Darjeeling

The etymological term of Darjeeling is denoted "Tajenglung", a Yakthung Limbu terminology that means the stones that "talk to each other", according to the historian Sankarhang Subba of Darjeeling.[8] The name Darjeeling acclaimed from the Tibetan words Dorje, which is the thunderbolt sceptre of the Hindu deity Indra, and ling, which means "a place" or "land".[9]

Bringing in the Darjeeling tea harvest, circa 1890

The King of Sikkim in Darjeeling about 1900

The history of Darjeeling is intertwined with that of Sikkim, Nepal, British India, and Bhutan. Until the early 19th century, the hilly area around Darjeeling was controlled by the Kingdom of Sikkim[10] with the settlement consisting of a few villages of the Lepcha, and Kirati people.[11] The Chogyal of Sikkim had been engaged in unsuccessful warfare against the Gurkhas of Nepal. The territory of Darjeeling and its history goes on back to the ancient Yakthung Laje Limbuwan kingdom. After the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816 CE between the Gurkha king and the East India Company, Darjeeling was ceded to Sikkim through British India. The territory of Yakthung Laje Limbuwan, including Darjeeling, became a de facto possession of Sikkim, although it was not ruled by Sikkim but long remained as leasehold land. The Yakthung (Limbu) Kings and Gurkha King concluded the Treaty of Salt and Water in 1774 CE, but it was violated by Gurkha Kings on the Treaty of Sugauli while Limbu rulers were not attended in the treaty. This resulted in the territory between the Arun River and the Teesta River being part of Yakthung Laje Limbuwan.[12]

From 1780, the Gurkhas made several attempts to capture the entire region of Darjeeling. By the beginning of the 19th century, they had overrun Sikkim as far eastward as the Teesta River and had conquered and annexed the Terai and the entire area now belonged to Nepal.[13] In the meantime, the British Army was engaged in preventing the Gurkhas from over-running the whole of the northern frontier. The Anglo-Nepalese War broke out in 1814, which resulted in the defeat of the Gurkhas and subsequently led to the signing of the Sugauli Treaty in 1816. According to the treaty, Nepal had to cede all those territories annexed from the Chogyal of Sikkim to the British East India Company (i.e. the area between Mechi River and Teesta River). Later in 1817, through the Treaty of Titalia, the British East India Company reinstated the Chogyal of Sikkim, restored all the tracts of land between the River Mechi and the River Teesta to the Chogyal of Sikkim and guaranteed his sovereignty.[14]

In 1828, a delegation of the British East India Company (BEIC) officials on its way to the Nepal-Sikkim border stayed in Darjeeling and decided that the region was a suitable site for a sanatorium for British soldiers.[15][16] The company negotiated a lease of the area west of the Mahananda River from the Chogyal of Sikkim in 1835.[17] In 1849, the BEIC Superintendent Archibald Campbell and the explorer and botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker were imprisoned in the region by the Sikkim Chogyal. The BEIC sent a force to free them. Continued friction between the BEIC and the Sikkim authorities resulted in the annexation of 1,700 square kilometres (640 sq mi) of territory by the British in 1850. In 1864, the Bhutanese rulers and the British signed the Treaty of Sinchula that ceded the passes leading through the hills and Kalimpong to the British.[14] Further discord between Sikkim and the British resulted in a war, culminating in the signing of a treaty and the annexation by the British of the area east of the Teesta River in 1865.[18] By 1866, Darjeeling district had assumed its current shape and size, covering an area of 3,200 square kilometres (1,234 sq mi).[14]

A view of the Darjeeling War Memorial, located at the Batasia Loop of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Kangchenjunga is visible in the background.

During the British Raj, Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station for British residents seeking to escape the summer heat of the plains. The development of Darjeeling as a sanatorium and health resort proceeded briskly.[11] Arthur Campbell, a surgeon with the company, and Lieutenant Robert Napier were responsible for establishing a hill station there. Campbell's efforts to develop the station, attract immigrants to cultivate the slopes and stimulate trade resulted in a hundredfold increase in the population of Darjeeling between 1835 and 1849.[14][19] The first road connecting the town with the plains was constructed between 1839 and 1842.[11][19] In 1848, a military depot was set up for British soldiers, and the town became a municipality in 1850.[19]

Commercial cultivation of tea in the district began in 1856, and induced a number of British planters to settle there.[15] Darjeeling became the formal summer capital of the Bengal Presidency after 1864.[20] Scottish missionaries undertook the construction of schools and welfare centres for the British residents, laying the foundation for Darjeeling's notability as a centre of education. The opening of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in 1881 further hastened the development of the region.[21] In 1899, Darjeeling was rocked by major landslides that caused severe damage to the town and the native population.[22]

