Gangtok (pop. 25,024) is the capital of the Indian state of Sikkim. Sikkim became a state in 1975, but Gangtok was also the capital of Sikkim during the rule of Phuntsog Namgyal (1604-1670) and his descendants. Sikkim was governed by chogyals (kings) from the 1600's until 1975. In the 1800's, the British gained control of Sikkim, and in 1890, it was recognized as a British protectorate. In 1935, under the Government of India Act, Sikkim was defined as an Indian princely state. In 1975, Sikkim became a state of the Indian Union. The institution of chogyal was abolished and a governor appointed, as was the case with all Indian states.