Sikkim (1642–1975)

Kingdom of Sikkim

A Himalayan Buddhist kingdom wedged between Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, Sikkim was ruled by the Chogyal dynasty for 333 years before a 1975 referendum made it India's 22nd state.

When Sikkim's monarchy ended in 1975, the same royal house had reigned since 1642 — longer than the Romanovs ruled Russia.