Sikkim lies in the Eastern Himalayas. Being a region which had its geophysical
uniqueness owing to its location and climate conditions, human inhabitation
was sparse. It was only in 1641 that it was given a political entity.
The population inhabiting this area were of Indo-Mongoloid, Tibetan
or Nepalese origin. The population of the region is rural and tribal.
The influence of the Buddhism has created a unique culture, different
from other parts of the country. The tribals had little contact with the
other parts of the country. Agriculture through jhum cultivation besides
animal rearing formed their important occupation. The Lepchas and the
Bhutias who came from the regions of Tibet settled in Sikkim.