Map of the station and its environs, ca 1914

Under the British Raj, the Darjeeling area was initially a "Non-Regulation District", a scheme of administration applicable to economically less advanced districts in the British India; acts and regulations of the British Raj did not automatically apply to the district in line with the rest of the country. In 1919, the area was declared a "backward tract".[23]

During the Indian independence movement, the Non-cooperation movement spread through the tea estates of Darjeeling.[24] There was also a failed assassination attempt by revolutionaries on John Anderson, the Governor of Bengal in 1934.[25] Subsequently, during the 1940s, communist activists continued the nationalist movement against the British by mobilising the plantation workers and the peasants of the district.[26]

Darjeeling view, 1880

Socio-economic problems of the region that had not been addressed during the British Raj continued to linger and were reflected in a representation made to the Constituent Assembly of India in 1947, which highlighted the issues of regional autonomy and Nepali nationality in Darjeeling and adjacent areas.[26] After the independence of India in 1947, Darjeeling was merged with the state of West Bengal. A separate district of Darjeeling was established consisting of the hill towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and some parts of the Terai region. While the hill population comprised mainly ethnic Nepalis, the plains harboured a large ethnic Bengali population who were refugees from the Partition of India.[27] A cautious and non-receptive response by the West Bengal government to most demands of the ethnic Nepali population led to increased calls, in the 1950s and 1960s, for Darjeeling's autonomy and for the recognition of the Nepali language; the state government acceded to the latter demand in 1961.[28]

The creation of a new state of Sikkim in 1975, along with the reluctance of the Government of India to recognise Nepali as an official language under the Constitution of India, brought the Gorkhaland movement to the forefront.[29] Agitation for a separate state continued through the 1980s,[30] included violent protests during the 1986–88 period. The agitation ceased only after an agreement between the government and the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), resulting in the establishment of an elected body in 1988 called the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC), which received autonomy to govern the district. Though Darjeeling became peaceful, the issue of a separate state lingered, fuelled in part by the lack of comprehensive economic development in the region even after the formation of the DGHC.[31] New protests erupted in 2008–09, but both the Union and State governments rejected Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's (GJM) demand for a separate state.[32] In July 2011, a pact was signed between GJM, the Government of West Bengal and the Government of India which includes the formation of a new autonomous, elected Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a hill council endowed with more powers than its predecessor Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.[33]

Tea plantations in Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a part of the Eastern Himalayan zoo-geographic zone.[51] Flora around Darjeeling comprises sal, oak, semi-evergreen, temperate and alpine forests.[52] Dense evergreen forests of sal and oak lie around the town, where a wide variety of rare orchids are found. The Lloyd's Botanical Garden preserves common and rare species of plants, while the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park specialises in conserving and breeding endangered Himalayan species.[53] The town of Darjeeling and surrounding region face deforestation due to increasing demand for wood fuel and timber, as well as air pollution from increasing vehicular traffic.[54]

Forests and wildlife in the district are managed and protected by the Divisional Forest Officer of the Territorial and Wildlife wing of the West Bengal Forest Department.[51] The fauna found in Darjeeling includes several species of ducks, teals, plovers and gulls that pass Darjeeling while migrating to and from Tibet.[55] Small mammals found in the region include small Indian civets, mongooses and badgers.[56] TA conservation centre for red pandas opened at Darjeeling Zoo in 2014, building on a prior captive breeding program.[57]

Darjeeling Municipality Building

The Darjeeling urban agglomeration consists of Darjeeling Municipality and the Tukvar Tea Garden (Tukvar valley).[58] Established in 1850, the Darjeeling municipality maintains the civic administration of the town, covering an area of 10.60 km² (4.09 sq mi).[3][58] The municipality consists of a board of councillors elected from each of the 32 wards of Darjeeling town as well as a few members nominated by the state government. The board of councillors elects a chairman from among its elected members;[34] the chairman is the executive head of the municipality. As of 2011, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJMM) holds power in the municipality.

