The correct answer is: a) Sikkim
Sikkim is a small state in the eastern Himalayas, located between India and Bhutan. It was an independent kingdom until 1975, when it became an Indian state.
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, many British women and children fled to Sikkim to escape the violence. The British government was grateful for the hospitality of the Sikkimese government and people, and in 1861, the British government granted Sikkim a subsidy of 10,000 rupees per year.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Bhutan is a landlocked country located in the eastern Himalayas, between India and China. It was an independent kingdom until 2008, when it became a constitutional monarchy.
- Nepal is a landlocked country located in the central Himalayas, between India and China. It was an independent kingdom until 2008, when it became a federal republic.
- Tibet is a region in the eastern Himalayas, located between China and India. It was an independent country until 1950, when it was annexed by China.