Consider the following statements regarding the indigenous religious beliefs of the early Lepcha inhabitants of ancient Sikkim: 1. Their traditional animistic belief system is known as Mutit, which involves deep reverence for nature spirits and Mount Khangchendzonga. 2. They practiced extensive Vedic fire sacrifices before the advent of Tibetan Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The early Lepcha inhabitants practiced an indigenous animistic tradition called Mutit, centered on the worship of nature deities and the sacred mountain Khangchendzonga, making the first statement correct. They had no historical connection to Vedic fire sacrifices, which were confined to the distant Gangetic plains during the ancient period, rendering the second statement incorrect. Mutit traditions predated all organized external religious introductions into the eastern Himalayas.