Gangtok

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?Gangtok Sikkim • India
Gangtok as viewed from the opposite hill
Gangtok
Coordinates: 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33, 88.62
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	25 km² (10 sq mi) • 1,437 m (4,715 ft)[1]
District(s)	East Sikkim
Population • Density	29,162 (2001[update]) • 2,000 /km² (5,180 /sq mi)
Mayor	–
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle	• 737101 • +03592 • SK-01, SK-02, SK-03, SK-04

Coordinates: 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33, 88.62 Gangtok pronunciation (help·info) (Nepali and Hindi: गंगटोक) is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. Gangtok is located in the Sivalik Hills of the eastern Himalayan range, at an altitude of 1,437 metres (4,715 ft). The town, with a population of thirty thousand belonging to different ethnicities such as Nepalis, Lepchas and Bhutia, is administered by various departments of the Government of Sikkim. Nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya and enjoying a year-round mild temperate climate, Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s tourism industry.

Gangtok rose to prominence as a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site after the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840. In 1894, the ruling Sikkimese chogyal, Thutob Namgyal, transferred the capital to Gangtok. In the early 20th century, Gangtok became a major stopover on the trade route between Lhasa in Tibet and cities such as Kolkata (then Calcutta) in British India. After the British granted India its independence in 1947, Sikkim chose to remain an independent monarchy, with Gangtok as its capital. In 1975, after the integration with the union of India, Gangtok was made India's twenty-second state capital.

The precise meaning of the name Gangtok is unclear, though the most popular meaning is "hill top".^[2] Today, Gangtok is a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning, with the presence of several monasteries, religious educational institutions, and centres for Tibetology.

[edit] History

See also: History of Sikkim

Like the rest of Sikkim, not much is known about the early history of Gangtok.^[3] The earliest records date from the construction of the hermitic Gangtok monastery in 1716.^[4] Gangtok remained a small hamlet until the construction of the Enchey Monastery in 1840 made it a pilgrimage center. After the defeat of the Tibetans by the British, Gangtok became a major stopover in the trade between Tibet and British India at the end of the 19th century.^[5] Most of the roads and the telegraph in the area were built during this time.

In 1894, Thutob Namgyal, the Sikkimese monarch under British rule, shifted the capital from Tumlong to Gangtok, increasing its importance. A new grand palace along with other state buildings was built in the new capital. Following India's independence in 1947, Sikkim became a nation-state with Gangtok as its capital. Sikkim became a suzerain of India, with the condition that it would retain its independence, by the treaty signed between the Chogyal and the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.^[6] Trade between India and Tibet continued to flourish through the Nathula and Jelepla passes, offshoots of the ancient Silk Road near Gangtok. These border passes were sealed after the Sino-Indian War in 1962, which deprived Gangtok of its trading business.^[7] In 1975, the monarchy was abrogated and Sikkim became India's twenty-second state, with Gangtok as its capital. Gangtok has witnessed annual landslides, resulting in damage to life and properties. The largest disaster occurred in June 1997, when 38 were killed and hundreds of buildings were destroyed.^[8]

[edit] Geography

Kanchenjunga, the world's third tallest peak, is visible from Gangtok.

Gangtok is located at 27°20′N 88°37′E / 27.33, 88.62.^[9] It is situated in the lower Himalayas at an altitude of 5,500 ft (1,676 m).^[10] In addition to being the state capital, it is the headquarters of the East Sikkim district. The town lies on one side of a hill, with "The Ridge",^[5][11] a promenade housing the governor's residence at one end and the palace, situated at an altitude of about 6,000 ft (1,829 m), at the other. The city is flanked on east and west by two streams, namely Roro Chu and Ranikhola, respectively.^[8] These two rivers divide the natural drainage into two parts, the eastern and western parts. Both the streams meet the Ranipul and flow south as the main Ranikhola before it joins the Teesta at Singtam.^[8] Most of the roads are steep, with the buildings built on compacted ground alongside them.^[12]

Most of Sikkim including Gangtok is covered by the Precambrian rock and is much younger in age. These rock contain phyllites and schists and therefore the slopes are prone to frequent landslides.^[13] Surface runoff of water by natural streams (jhora) and man-made drains has contributed to the risk of landslides.^[8] According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the town falls under seismic zone-IV, (on a scale of I to V, in order of increasing proneness to earthquakes) near the convergent boundary of the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates and is subject to frequent quakes. The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges tower over the town in the distance. Mount Kanchenjunga (8,598 m or 28,208 ft)—the world's third-highest peak—is visible to the east of the city. The existence of steep slopes, vulnerability to landslides, large forest cover and inadequate access to most areas has been a major impediment to the natural and balanced growth of the city.^[8]

There are densely forested regions around Gangtok, consisting of temperate, deciduous forests of poplar, birch, oak, and elm, as well as evergreen, coniferous trees of the wet alpine.^[13] Orchids are common, and rare varieties of orchids are featured in flower shows in the city. Bamboos are also abundant. In the lower reaches of the town, the vegetation gradually changes from alpine to subtropical and temperate deciduous.^[13] Flowers such as sunflower, marigold, poinsettia, and others bloom especially in November and December.

[edit] Climate