AC3PT 1970 Sikkim

Rubber stamp and info from the reverse side of K2IXP QSL card.

The Himalaya Kingdom Sikkim is (was) a super rare DX country. Palden Thondup Namgyal, the Chogyal (King, Maharadscha) born 1923, died of cancer in the USA in 1982, was the last and 12th king of Sikkim. He was a DX treat to the stalwart who could make the pile ups. At the age of 6 he was a convent student, from 8 to 11 he studied to ordain monkhood. In 1949 Sikkim had independence from India. In 1963 the king married Hope Cooke, an American debutante (23 years old). This wedding brought much attention to Sikkim.

In 1975 Sikkim joined the Union of India becoming its 22nd union state. There were clashes between the Indian Troops who had already been in the country and the Royal Palace Guard. See the letter from the Chogyial addressed to me describing the events.

The Chogyal had to undergo cancer surgery in the USA. Due to complication from surgery he expired in NYC at the age of 52. His son from a first marriage was named the 13th Chogyial (king), but the position no longer confers any official authority. (Wikipedia).

AC3PT Palden Thondup Namgyal, King of Sikkim

AC3PT with his American wife, Queen Hope Cooke

Location of Sikkim

QSL SSA QSL Archives
Courtesy of SM6JSM
Photos courtesy of DJ9KR