The Bhutia tribe belongs mainly to which state?

The Bhutias (Bhotias) are one of the main communities of Sikkim. They are of Tibetan origin and migrated to Sikkim from Tibet, mainly from the 15th-17th century onwards. In Sikkim they are known as "Lhopo" or "Sikkimese Bhutia". They also live in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong areas of West Bengal.

Key facts about the Bhutias of Sikkim:

• They are followers of Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana), and monasteries such as Rumtek, Pemayangtse and Tashiding are central to their religious life.
• They speak Sikkimese (Bhutia or Lhopo), a Tibetic language written in the Tibetan script.
• Their traditional dress is the "bakhu" (kho), a loose cloak-like robe tied at the waist, worn by both men and women; women also wear the "honju" (blouse) and a striped apron called "pangden" if married.
• Their main festivals are Losar (the Tibetan New Year) and Losoong (the Sikkimese New Year, at the end of the harvest season), as well as Saga Dawa and Pang Lhabsol.

Historically, Bhutias held power in Sikkim. The Namgyal dynasty, which ruled Sikkim as Chogyals (kings) from 1642 until 1975, was of Bhutia origin. The first Chogyal, Phuntsog Namgyal, was crowned at Yuksom in 1642. Sikkim became the 22nd state of India in 1975.

Sikkim's three main ethnic groups are:

• Lepchas: considered the original inhabitants of Sikkim; they call themselves "Rongkup" (children of the snowy peaks).
• Bhutias: of Tibetan origin.
• Nepalis: the largest group today, including the Limbu and Tamang communities.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Mizoram's main people are the Mizos.
• ✗Uttarakhand has a separate community called the Bhotiya, of Pithoragarh and Chamoli.
• ✗Assam's tribes include the Bodo and Mishing.