{"product_id":"ajita-a-novel","title":"SMASH AND GRAB: ANNEXATION OF SIKKIM","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height:1.8; color:#333; max-width:900px; margin:auto;\"\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 style=\"background:#6A1B9A; color:#FFFFFF; padding:15px 20px; border-radius:8px; text-align:center; margin-bottom:20px;\"\u003e\n    Smash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim\n  \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eSmash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim\u003c\/strong\u003e is an intimate and gripping account\n    of the dramatic final days of the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim before it became India's\n    twenty-second state. Written by renowned journalist \u003cstrong\u003eSunanda K. Datta-Ray\u003c\/strong\u003e,\n    this historic work uncovers the political intrigue, diplomacy and power struggles that\n    shaped one of the most significant events in modern Indian history.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#2E7D32; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    📖 About the Book\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    First published in 1984, \u003cstrong\u003eSmash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim\u003c\/strong\u003e became a\n    landmark account of how a protected Himalayan kingdom transformed into India's\n    twenty-second state. Based on rare documents and the author's firsthand observations,\n    the book presents an authentic narrative of the political events surrounding Sikkim's\n    annexation.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Through vivid storytelling, Datta-Ray brings alive the world of royal ceremonies,\n    Buddhist rituals, diplomatic manoeuvring and espionage surrounding the Sikkimese\n    monarchy. The book explores the lives of key personalities including the last Chogyal\n    of Sikkim, \u003cstrong\u003ePalden Thondup Namgyal\u003c\/strong\u003e, his American queen\n    \u003cstrong\u003eHope Cooke\u003c\/strong\u003e, and political figures who influenced the kingdom's future.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Set against the backdrop of the twentieth-century geopolitical rivalry between India\n    and China, the book examines the complex relationship between regional politics,\n    international strategy and the aspirations of the people of Sikkim.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    With its blend of history, political analysis and investigative journalism,\n    \u003cstrong\u003eSmash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim\u003c\/strong\u003e reads like a compelling thriller\n    while offering a detailed account of an important chapter in India's history.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#1565C0; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    ✨ Key Highlights\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eThe definitive account of Sikkim’s transformation from kingdom to Indian state.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBased on firsthand reporting and previously unseen historical documents.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eExplores royal life, diplomacy, espionage and political struggles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eFeatures the dramatic story of Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal and Hope Cooke.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eProvides insights into India-China relations and Himalayan geopolitics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA fascinating blend of history, journalism and political analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#8E24AA; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    ✍️ About the Author\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eSunanda K. Datta-Ray\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of India's foremost experts on the\n    Himalayan states and a distinguished journalist with over five decades of experience.\n    His lifelong interest in Himalayan societies began with his first visit to Gangtok in\n    1960, leading him to develop deep knowledge of the region's history, culture and politics.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Datta-Ray has worked with leading international publications and served as the South\n    Asia correspondent for \u003cstrong\u003eThe Observer\u003c\/strong\u003e, London. He has also been Editor\n    of \u003cstrong\u003eThe Statesman\u003c\/strong\u003e, Editorial Consultant to the Straits Times group,\n    Editor-in-Residence at the East-West Center in Honolulu and Senior Research Fellow at\n    Singapore's Institute of South-East Asian Studies.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    His other acclaimed works include \u003cstrong\u003eLooking East to Look West: Lee Kuan Yew's\n    Mission India\u003c\/strong\u003e, which won the Vodafone Crossword Award for Non-Fiction in 2009,\n    along with \u003cstrong\u003eBihar Shows the Way\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eWaiting for America: India\n    and the US in the New Millennium\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    Recognised for his contribution to journalism and public understanding, Datta-Ray\n    received the \u003cstrong\u003eFreedom of Information Award\u003c\/strong\u003e in 1990 and continues to\n    write on politics, diplomacy and international affairs.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"background:#F57C00; color:#FFFFFF; padding:12px 18px; border-radius:6px;\"\u003e\n    📚 Why Read This Book?\n  \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003e\n    \u003cstrong\u003eSmash and Grab: Annexation of Sikkim\u003c\/strong\u003e is an essential read for anyone\n    interested in Indian history, diplomacy, Himalayan politics and international\n    relations. Combining investigative journalism with historical depth, this book\n    captures the fascinating story of a kingdom caught between tradition, ambition and\n    changing geopolitical realities.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Westland Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45498976272493,"sku":null,"price":899.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0702\/0445\/7069\/files\/81Pv5SzvyjL._SL1500_a698d1a9-e5e8-4883-a9d7-a070a048ff05.jpg?v=1784913328","url":"https:\/\/the99books.in\/products\/ajita-a-novel","provider":"The 99 Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}