Westphalia to Eastphalia: conceptualising Sikkimese identity formation in light of the Blood Brotherhood Treaty

The treaty of Westphalia (1648), which laid the foundation of the modern nation-state system, remains a key reference point in International Relations scholarship. However, the continued dominance of Euro-American epistemological frameworks has often marginalised alternative histories and knowledge traditions. Against this backdrop, this study examines Sikkim’s thirteenth-century Blood Brotherhood Treaty through the broader Eastphalian paradigm, exploring its relevance as an alternative framework for understanding collective identity, social cohesion and peaceful existence. Drawing on Gayatri Spivak’s concept of Strategic Essentialism, the study advances the notion of Strategic Reification to encapsulate the distinctive process through which a shared Sikkimese identity was forged. It argues that the Treaty fostered unity among diverse communities, promoted harmony, and served as an enduring mechanism for managing inter-community relations. In doing so, the study contributes to broader debates on identity formation and conflict prevention, while assessing the treaty’s potential as an alternative to the dominant Westphalian paradigm.