The Limboo (Limbu or Yakthung) people are an ancient indigenous community of the Eastern Himalayas, mainly inhabiting eastern Nepal, Sikkim, and parts of Northeast India such as Darjeeling and Assam. Their political history is defined by a blend of legendary monarchs and historical rulers who governed the territory known as Limbuwan. Limbuwan was traditionally a confederation of semi-autonomous kingdoms, each led by a king—known locally as Hang or Subba—who played pivotal roles as political leaders, spiritual custodians, and defenders of indigenous Limbu culture and land rights. This article explores both the legendary and historical kings of the Limboo people, situating them within their socio-political and cultural contexts.
The Era of the Ten Limbu Kings (circa 550 to 1609 AD)
Limbuwan was initially divided into ten distinct kingdoms, each ruled by a king or Hang. These rulers collectively consolidated Limbu territories and defined the boundaries of Limbuwan from the northern Tibetan border extending southward into what is now the Indian state of Bihar and parts of West Bengal, and eastward until the river Teesta and westward by the Arun River. The confederation, formed through consensus among the ten Limbu kings, laid the foundation for a unified Limbu identity and a sophisticated geopolitical structure.
| King Name | Kingdom/Region | Capital or Seat |
|---|---|---|
| Samlupi Samba Hang | Tambar | Tambar Yiok |
| Sisiyen Shering Hang | Mewa and Maiwa | Meringden Yiok |
| Thoktokso Angbo Hang | Athraya | Pomajong |
| Thindolung Khokya Hang | Yangwarok | Hastapojong Yiok |
| Yengaso Papo Hang | Panthar | Yashok / Phedim |
| Shengsengum Phedap Hang | Phedap | Poklabung |
| Mung Tai Chi Emay Hang | Ilam | Phakphok |
| Soiyak Lado Hang | Bodhey / Miklung | Shanguri Yiok |
| Tappeso Perung Hang | Thala | Thala Yiok |
| Taklung Khewa Hang | Chethar / Chamling | Yiok / Chimling Yiok |
The ten kings administered their territories through hereditary systems while maintaining strong alliances with each other. The kingship was not only a political role but also a custodial position overseeing rituals, land management, and communal resources under the Kipat land tenure system. This system ensured clan-based collective ownership and prevented land alienation to outsiders.
King Srijunga Sing Thebe: The Cultural Revolutionary (Early 18th Century)
Perhaps the most celebrated individual among the Limboo kings and cultural figures was King Srijunga Sing Thebe of the Yangwarok kingdom. He emerged in the early 1700s as both a monarch and a scholar. Srijunga revived the Limbu script, standardized the recitation of the Mundhum, and promoted Limbu literature. A committed reformer, he countered the growing influence of Tibetan Buddhism and the Brahminical Hindu culture that threatened Limbu religious traditions.
His efforts prioritized education in the Limbu language, religious revivalism, and cultural preservation. However, his ascendency alarmed the entrenched religious establishment of the time, eventually leading to his martyrdom in Sikkim, where he was killed by Tibetan lamas fearful of his influence. His death marked the end of the direct Limbu alliance with the Namgyal dynasty of Sikkim and heralded a period of greater Limbu political independence.
The Namgyal Dynasty’s Influence and Limbu Kings (1641–1741)
After 1641, with the enthronement of King Phuntsog Namgyal in Sikkim, a new political dynamic emerged. Several Limbu kingdoms allied with the Namgyal rulers, strengthening cultural and political bonds. The Limbu kings in eastern and northern Limbuwan acknowledged the Namgyal monarch as an overlord but retained considerable local autonomy.
The Namgyal period saw battles, shifting alliances, and the spread of Tibetan Buddhism. Limbu kings balanced indigenous religious practices with pressures from new hegemonies. However, the alliance fractured following the death of key kings and political turmoil in Sikkim. The killing of Srijunga Sing Thebe compounded tensions, leading Limbu kings to sever ties with the Namgyal rulers and assert full independence by the mid-18th century.
Later Historical Kings and the Gorkha Annexation (18th Century)
In the latter half of the 18th century, the Gorkha Kingdom, under King Prithvi Narayan Shah, expanded aggressively into Limbuwan. Despite initial resistance by Limbu chiefs, the region was annexed through both military campaigns and treaty arrangements, notably the “Noon Pani Treaty” of 1774.
Under this treaty, Limbu kings were integrated as Subbas (hereditary chiefs) within the greater Nepali state structure. They retained administrative, judicial, and ritual authority over their ancestral lands and were tasked with enforcing Gorkha sovereignty. This agreement recognized Limbu customary laws and protected the Kipat land tenure, though these rights slowly eroded under future centralizing policies.
| Name | Kingdom/ Area | Notable Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Bhauiputahang | Limbuwan (circa 18th century) | First independent king of Limbuwan; consolidated clan alliances and territory |
| Srijunga Sing Thebe | Yangwarok | Cultural revival of Limbu script and Mundhum; martyrdom |
| Tang Hang | Panchthar | Noted for resisting external invasions and maintaining Kipat rights |
| Subba Buddhi Karna | Morang | Led anti-Gorkha uprisings; defender of Limbuwan autonomy |
Legacy of Limboo Kings
The kingship and leadership of the Limboo people have played an enduring role in shaping Limbu ethnic identity, cultural preservation, and territorial governance. While the political authority of the kings diminished under centralized state influences in Nepal and India, their cultural and symbolic importance persists. Modern Limboos look back to their kings as guardians of tradition, protectors of land, and bringers of cultural renaissance.
Additionally, the royal legacies intertwine with religious leadership, where kings often overlapped with priestly duties, and the recitation of the Mundhum served as a binding document of social contract and historical memory. Their stories and rituals connected the community with ancestral spirits, nature, and the cosmic order.
Today, various organizations and cultural forums celebrate the contributions of these legendary and historic kings through festivals, literature, and oral storytelling, reinforcing Limboo identity and pride across national boundaries.
Conclusion
The legacy of Limboo kings spans from the legendary unification and defense of Limbuwan’s territory during the era of ten chiefs to the cultural revivals led by figures like Srijunga Sing Thebe and the political challenges faced during Gorkha annexation. These kings, whether legendary or historical, have shaped the Limboo people’s resilience, cultural continuity, and self-governance. Though their political power was eclipsed in the modern era, their role as cultural icons and custodians of tradition continues to influence the Limbu community's identity today.
References
- Limbu History – किरात याक्थुङ चुम्लुङ यूके, 2025.
- The Sikkimese Limboo: A historical retrospection, Buddhi Khamdhak, 2017.
- History of Limbuwan, Sekmuri Foundation, 2024.
- History of Limbuwan, Wikipedia, 2008.
- Limbus of Darjeeling Himalaya: A Socio-Historical Overview, North Bengal University, 2025.
- Mundhum: Exploring the Narratives of Limbu Community, 2022.
- Loyalty, Resistance, Subalterneity: A History of Limbu Chiefs, Taylor & Francis Online, 2023.