Discover India state by state! The Discover India series will take you on a grand tour of every single one of our country's states. Join the adorable Pushka and Mishki and the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they traverse the length and breadth of India. Meet nawabs in Andhra Pradesh, roam the highways of Haryana, learn the history of Odisha, study the culture of Bihar, explore the snow-laden valleys of Uttarakhand and pick up a new dance in Sikkim. Each title is meticulously designed to create a tapestry of the cultural and historical riches of the individual states. Packed with puzzles, crosswords and dozens of other activities, these six books will entertain and enlighten young minds.
This is the true story of Sikkim, a tiny Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas that survived the end of the British Empire only to be annexed by India in 1975.It tells the remarkable tale of Thondup Namgyal, the last King of Sikkim, and his American wife, Hope Cooke, thrust unwittingly into the spotlight as they sought support for Sikkim's independence after their 'fairytale' wedding in 1963. As tensions between India and China spilled over into war in the Himalayas, Sikkim became a pawn in the Cold War in Asia during the 1960s and 1970s. Rumours circulated that Hope was a CIA spy. Meanwhile, a shadowy Scottish adventuress, the Kazini of Chakung, married to Sikkim's leading political figure, coordinated opposition to the Palace. As the world's major powers jostled for regional supremacy during the early 1970s Sikkim and its ruling family never stood a chance. On the eve of declaring an Emergency across India, Indira Gandhi outwitted everyone to bring down the curtain on the 300 year-old Namgyal dynasty. Based on interviews and archive research, as well as a retracing of a journey the author's grandfather made in 1922, this is a thrilling, romantic and informative glimpse of a real-life Shangri-La.
This book, Sons of Sikkim: The Rise and Fall of the Namgyal Dynasty of Sikkim, is not a comprehensive history of Sikkim; it is only a brief history of Sikkim’s Namgyal Dynasty, which ruled the former Kingdom of Sikkim for more than 300 years (1642-1975). The main purpose of writing this book is to give the ordinary people – in Sikkim and elsewhere – a glimpse of Sikkim’s history: its origin in the 13th century, advent of the Namgyal Dynasty in mid-17th century, invasion of neighbouring countries in the 18th and 19th centuries, and finally, the emergence of the kingdom as a democracy in the 20th century, leading ultimately to its present status – the 22nd State of India. There are very few books dealing on the above subjects in great detail in one book. Most books on Sikkim’s history and politics are either one-sided or fail to present a holistic view of Sikkim. A book such as this is perhaps written for the first time by a Sikkimese and from the Sikkimese perspective. History is not always written by the victors; at times, as in this case, it is written by its victims. Empires fall, civilizations crumble but the human spirit, which fights against all kinds of oppression and exploitation, cannot be extinguished so easily. More than anything else, the story of the Sons of Sikkim is a story worth telling; a story of a small Himalayan kingdom and its people’s struggle to survive in the face of great odds.
It was in 1973 that G.B.S. Sidhu, a young official with the newly set-up Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), took charge of the field office in Gangtok in 1973. With an insider's view of the events that led to the Chogyal's ouster, he presents a first-hand account of the fledgling democracy movement and the struggle for reforms led by Kazi Lhendup Dorji in a society that was struggling to come to terms with the modern world. In his fast-paced, clear-sighted narrative, Sidhu tracks the reasons behind New Delhi's shift from a long-standing pro-Chogyal stand to a pro-democracy position and maps the political alignments on the ground in Sikkim. He outlines the interplay of personalities-Indira Gandhi, the Chogyal, the Kazi, and the Indian officials and intelligence agencies involved-to reveal the chain of events that led to the merger of the Himalayan kingdom with India.
The Discover India series will take you on a grand tour of every single one of our country's states. Join the adorable Pushka and Mishki and the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they traverse the length and breadth of India. Meet nawabs in Andhra Pradesh, roam the highways of Haryana, learn the history of Odisha, study the culture of Bihar, explore the snow-laden valleys of Uttarakhand and pick up a new dance in Sikkim.
Discover India state by state! The Discover India series will take you on a grand tour of every single one of our country's states. Join the adorable Pushka and Mishki and the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they traverse the length and breadth of India. Meet nawabs in Andhra Pradesh, roam the highways of Haryana, learn the history of Odisha, study the culture of Bihar, explore the snow-laden valleys of Uttarakhand and pick up a new dance in Sikkim. Each title is meticulously designed to create a tapestry of the cultural and historical riches of the individual states. Packed with puzzles, crosswords and dozens of other activities, these six books will entertain and enlighten young minds.
…Strikes first blood in its league to present an inspirational account of journeys through North East India and its people, culture and lifestyles. BHAICHUNG BHUTIA International soccer player, recipient of Arjuna and Padma Shri Awards, and politician An absolutely awesome account of a traveler telling the true picture of this beautiful region of our country. Thanks for highlighting the beauty of our people too. Great work and a great book. L. SARITA DEVI Two-time World title and five-time Asian titles holder in women's boxing, and recipient of Arjuna Award Backpacking North East India packs a powerful punch. If you think of travel in this unexplored land, pick up a copy today. M.C. MARY KOM Six world boxing titles, Olympic medallist, Asian champion, and recipient of Padma Bhushan award Brisk and colourful, peppered with personal anecdotes of bandhs, reflections on politics and social values, drawn upon wandering on the highlands and low plains of the states of the North East, Abhijeet and Navita Deshpande pack a lot literally into their rucksacks for this backpacker's manual which should be a useful guide on not just where to go and what to do, what not do and where not to venture but also what to keep your eyes and ears open for, in these lands of many stories, ethnic groups and magical experiences, the warmth of ordinary people and the challenges of daily life. SANJOY HAZARIKA Director and founder, Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES), JMI; innovator of boat clinics in Assam; eminent journalist; independent filmmaker; author of many books including Strangers of the Mist
Discover India state by state! The Discover India series will take you on a grand tour of every single one of our country's states. Join the adorable Pushka and Mishki and the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they traverse the length and breadth of India. Meet nawabs in Andhra Pradesh, roam the highways of Haryana, learn the history of Odisha, study the culture of Bihar, explore the snow-laden valleys of Uttarakhand and pick up a new dance in Sikkim. Each title is meticulously designed to create a tapestry of the cultural and historical riches of the individual states. Packed with puzzles, crosswords and dozens of other activities, these six books will entertain and enlighten young minds.
Get set to discover Mizoram Here's a state that is so different that Mishki and Pushka are longing to get started on their trip along with Daadu Dolma. They want to know all about Mizoram's intriguing tribal culture; they want to climb its mountains; and know all about its fascinating history. Are you ready to join them on the trip to the lovely state of Mizoram?
Discover India state by state! The Discover India series will take you on a grand tour of every single one of our country's states. Join the adorable Pushka and Mishki and the wise and witty Daadu Dolma as they traverse the length and breadth of India. Meet nawabs in Andhra Pradesh, roam the highways of Haryana, learn the history of Odisha, study the culture of Bihar, explore the snow-laden valleys of Uttarakhand and pick up a new dance in Sikkim. Each title is meticulously designed to create a tapestry of the cultural and historical riches of the individual states. Packed with puzzles, crosswords and dozens of other activities, these six books will entertain and enlighten young minds.
