57 
1891.] L. A. Waddell— Place and River-Names in Sikhim, Sfc. 
Bhotiyas and Limbus, formed the population of Sikhim; and tliis 
simplicity of ethnic constitution remained undisturbed (except for a 
brief incursion of Ghorkhas about the beginning of the present century, 
the intruders, however, being soon expelled by the British) until the 
British occupation of Darjiling as a Sanitarium. This latter event, 
which took place in 1837 was speedily followed by a large addition to 
the population, consisting mainly of Nepali or ‘ Pahdriyd ’ (Hindi for 
‘ hill-man ’)* settlers from Eastern Nepal.f This great influx of Nepalis 
during the past few decades, although comprising very numerous and 
distinct tribes, (viz., Newars, Kiranti, Murmi, Gurung, Mangar or Magar 
Khas &c., all more or less Mongoloid in type and until recently each 
speaking widely different dialects) is from a linguistic point of view 
practically homogenous, from the great majority of these tribes having 
adopted the Sanskritie ‘ Parbatiya ’ dialect along with the Hindu 
ceremonial of their Gorkhali rulers. 
The Bhotan Bhotiyas or Duk-pa. —The portion of Bhotan annexed 
to the Darjiling district in 1882 had previously contained only a very 
few settlements of Bhotan Bhotiyas (or ‘ Du/c-pa , ) and Lepchas. This 
tract being also thrown open to emigrants, a large portion was soon 
occupied by Nepalis, and a not inconsiderable number of refugees from 
independent Bhotan, and a few Tibetan Bhotiyas or Po-pa. 
Simplicity of the linguistic elements. —Linguistically then, there 
may be considered to be, and to have been, only three generically 
distinct languages prevalent among the settled inhabitants of Sikhim 
and the Darjiling district, viz., the (1) Lepclia (or Rong-ring) with 
# So sparsely was Sikhim populated that Dr. Campbell estimated (‘ The 
Oriental ’ January, 1874, p. 13) that, at the British occupation of Darjiling, the popu¬ 
lation of Native Sikhim was not more than 5 to the square mile : in the proportion 
of Lepchas 3,000, Bhotiyas 2,000,and Limbus 2,000. While in the southern third 
of Sikhim forming the Darjiling Hill Tract the total population amounted only to 
about 100 ! In 1849 the population of the latter area had, by attracting settlers 
from Nepal, Sikhim and Bhotan, increased to about 10,000, and the Census of 1881 
showed the population of the Darjiling district, including the added strip of Bhutan 
to the east of the Tista, to amount to 155,645, and the 1891 Census brings the 
number over 200,000. The population is still increasing, and Native Sikhim also 
shares in this increase, although at a much less rapid rate. 
f The Gorklias, now the ruling race of Nepal, derive their name immediately 
from the town of Gorkha which is about 60 miles W. N. W. from Katmandu 
(Oldfield’s ‘ Nipal,’ Yol. I), and which formed the first location of their Bajput 
ancestors in the Himalayas; but this place-name is in its turn derived from the 
eponymous deity of the now royal family, viz., Gorakhanath, who seems to be a 
form of S'iva (Cunningham’s Anc. Geog., p. 165). Only a small proportion of the 
members of our so-called ‘Gorkha 5 regiments are really Gorkhas, the majority are 
Mangar, Gurung, Kiranti, &c. 
H 
