Palden Thondup Namgyal Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Palden Thondup Namgyal
The 12th Chogyal
Palden Thondup Namgyal in 1971
Chogyal of Sikkim
Reign	2 December 1963 – 10 April 1975
Coronation	4 April 1965
Predecessor	Tashi Namgyal
Successor	Monarchy abolished

Born	(1923-05-23)23 May 1923 Gangtok, Kingdom of Sikkim
Died	29 January 1982(1982-01-29) (aged 58) New York City, New York, U.S.
Spouse	Samyo Kushoe Sangideki (1950–1957) Hope Cooke (1963–1980)
Issue	Prince Tenzing Kunzang Jigme Namgyal Prince Tobgyal Wangchuk Tenzing Namgyal Princess Yangchen Dolma Namgyal Prince Palden Gyurmed Namgyal Princess Hope Leezum Namgyal Tobden A son Omo
House	Namgyal
Father	Tashi Namgyal
Mother	Kunzang Dechen
Religion	Buddhism

Palden Thondup Namgyal (born May 23, 1923 – died January 29, 1982) was the 12th and last Chogyal (king) of the Kingdom of Sikkim. Sikkim was a small country located in the Himalayas, between India and Nepal. He became king in 1963 and ruled until 1975, when Sikkim became a state of India.

Life of Palden Thondup Namgyal
Other Interests
His Legacy
Titles and Honours
Images for kids
See also

Life of Palden Thondup Namgyal

Palden Thondup Namgyal was born on May 23, 1923, in the Royal Palace in Gangtok, Sikkim.

Early Life and Education

When he was six, he started school at St. Joseph's Convent in Kalimpong. However, he had to stop his studies because he often got malaria. From ages eight to eleven, he studied with his uncle, Rimpoche Lhatsun. During this time, he was trained to become a Buddhist monk. He was even recognized as a reborn leader of two important monasteries, Phodong and Rumtek.

Later, he continued his education at St. Joseph's College in Darjeeling. He then graduated from Bishop Cotton School in Shimla in 1941. He had planned to study science at Cambridge University. But his older brother, who was the crown prince, died in a plane crash in 1941. This sad event changed Palden's plans. He then trained for the Indian Civil Service, which is a group of people who help run the government in India.

Family and Role in Government

Palden Thondup Namgyal worked as an adviser for his father, Sir Tashi Namgyal, who was the 11th Chogyal. He helped his father with important decisions about Sikkim's internal affairs (things happening inside the country). He also led the group that worked out Sikkim's relationship with India after India became independent in 1947.

In 1950, he married Samyo Kushoe Sangideki. She was from an important family in Tibet. They had two sons and one daughter together. Sadly, Samyo Kushoe Sangideki passed away in 1957.

King and Queen of Sikkim, 1966

In 1963, Palden Thondup Namgyal married Hope Cooke. She was a 22-year-old American woman from New York City. Their marriage brought a lot of media attention to Sikkim from all over the world. They had two children together. They later divorced in 1980.

Becoming King and Sikkim's Future

Soon after his marriage, Palden Thondup Namgyal's father died. He was crowned the new Chogyal (king) in 1965.

In 1975, the Prime Minister of Sikkim asked the Indian Parliament for Sikkim to become a state of India. In April of that year, the Indian Army took control of Gangtok, the capital city. They also disarmed the guards at the Chogyal's palace. After a special vote (referendum) on April 14, 1975, the monarchy (the system of having a king) was ended. Sikkim officially became a state of India. Palden Thondup Namgyal was then placed under house arrest.

Palden Thondup Namgyal died of cancer in New York City, United States, on January 29, 1982. He was 58 years old.

Other Interests

King and Queen of Sikkim and their daughter watch birthday celebrations, Gangtok, Sikkim in May 1971

Palden Thondup Namgyal was interested in many things. He was an amateur radio operator. This means he used radio equipment to talk to people around the world as a hobby. His special call-sign, like a unique radio name, was AC3PT. People who also enjoyed amateur radio often tried to contact him.

He also helped pay for a documentary film called Sikkim (1971). This film was made by a famous Indian filmmaker named Satyajit Ray.

His Legacy

Palden Thondup Namgyal helped Sikkim become a very successful country. Under his leadership, Sikkim was seen as a "model Asian state." The number of people who could read and write (literacy rate) and the average income per person (per capita income) were much higher than in neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

His first son, Tenzing Kunzang Jigme Namgyal, who was supposed to be the next king, died in a car accident in 1978. His second son from his first marriage, Tobgyal Wangchuk Tenzing Namgyal, was named the 13th Chogyal after his father's death. However, this title no longer holds any official power or authority since Sikkim became part of India.

Titles and Honours

Throughout his life, Palden Thondup Namgyal held various titles that changed as he grew older and took on more responsibilities. For example, he was first known as Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal. Later, he received special honors like the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the United Kingdom. He also received awards from India, France, Nepal, and Bhutan, showing his importance on the world stage.