HISTORY OF SIKHIM AND ITS RULERS. 15 



situated near Gyezing. The Rani continued to reside at Rubdentse 

 near the Tasongs. The Raja, on the other hand, became more and 

 more inclined to the Lepchas and their form of worship. Five of their 

 priests, who gave themselves out to be the incarnation of Tesi (the 

 Lepcha Guru Rimpoche), obtained immense influence over the Raja, 

 and treated him in a most contemptuous manner, and arrogated so 

 much to themselves that the Tasongs rose and successfully expelled 

 them, the Raja himself being convinced they were Mu-thepa or 

 impostors. Throughout this commotion the Raja harried and dis- 

 tressed his Limbu subjects so much by calling them out unnecessarily 

 to fight and again to build forts and walls, that in despair they threw 

 off their allegiance and joined Nepal, so thus Sikhim began to lose 

 the Limbuana country. 



Worn out by these dissensions and in disgust at having to return 

 to his ugly wife, the Raja disguised himself as a fakir or religious 

 mendicant and went on a pilgrimage to Tibet. No one in that 

 country suspected his royal origin, until he came before dWangs-Chuk 

 Dorze, the 9th Karmapa Lama. That ecclesiastic penetrated the 

 king's disguise and treated him royally : in consequence the Karmapa 

 Lama is much looked up to by the Sikhimese. 



Being thus deserted, Rani Ming-do-ling also betook herself to Tibet. 



Sliortly after Raja Gyurme returned to Sikhim, but his beha- 

 viour was still inconsistent with his position, as he refused to re- 

 marry — a decision that gave his people and court much concern, as 

 there was then no direct heir to the throne. 



In 1734 the Raja was taken dangerously ill, and being on his 

 death-bed was asked to name his heir. He replied, " his ministers 

 need have no anxiety on the point, as they would find a young nun* 

 tending cattle near Sing-Jyangif the girl is a daughter of Neer- 

 Gahden, of the Tak-chhungtar family, and has had a son by me." 

 This son had been born at Ang-nyekhi-sa, and was called Namgye 

 Penchoo. The Raja shortly afterwards died. 



rNAM-rGYAL PHUN-TSHOGS 



Was born in 1733. 



At this date the Kazis or, more correctly, the Jongpens (local 

 governors) were chosen from the fourteen leading families : the head 

 among them was one Changzed Tamdi (rTa-mGrui) of the Tshd-chu- 

 tar family : he headed the opposition and refused to acknowledge the 

 legitimacy of Namgu(i Penchoo, and assumed the reins of government. 

 For three years or so Tamdi and his party were successful, but finally 



* Probably of Sangacbelling. 

 t A graziag place near Dubde. 



