Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal (1879–5 December 1914) was the ruling Maharaja and Chogyal of Sikkim for a brief period in 1914, from 10 February to 5 December.
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He was the eldest son and heir of Maharaja Sri Panch Sir Thutob Namgyal, and was educated at St. Paul's School, Darjeeling and at Pembroke College, Oxford. A polyglot, he was learned in Chinese, English, Hindi, Lepcha, Nepali and Tibetan.
He was recognized as the reincarnation of his uncle, Sidkeong Namgyal, the abbot of Phodong Monastery.[1] Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal reconstructed the monastery.[2]
When Alexandra David-Néel was invited to the royal monastery of Sikkim, she met Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal, at that time Maharaj Kumar (crown prince). She became Sidkeong's "confidante and spiritual sister",[3] perhaps her lover.[4]
Following an attack of jaundice, Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal died of heart failure on 5 December 1914, aged 35, in most suspicious circumstances.[5][6] He was succeeded by his younger brother, Tashi Namgyal.
Palden Thondup Namgyal was subsequently recognized as the reincarnate leader of Phodong.[7]
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Sidkeong Tulku Namgyal
Born: 1879 Died: 5 December 1914 |
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| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Thutob Namgyal |
Chogyal of Sikkim 1914 |
Succeeded by Tashi Namgyal |