Sikhim and Bhutan
Twenty-one Years on the North-East Frontier 1887-1908

J. Claude White (Author)

9789390729838

Hardback, published 20 November 2024

436 pages
23 x 15 x 2.6 cm, 0.8 kg

Sikhim and Bhutan: Twenty-one Years on the North-East Frontier is J. Claude White's memoir of his expeditions in Sikkim, eastern Bhutan, parts of Tibet and missions to Bhutan that took him to unexplored regions of these places, which he has captured brilliantly through his writing?and?photographs.

Appointed as the Political Officer in administrative charge of Sikkim and later of Bhutan, by the British Indian government, White's account covers his official activities, interactions with people from diverse back­grounds – both maharajas and common folk – and his explorations, making?this?book?a?fascinating?read.

White's expeditions on both glacial and non-existent road tracks, through snowstorm and blizzard, witnessing avalanches, crossing wobbly cane bridges, and to the Tatshang Monastery in Paro -- more famous as the Tiger’s Nest – are invigorating and thrilling. White has also given detailed and rich descriptions of monasteries, forts, castles and hamlets; the people and their life; and political events like the Delhi Durbar.

His remarkable photographs that include the Maharaja of Bhutan Sir Ugyen Wang-chuk, the Maharaja and Maharani of Sikkim, Kanchenjunga, glacial lakes, Bhutanese houses, a precarious bamboo roadway, monasteries and artefacts, significantly contribute to Sikhim and?Bhutan’s?appeal.

The book also includes general information on Bhutan and Sikkim, their?arts?and?industries,?and?its?laws?and?customs.

• Chapter I The Geographical Position and General Feature of the states of Sikhim and Bhutan 1
• Chapter II The People their Morals Religion and language 7
• Chapter III A Short History of Sikhim 16
• Chapter IV Early Reminiscences 19
• Chapter V More Early Reminiscences 25
• Chapter VI More Early Reminiscences 33
• Chapter VII The Delhi Durbar and VIsit of the Chiefs 45
• Chapter VIII Expeditions and Explorations in Sikhim 53
• Chapter IX Expeditions and Explorations in Sikhim 63
• Chapter X Expeditions and Explorations in Sikhim 82
• Chapter XI DeParture from Sikhim 94
• Chapter XII History of the Founding of Bhutan 99
• Chapter XIII My First Mission of Bhutan 105
• Chapter XIV My First Mission of Bhutan 137
• Chapter XV My First Mission of Bhutan 161
• Chapter XVI An Exploration of Eastern Bhutan 184
• Chapter XVII An Exploration of Eastern Bhutan and a Portion of Tibet in 1906 197
• Chapter XVIII My Second Mission to Bhutan 211
• Chapter XIX My Second Mission to Bhutan 224
• Chapter XX British Mission to Bhutan 237
• Chapter XXI British Relations with Bhutan from 1772 264
• Chapter XXII Foreign Relations with Bhutan 285
• Chapter XXIII Arts and Industries of Sikhim and Bhutan 294
• Appendices 301-325
• Index 327