Among the Indian states, Sikkim represents complex
ethnographic composition. In 1642 AD when Namgyal dynasty came into existence,
Sikkim was represented by the popular Tibetan phrase ‘Lho-Men-Tsong-Sum’, the three aboriginal people of the newly
emerged Himalayan kingdom (Chaudhury, 2006, pp. 23-26). The ‘Lho’ ‘southern’ refers to the Bhutias
who settled in the southern part of Tibet i,e. Sikkim and Bhutan, ‘Men’ ‘foothills’ refers to the Lepchas
inhabiting the lower slopes of the
eastern Himalayas and ‘Tsong’ refers
to the Limboos who are believed to have migrated originally from Tsong one of
the central province of Tibet (Sprigg, 1999, p.
VI).
According to Richard Temple
the total population of Sikkim during the seventies of the 19th
century was very small, about 5000. Out of which 2500 were Lepchas, 1500
Bhutias and 1000 Limboos (Sengupta, 1985, p. 27). But ethno-demographic
structure of Sikkim appeared to be more complex and diversified in 1890s when H
H Risley the British Officer conducted the first population census in 1891 on
Sikkim dividing the whole demography of Sikkim on the basis of caste and race.
Risley had listed more than 14 communities with the total population of 30458.
Of which 5762 were Lepchas, 4894 Bhutias, 3356 Limboos, 2921 Gurungs, 2867
Murmis, 2020 Rais Jimdar, 1963 Khambus, 1670 Kamis, 1414 Brahmins, 829
Chettris, 901 Mangers, 727 Newars, 326 Slavess, 287 Dorjis and 521
miscellaneous including troops. The table below indicates the composition of
demography of Sikkim in the early 1890s.
