The Ruins at Rabdentse, the Ancient Capital of Sikkim
Tensung Namgyal, the second Chogyal of Sikkim and son of Phuntshog Namgyal moved the capital from Yuksom to Rabdentse in the late 17th century. The ruins of this ancient capital, surrounded by a rubble fortification occupy a conspicuous spur, within a thickly forested valley to the south west of Pemayangtse Monastery. The main settlement, which lies on the highest portion of the spur is divided into two sections. The sector to the north constitutes the palace complex, while to the south was the religious complex, probably meant for both the royal family and common people. Three chortens fronted by a stone paved open floor and attached to the double storied palace were probably for religious pursuits of the royal family only. The religious complex consists of a throne and a chorten above a platform. During the time of Tenzing Namgyal, who succeeded his father in 1780, Nepalese forces attacked the capital of Rabdentse and Tenzing Namgyal was forced to flee to Tibet. After the Sino-Nepal Treaty was signed, his son Tsudphud Namgyal returned to Sikkim in 1793, and was reinstated as Chogyal. But Rabdentse was too close to the Nepal border for safety, and the capital was moved to Tumlong.
Size: 5120px × 3427px
Location: Rabdentse, Sikkim, India
Photo credit: © Dave Pattison / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: archaeological, archaeology, building, buildings, capital, chogyal, heritage, historic, history, india, king, palace, rabdentse, remains, royal, ruined, ruins, sikkim, site
