Obituary: Denjong Gyalsey Kushon Jigdal Tsewang Namgyal

Denjong Gyalsey Kushon (Younger Sikkimese Prince) Jigdal Tsewang Namgyal was born on
August 23, 1928 at the Palace, Gangtok. He was the youngest son of Their Highnesses, the
11th Denjong Chogyal Tashi Namgyal and Maharani Kunzang Dechhen Tshomo Namgyal.
Following his demise on October 30, 2014 at the age of 86, perhaps it is the end of a genteel
era of Sikkims history.
Gyalsey JT Namgyal was affectionately known as Gyalsey Georgela. Sikkim was then under
British rule, and the Sikkimese royal family had cordial relations with the British Political
Officer for Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet who was based in Gangtok. The strong British
influence- P.O. Charles Bell personally groomed his father, Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, to take
over the reins of the administration of the kingdom- explained why the royal children had
British nicknames.
Gyalsey Georgela received a fine western education at the most prestigious of educational
institutions in India and abroad: St. Josephs College, Darjeeling; Bishop Cotton School,
Shimla; St. Stephens College, Delhi; and Christ Church College, University of Oxford. He
was a brilliant student and proved his academic genius by consistently topping his class. He
topped St. Stephens where he majored in History Honours. He was only 17 years when he
graduated from college. He earned further laurels by making it to the elite Christ Church
College at the University of Oxford.
It is from his letters sent home from Bishop Cotton School to his father that much of his
innate goodness of nature emerges. These are still carefully preserved in the Palace files. He
was a conscientious child, always applying himself diligently to his school work; this
discipline, coupled with his natural intelligence, always resulted in high marks and glowing
testimonials from his tutors. The young prince always made it a point to reassure his father
that he was working hard and topping the class and hoped it pleased his royal father. His
many report cards show that he was equally adept at all the many subjects he studied.
He was also a talented artist, much like Chogyal Tashi Namgyal, and always signed off every
letter home with a pencil sketch as varied as two boxers or a horse. Additionally, he was a
fine equestrian and enjoyed horse-riding; there is a yellowed clipping from a Shimla
newspaper tucked away in the Palace files announcing that the Prince of Sikkim had won an
award for his excellent horsemanship.
Although his elder brothers, Crown Prince Kunzang Cholay Namgyal aka Paljor Namgyal
and Prince Palden Thondup Namgyal were also studying at Bishops concurrently, they were
7 and 5 years older to him respectively. Like typical elder brothers, they seem to have
considered their young brother something of an impatience and were glad, they wrote, that
every weekend, George has again been invited to his friends home, and we have not even
seen his face. On his part, young Georgela, shy and academically inclined, apparently ran
away when he saw his older and more physical brothers. Interestingly, while the two older
Princes routinely wrote home to their father asking him to send more money for festivals and
birthdays, it was young Georgela who stoically averred that he still had money left over and

would not need more to be sent. This despite getting the princely sum of five rupees to his
brothers fifteen or twenty.
Following the untimely demise of Crown Prince Paljor in WWII in 1941, Palden Thondup
Namgyal became the heir apparent and Georgela was being groomed to assist him in the
administration of the kingdom. Upon completing his studies in England and returning home,
Georgela became the first Development Commissioner of Sikkim. Mr. K.C. Pradhan, former
Chief Secretary of Sikkim, reminisces: My immediate reflection of him was Dewan
Rustomji in his grey bakhu standing on top of the stairs of lower Secretariat waiting for
Georgela and the latter walking briskly up the stairs. Dewan Rustomji had made it a point to
give him a lift to go to the Palace for lunch every working day. He was Development
Commissioner then and his office was located in the same floor along with Forest and
Agriculture. He was brilliant and we were often told his grasp of subjects and notations in
files were superb, besides which he was a voracious reader. Dewan Rustomji loved him and
was keen he should get fully involved in Sikkim administration.
Indifferent health issues cut short Gyalsey Georgelas career in the administration. His
mother decided it was time he married. She threw a garden party at Arunachal, the
Kalimpong house of his sister, Princess Pema Tsedeun Yabshi- Pheunkhang, where she had
invited about 10-12 prospective brides for him. Gyalsey Georgela dutifully checked out all
the young ladies but made no comment. It was only when they had returned home to Sikkim
that he announced his choice, the beautiful young daughter, Sonam Yangchenla aka
Soyangla, of the aristocratic Tibetan family of Namseling.
The Maharani was a little puzzled that he had chosen someone so young, 18 years his junior.
But such is what we Sikkimese call thamzi. After getting engaged in 1960, Gyalsey
Georgela and Lhacham Soyangla were married in 1961. They had two children in quick
succession, son Jigmela in 1962 and daughter Gawala in 1964. Gyalsey Georgela was
plagued by health issues for much of his subsequent life. It was thamzi that he chose
Lhacham Soyangla as she is the true embodiment of the title Lhacham which means
heavenly consort. Her infinite patience, unwavering commitment and lifelong dedication to
her late husband is the stuff legends are made of. It was only because of her steadfast
presence and staunch devotion that the Prince lived so long and defeated so many bouts of
illness that required hospitalisation.
Due to his health issues, Gyalsey Georgela was often confined to bed rest and hence led a
quiet retired life in his Development Area residence, Tashi Gartsel. Lhacham Kusho
recollects, He was such a nice, kind man. He never harmed anyone. He never spoke ill of
anyone. His daughter Gawa Yangchenla avers that he was a kind and compassionate father
and much loved and adored by his grandchildren. When he was well, he used to joke with
them. Even when ill, he was affectionate and caring. Those that knew the departed Prince
vouch that he was always unfailingly courteous and large-hearted.
In true Buddhist tradition, Gyalsey Georgela thus left behind this lasting legacy of kindness
and compassion. He touched the hearts of all who knew him and loved him.

Wednesday, November 5, is the day of his funeral. The Government of Sikkim has declared it
a state holiday. His mortal remains will be consigned to the flames on the slopes of the
Lukshyama royal crematorium where all the members of the Namgyal dynasty have
traditionally been cremated. And his gentle legacy will reverberate through every Sikkimese
heart that beats there and waft into collective consciousness.
Om mani padme hung!

Tenzin C. Tashi
Sr. Researcher,
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.