The Chogyal were the monarchs of the former kingdom of Sikkim. The Chogyal or divine ruler was the absolute potentate of the nation from 1642 to 1975, when the monarchy was abrogated and the people voted to make Sikkim India's 22nd state. However, Chogyal meaning "Dharma Raja" or "Religious King" 's a title which was also conferred upon a special class of temporal and spiritual rulers. In Bhutan the Chogyal were also known as the Dharmaraja, or Kings of Dharma, and Shabdrung. In this context,… (More on Chogyal)