April, 1848. SIKKIM KAJAH AND DEWAN. 117 



annum was granted to him as an equivalent for what 

 was then a worthless uninhabited mountain. In 184Q_ 

 Dr. Campbell was removed from Nepal as superintendent 

 of the new station, and was entrusted with the charge of 

 the political relations between the British and Sikkini 

 government. 



Once established, Dorjiling rapidly increased. Allot- 

 ments of land were purchased by Europeans for building 

 dwelling-houses ; barracks and a bazaar were formed, with 

 accommodation for invalid European soldiers ; a few 

 official residents, civil and military, formed the nucleus 

 of a community, which was increased by retired officers 

 and their families, and by temporary visitors in search of 

 health, or the luxury of a cool climate and active exercise. 



For the first few years matters went on smoothly with 

 the Rajah, whose minister (or Dewan) was upright and 

 intelligent : but the latter, on his death, was suc- 

 ceeded by the present Dewan, a Tibetan, and a relative 

 of the Ranee (or Rajah's wife) ; a man unsurpassed for 

 insolence and avarice, whose aim was to monopolise the 

 trade of the country, and to enrich himself at its expense. 

 Every obstacle was thrown by him in the way of a good 

 understanding between Sikkim and the British government. 

 British subjects were rigorously excluded from Sikkim ; 

 every liberal offer for free trade and intercourse was re- 

 jected, generally with insolence ; merchandise was taxed, 

 and notorious offenders, refugees from the British territo- 

 ries, were harboured ; despatches were detained j and the 

 Vakeels, or Rajah's representatives, were chosen for their 

 insolence and incapacity. The conduct of the Dewan 

 throughout was Indo-Chinese ; assuming, insolent, aggres- 

 sive, never perpetrating open violence, but by petty insults 

 effectually preventing all good understanding. He was met 



