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The Hidden History of Mount Everest: How Colonialism Buried Its True Name

Discover why the World's Highest Peak Should Be Called Sagarmatha, Not Mount Everest. Explore its history, controversy, and true identity.

Sagarmatha vs. Mount Everest: The Battle of Names

The Nepali name of the world's highest peak, popularly known as Mount Everest, is Sagarmatha. It is called Chomolungma in Tibet. A person climbing this peak from the Nepali side receives a certificate that proudly bears the name Sagarmatha, honoring the mountain’s national identity and cultural heritage. But sadly, its indigenous names have been overshadowed globally by the name 'Mount Everest.' A few years ago, Indian journalist Sudhir Chaudhary argued that this peak should be called Mount Sikdar - not Mount Everest. In this article, we will explore why the name of the world's highest, holiest, and most famous Nepali peak became controversial and how the English name Mount Everest became global instead of Sagarmatha and other native names.

Sagarmatha, the original Nepali name for the world’s highest peak

Mountains in Ancient Times: Sacred Peaks Beyond Measurement

In ancient times, mountains were worshiped and given spiritual as well as cultural importance. At that time, no attempt was made to measure the height of the mountains, relying instead on local beliefs and traditional knowledge. Even in medieval times, mountains remained unexplored scientifically. But from the 18th century onwards, European explorers and scientists began to show interest in measuring and mapping the geography of the world including mountains. Advancements in surveying techniques during the 19th century made it easier to measure the height of mountains more accurately. The credit for first measuring the height of Mount Everest goes to the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India.

The Great Trigonometrical Survey Begins

In 1802, 'The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India' was initiated to determine the location, height and names of the world's highest mountains. The team started the survey from the southern part of India and reached the border of Nepal in 1830. The surveyors sought permission to enter Nepal so that they could measure the heights of the mountains from a closer distance. However, they were not allowed entry as the Nepali authorities were suspicious of their intentions. Later, the British continued the survey from various places near the Indian border by establishing survey stations.

The Discovery of Peak XV: A Hidden Giant Emerges

In 1847, a team led by Surveyor General Andrew Waugh measured the height of Mount Kanchenjunga. At that time, Kanchenjunga was called the highest mountain. Andrew and his team had seen an object 125 km ahead of Kanchenjunga. The observation was made from Sewajpore Station. But the visibility was not good from there which made it difficult to measure the height at that time. They initially named it 'Peak XV' with Roman numerals. James Nicolson was given the responsibility for further observation. He collected data from various places, but the calculations were not completed due to illness.

Radhanath Sikdar's Historic Calculation

Eventually, the data collected by James Nicolson was handed over to Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician working in Dehradun. Surveyor General Andrew Waugh tasked Radhanath Sikdar to calculate it. According to Sikdar's first calculation in 1852, the height of Mount Everest was 8839m. However, it is said that Andrew Waugh doubted Sikdar's round figure calculation and added 2 feet, making it 8839.8m. With this height, it was going to be the highest peak on Earth. Before it, the following mountains were once considered to be the highest on Earth:

  1. Kanchenjunga (8586m) was thought to be the highest until 1952.
  2. Dhaulagiri (8167m) was called the tallest from 1808 to 1847.
  3. Nanda Devi (7816m) was taken as the tallest before 1808.
  4. Chimborazo was once believed to be the tallest before Nanda Devi.

Official Recognition: Everest’s Declared Height and Global Acceptance

After various studies carried out by the Great Trigonometrical Survey from 1852 to 1856, the height of Mount Everest was officially declared to be 8840 meters in 1856. Before the joint survey of Nepal and China in 2020, the height of Mount Everest we had been taught was 8,848m (29,029 ft). This was also determined by the Survey of India in 1954 which is widely accepted. The Survey of India used more advanced techniques including precise leveling and triangulation methods.

Who Was Sir George Everest? A Namesake Without a Climb or Survey

Mount Everest was named after British surveyor Sir George Everest. The interesting thing is that he neither contributed to the survey of Mt. Everest, nor did he climb it, nor did he ever see this peak. In 1856, Andrew Waugh named Mount Everest after his predecessor Sir George Everest. Although George Everest did not directly contribute to measuring the height of the mountain, Waugh proposed the name in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of surveying in India.

Colonial Controversy: Ignoring Indigenous Names

This peak is globally known as Mt. Everest but there are many controversies regarding its name. Some people argue that it reflects a colonial attitude that ignores the local name and the cultural significance of the mountain. It is said that George Everest himself wanted the mountain to be named by its local name. But Andrew Waugh argued that the mountain was known by different names in various local languages, so that there was no single common local name to be used. 

The Call for Mount Sikdar: A New Naming Debate

In 2021, Indian journalist Sudhir Chaudhary raised the question about the name of Mt Everest. According to him, the height of Mt Everest was measured by the Indian mathematician Radhanath Sikdar - not by George Everest. He said George Everest took credit for Sikdar’s work so that the name of the peak should be called Mt Sikdar.

The Truth About Sikdar’s Role: Was He Really the Discoverer?

In fact, Radhanath Sikdar had also not played the lead role in the survey of Mt Everest. He calculated the height but he didn't participate in the field work. Field survey, observations and data collection were not part of his responsibilities. His job was to receive data from the field surveyors and keep the records. Like George Everest, he also never saw this peak. Therefore, this argument of Sudhir Chaudhary seems meaningless. 

Why Local Names Matter: Sagarmatha as a Symbol of Identity

Anyway, it is very important for everyone to understand that the names of any natural or religious sites should be named after the local name and language which reflects the originality and significance of that place. Thus, just because someone surveys or measures a place, it doesn't mean that the place should be named after them. Before it was named Mount Everest, this mountain had been known as Mount Sagarmatha since ancient times. The name 'Sagarmatha', formed by combining two words — 'Sagar' (sky) and 'Matha' (head or forehead) — literally means 'the head that touches the sky'. More than the name Mount Everest, its original name 'Sagarmatha' better reflects the mountain’s true significance and meaning. Sagarmatha is Nepal’s property, pride, and identity. It is the mountain’s original and true name, which makes it even more important. Therefore, let us call it Mount Sagarmatha and recognize it by this name all over the world.

View of Mount Everest from Nepal, known locally as Mount Sagarmatha, towering over the Himalayas

Please share your thoughts on this matter in the comments below — your opinion matters!
If you found this article interesting and want to explore the full story visually, don’t miss my detailed video on this topic:

🎥 Watch now: The Mt Everest Name Game EXPLAINED!






Dipendra Singh Khatri is a researcher, educator, and storyteller who writes about current affairs, politics, education, and mountaineering. With years of experience in the military and in the mountains (Mt Everest Summiteer - 2023), he brings honest analysis and grounded perspectives to readers across Nepal and beyond...