Author:

Dr. Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia
1Associate Professor
Department of History
Nar Bahadur Bhandari Degree College,
Tadong, Sikkim, India

Email: jigmewangchukbhutia9@mai.com

Abstract:: :Trade has been a fundamental aspect of human civilization, shaping economic, social, and
political structures across regions. In the Eastern Himalayas, trade networks played a crucial role in
sustaining communities, particularly in Sikkim, where the rugged topography limited large-scale
agriculture. The Lepchas and Bhutias, two indigenous communities of Sikkim, emerged as tribal
entrepreneurs, engaging in trans-Himalayan trade that connected Tibet, Nepal, and the Indian
plains..The Bhutias, particularly the Lachenpas, Lachungpas, and Tromopas, relied on seasonal
transhumance and trade, leveraging their geographical proximity to Tibet. They specialized in the
exchange of livestock products, black wool, and traditional handicrafts, while also maintaining
extensive economic ties with Tibetan merchants. The Lepchas of Dzongu, originally hunter-gatherers,
transitioned into trade by bartering forest products like red dye wood for Tibetan salt and wool. Their
commercial ventures extended into Darjeeling, where they participated in larger trading circuits. The
Indo-Tibetan trade, which flourished until its closure in 1962, significantly contributed to Sikkim’s
economic landscape, with communities like the Tromopas emerging as key players in the KalimpongLhasa trade. Despite geopolitical shifts and modernization, the historical legacy of the Lepchas and
Bhutias as entrepreneurial traders highlights their adaptive strategies and resilience in navigating
complex economic networks.

Key Words::Bhutia, Eastern Himalayan Trade, Sikkimese Economy, Lepcha Traders etc.