprietor of the Tenzing & Pema gift store 1992-1996 and Chair & CEO of the Leg Room legware stores until 1996, Mbr Royal Photographic Soc of GB, son of Anthony John Abrahams, by his wife, Cynthia Leah, daughter of Major Arthur Meyer Sassoon, OBE, MC, of Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire. She has issue, one son and one daughter.

2) Princess (Semla) Hope Leezum Namgyal Tobden [Sem Kushon]. b. at Calcutta, 28^th February 1968 (d/o Hope La), educ. St Joseph‚s Coll, Northpoint, Darjeeling, India, Dalton Sch, Manhattan, New York, Milton Acad, and Georgetown Univ (BA), Washington DC, USA. MD TrekSikkim, New York and Gangtok. m. (first) at New York, USA, 1991 (div. 1993) Thomas Gwyn Reich, Jnr. (b. at Guilford, North Carolina, USA, 11^thSeptember 1956; m. second, Seiko Kyan, by whom he has issue, one daughter), educ. Washington & Lee Univ, Lexington, Virginia, Georgetown Univ, Washington DC (BA, M.Sc.), and US Foreign Service Inst, Arlington, Virginia, joined US State Dept, Head of Burmese Affairs until 1992, Deputy Consul-Gen at Okinawa 1992, Consul-Gen 2003, son of Thomas Gwyn Reich, Snr, of Wilmington, North Carolina, by his wife, Jayne [Mrs Daniel Ericourt]. m. (second) 1993, Yep Wangyal Tobden (b. 1956), sometime Cmsnr of Police, Sikkim.

Chogyal Thondup Namgyal, also had issue, a further son and daughter by a Lepcha lady:

4) A son who d. young.
3) Omo, educ. in the US and m. to an American.

[1982] H.H. Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Tobgyal Wangchuk Tenzing Namgyal, Chogyal of Sikkim. b. at Calcutta, West Bengal, India, 1^st April 1953, second and eldest surviving son of Major-General H.H. Muwong Chogyal Sri Sri Sri Sri Sri Chempo Palden Thondup Namgyal [dPal-ldan Don-grub rNamgyal], Maharaja and Chogyal of Sikkim, OBE, by his first wife, Samyo Kushoe Sangideki, daughter of Theiji Tsewang Rinzing Namgyal, educ. Harrow Sch, Middlesex, and the Ealing Business Sch, Univ of London, UK. Became Heir Apparent after the death of his elder brother on 11^th March 1978. Succeeded his father as Head of the Royal House of Sikkim, 19^th February 1982. Formally consecrated as Chogyal at the Royal Chapel, Tsuk-La-Khang Monastery, Gangtok, 29^th January 1982. Presdt Kumar Sporting Club 1970-1975. Not officially recognised by the Government of India. Rcvd: Palden Thondup Namgyal Coron Medal (4.4.1965).

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