Rabdentse - The Ancient Capital of Sikkim:

Tensung Namgyal, The Second Chogyal of Sikkim and son of Phuntshog Namgyal, shifted the capital from Yuksom to Rabdentse in late 17th Century A.D. The ruins of this ancient capital, surrounded by a rubble fortification are scattered over a conspicuous spur. Within a thickly forested valley on the south-west of the famous Pemayangtse Monastery. The main settlement which lies on the highest portion of the spur is divided into two sectors by a dividing wall. The sector to the north constitutes the palace complex whereas the sector 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 storeyed palace were probably for religious pursuits of the royal family only. The religious complex constitutes a throne and a Chorten above a platform. The settlement was probably extending towards western side beyond the rubble fortification where the common people lived. In this area, there is a lake and a connecting stone bridge.

During the time of Tenzing Namgyal who succeeded his father in 1780 A.D, Nepalese forces attacked the capital of Rabdentse when Tenzing Namgyal had to flee to Tibet. After the Sino-Nepal Treaty was signed, Tsudphud Namgyal, son of Tenzing Namgyal was sent to Sikkim in 1793 A.D and reinstated as Chogyal (King). Since Rabdentse was too close to the Nepal border and hence unsafe, the capital was shifted to Tumlong.

Video: Empty Bag Films
Audio: Jai Wolf - Indian Summer

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