INTRODUCTION. IX 



In one respect it is even more realistic than the medieval maps 

 to which it bears a general resemblance; for the 

 apo 1 im. houses on either side of the Darjeeling spur are 

 reversed in relation to each other, so that to bring them into their 

 proper positions, the map, which is drawn on cloth, must be tilted 

 up from below like the ridge of a tent. As a political manifesto, the 

 map is of peculiar interest at the present time ; and one is disposed to 

 wonder that our barbarous neighbours should have been so ready to 

 adopt one of the characteristic weapons of modern diplomacy. The 

 Lingtu fort, with its block-house and wall, stands out in conspicuous 

 disregard of proportion and perspective ; while Tibetan territory 

 (coloured yellow) is shown as extending to the Rishi river, about thirty 

 miles in advance of the frontier hitherto recognised by all parties 

 concerned. Although the borders of Tibet are to this extent enlarged, 

 the assertion of her paramount authority over Sikhim is not indicated 

 on the face of the map. So far at least as colouring goes, that State 

 is not made out to be a part of Tibet. It is painted red, while the 

 British district of Darjeeling is shown in a lighter shade of the same 

 colour. 



Had this been all — had an aggressive Tibet and a Tibetanising 

 Raja of Sikhim been the only elements of danger that we were called 

 upon to face — we might perhaps safely have indulged our national 

 proclivities, and with some loss of prestige in Eastern Asia, have 

 permitted the tangle to unwind itself. The Raja's announcement 

 of his change of allegiance might have been looked upon as a meaning- 

 less flourish, to be punished by severe reproof and the stojDpage of his 

 subsidy ; while the withdrawal of the Tibetans from Lingtu might 

 ultimately have been brought about by the tardy action of China, 

 which must sooner or later have called so unruly a vassal to order. 

 But this door of escape from unwelcome action was absolutely closed 

 by the state of feeling in Sikhim. 



We may repeat here what has already been indicated above, that 

 from the commencement of our relations with Sikhim there have been 

 two parties in that State — one which may be called the Lepcha or 

 national party, consistently friendly to our Government, and a foreign 

 or Tibetan party, steadily hostile. The family of the chiefs has 

 generally been by way of siding with the latter, partly in consequence 

 of their habit of marrying Tibetan women, and partly through their 

 fondness for Chumbi. Of late years a further complication has been 

 introduced by the settlement of colonies of Nepalese 



Sikhim. °^ ^^'"^' '° ^" P^^*^^ ^* Sikhim— a measure favoured by the 

 Lepchas generally. These settlers look to us for 

 protection in case of danger, and are naturally friendly to our Gov- 

 ernment; but their presence is regarded with disfavour by many 



