Gaeboo Achyok

[1] The region consisting of present-day Sikkim, Chumbi Valley and western Bhutan was largely a frontier territory since early seventeenth century.

[7] Around the same time, the Bhutanese state was getting unified under Ngawang Namgyal and would enter into a protracted conflict with an expansionist Tibet — the first war was fought in late 1650s, which the Tibetans lost comprehensively.

[14] In the meanwhile, Bhutan's religio-military assault kept on the rise with chronicles recording a dispatch of forces to nearby Dagana in 1650, to subdue recalcitrant monpas — this might have affected Damsang as well.

[15] Despite these hurdles, including what he notes to be an increased presence of Bhutanese monks, Gyaltshan managed to exert significant command in the local population.

[11][13] By the time he returned c. 1663, more Lamas from Bhutan had encroached on his territories and a local Lepcha chieftain, Gaeebo Achyok, had assumed control.

[11][f][g] In 1668 Gaeboo Achyok sought assistance from the 5th Dalai Lama, and had an audience with him at Lhasa; that, Bhutanese expansions had triggered conflicts with the Tibetans on multiple fronts, he expected a favorable response.

[21][10] Early in 1675, Achyok informed the Tibetans that the Bhutanese were secretly preparing for an all-out offensive against him before the expiry of the peace treaty.

[22][19] While routine border incursions were commonplace,[10] this was an unprecedented development and the Dalai Lama ordered a preemptive attack, which was carried out, burning a frontier outpost at Tendung.

[10][24] Rituals were held in Punakha for the vitalization of Bhutan's forces and by the third month of 1676, the fort was taken back; Gaeboo Achyok was captured and executed while his territories were annexed.

[24] War preparations were initiated, and months later, Tibet would mount the largest ever invasion of Bhutan with eleven columns of army aiming to besiege them from all sides.

Damsang shown on the trade route between Kalimpong and the Chumbi Valley; Daling is to the southeast of Damsang. ( Sir Richard Temple , 1881) [ b ]