Town (pop., 2001 prelim.: 29,162), capital of Sikkim state, northeastern India.
At an elevation of 5,600 ft (1,700 m), it overlooks the Ranipool River. It was the governmental seat of the kingdom of Sikkim until the monarchy was abolished (1975) and India annexed Sikkim (1976). It was an important point on the India-Tibet trade route until the border with Tibet was closed in 1962. The former royal palace and chapel are located there; the noted Buddhist monastery of Rumtek is nearby.