Unlike some other parts of India, Sikkim did not have:

The correct answer is: a) Large and powerful zamindar estates.

Zamindar estates were large landholdings owned by a small number of wealthy landlords, known as zamindars. These estates were common in many parts of India, but they did not exist in Sikkim.

Sikkim was a small kingdom in the Himalayas that was ruled by a hereditary monarchy. The king had a strong central authority and there were no large landholdings owned by a small number of wealthy landlords.

The other options are incorrect because:

• Sikkim did have a strong tradition of central authority.
• Sikkim did have hierarchical social structures.
• Sikkim did have diverse ethnic and religious communities.