Trilochan Pokhrel (died 1969) was the first Indian independence activist from Sikkim. In Sikkim and

North Bengal North Bengal ( bn, উত্তরবঙ্গ/উত্তর বাংলা) is a term used for the north-western part of Bangladesh and northern part of West Bengal. The Bangladesh part denotes the Rajshahi Division and Rangpur Division. Gen ...

, Pokhrel is popularly called 'Bandey Pokhrel'.

Early life

Pokhrel was born at

Tareythang Tareythang is a small village located in Pakyong sub division at the Pakyong District of Sikkim state in India. This village is about 1250 m above sea level with a sub-tropical climate. It is 12 kilometers away from Pakyong. In electoral roll of ...

Takchang, in East Sikkim. Trilochan Pokhrel was highly influenced by the movements of Mahatma Gandhi, which were based on the fundamental principles of peace and non-violence. He was actively involved in Gandhi's movements, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement and the

Quit India Movement The Quit India Movement, also known as the August Kranti Movement, was a movement launched at the Bombay session of the All India Congress Committee by Mahatma Gandhi on 8th August 1942, during World War II, demanding an end to British rule in ...

. Mr. Pokherl had immense faith in the teaching of simple life led by Mahatma Gandhi. Pokhrel is known for propagating the concept of

Swadeshi The Swadeshi movement was a self-sufficiency movement that was part of the Indian independence movement and contributed to the development of Indian nationalism. Before the BML Government's decision for the partition of Bengal was made public in ...

among the Sikkimese peasantry. Late Pokhrel was the first Sikkimese freedom fighter who fought against British hegemony. Actually, Sikkim was a protectorate state of the British. In the year 1861, the signature of the Treaty of Tumlong effectively made Sikkim a de facto protectorate of British India. This had a huge impact on Sikkim's Sovereignty. The appointment of John Claude White, a Political officer established new landholdings in Sikkim. Direct or Indirect influence of Britishers in Sikkim made Trilochan Pokhrel join the mainstream Indian Freedom Moment.

Honours

* 2018 - LD Kazi Award for Democratic Movement by

Government of Sikkim The Government of Sikkim also known as the State Government of Sikkim is the subnational government of the Indian state of Sikkim and its 6 districts, created by the National Constitution as the legislative, executive and judicial authority to ...

(Posthumous)

References

1969 deaths Year of birth missing People from Pakyong district Indian Gorkhas Swadeshi activists Indian independence activists from Sikkim Hindu activists {{India-activist-stub