Lands Of The Thunderbolt Sikhim, Chumbi & Bhutan

Some explanation of the title which the author has given to this volume is, perhaps, called for. The countries described are situated in the Eastern Himalayas on the northern borders of Bengal. They contain some of the most impressive mountain scenery in the world; and if their interest lay solely in their physical characteristics, they would be worthy of the homage of the most blasé traveller. This book is an account of the travelogue of the author who toured extensively in Bhutan and Sikkim, in the early years of the decade of the 1920’s. The thunderbolt is known in the Himalayas as the Vajra or Dorje. It is an unusual elongated bell-shaped vessel whose configuration belies its strength in the hearts of the Himalayan people. It is an entertaining and is rendered interesting by the author’s philosophical bent of mind. He is a keen observer and does not remiss in description. The people are closely watched and their daily life, customs, manners, religion are described with lively interest. It also describes the topography, the monasteries, their rituals, monkhood are all seen and written down by the author. An interesting chapter is provided on the University of Nalanda. The book has a Buddhist tilt, and the author often speculates on the Buddhist philosophies. The book has a detailed map and 32 photographs to delineate the subject in an authentic manner. This book is a reprint of the 1923 edition.