From 1988 to 2012, the Gorkha-dominated hill areas of Darjeeling district were under the jurisdiction of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC). In 2012, the DGHC was replaced by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The elected members of this body are authorised to manage certain affairs of the hills, including education, health and tourism. Law and order in Darjeeling town comes under the jurisdiction of the district police force, which is a part of the West Bengal Police; a Deputy Superintendent of Police oversees the town's security and law affairs. Darjeeling municipality area has two police stations at Darjeeling and Jorebungalow.[59]

Mall Road

Natural springs in the Senchal Range provide most of Darjeeling's water supply. Water collected is routed through stone conduits to two lakes that were constructed in 1910 and 1932, from where it is piped to the town after purification at the Jorebungalow filtration plant.[60] During the dry season, when water supplied by springs is insufficient, water is pumped from Khong Khola, a nearby small perennial stream. Increasing demand has led to a worsening shortfall in water supply; just over 50% of the town's households are connected to the municipal water supply system.[34] Various efforts made to augment the water supply, including the construction of a third storage reservoir in 1984, have failed to yield desired results.[60]

The town has an underground sewage system, covering about 40% of the town area, that collects domestic waste and conveys it to septic tanks for disposal.[61] Solid waste is disposed of in a nearby dumping ground, which also houses the town's crematorium.[61] Doorstep collection of garbage and segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste have been implemented since 2003.[62] Vermicomposting of vegetable waste is carried out with the help of non-governmental organisations.[63] In June 2009, in order to reduce waste, the municipality proposed a ban on plastic carrier bags and sachets in the town.[64]

From 1897 to the early 1990s, Darjeeling was powered by hydroelectricity from the nearby Sidrapong Hydel Power Station, and it was the first town in India supplied with hydropower. Today, electricity is supplied by the West Bengal State Electricity Board from other locations. The town often suffers from power outages and the electrical supply voltage is unstable, making voltage stabilisers popular with many households. Almost all of the primary schools are now maintained by Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council. The total length of all types of roads within the municipal area is around 134 km (83 mi).[65] The West Bengal Fire Service provides emergency services for the town.

Plucking the tea leaves in the traditional fashion

The two most significant contributors to Darjeeling's economy are tourism and the tea industry. Darjeeling tea, due to the unique agro-climatic conditions of Darjeeling, has a distinctive natural flavour, is internationally reputed and recognised as a geographical indicator. The office of the Darjeeling Indian Tea Association (DITA) is located at Darjeeling.[6] Darjeeling produces 7% of India's tea output, approximately 9,000,000 kilograms (20,000,000 lb) every year.[32] The tea industry has faced competition in recent years from tea produced in other parts of India as well as other countries like Nepal.[66] Widespread concerns about labour disputes, worker layoffs and closing of estates have affected investment and production.[67] Several tea estates are being run on a workers' cooperative model, while others are being planned for conversion into tourist resorts.[67] More than 60% of workers in the tea gardens are women.[58] Besides tea, the most widely cultivated crops include maize, millets, paddy, cardamom, potato and ginger.[68]

Darjeeling had become an important tourist destination as early as 1860.[19] It is reported to be the only location in eastern India that witnesses large numbers of foreign tourists.[32] It is also a popular filming destination for Bollywood and Bengali cinema. Satyajit Ray shot his film Kanchenjungha (1962) here, and his Feluda series story, Darjeeling Jomjomaat, was also set in the town. Bollywood movies such as Aradhana (1969), Main Hoon Na (2004), Parineeta (2005) and more recently Barfi! (2012) have been filmed here.[69][70]

Tourist inflow into Darjeeling had been affected by the political instability in the region, and agitations in the 1980s and 2000s hit the tourism industry hard.[32][71] However, since 2012, Darjeeling has once again witnessed a steady inflow of both domestic and international tourists. Presently, around 50,000 foreign and 500,000 domestic tourists visit Darjeeling each year,[72] and its repute as the "Queen of the Hills" remains unaltered. According to an India Today survey published on 23 December 2015, Darjeeling is the third most Googled travel destination among all the tourist destinations in India. Even though there are political instabilities in Darjeeling, its tourism rate is increasing year by year. Many visit this place for food specialities like momos, steamed stick rice, and other steamed foods famous in this region, as well as to see the natural beauty of the area.[73]

The narrow gauge train often crisscrosses the street

Darjeeling "Toy Train"

Darjeeling can be reached by the 88 km (55 mi) long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri, or by National Highway 55, from Siliguri, 77 km (48 mi) away.[74][75] The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 600 mm (2 ft) narrow-gauge railway that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 for being "an outstanding example of the influence of an innovative transportation system on the social and economic development of a multi-cultural region, which was to serve as a model for similar developments in many parts of the world",[76] becoming only the second railway in the world to have this honour.[21][69] Bus services and hired vehicles connect Darjeeling with Siliguri and Darjeeling has road connections with Bagdogra, Gangtok and Kathmandu and the neighbouring towns of Kurseong and Kalimpong.[74] However, road and railway communications often get disrupted in the monsoons because of landslides. The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, located 90 km (56 mi) from Darjeeling.[74] Within the town, people usually traverse by walking. Residents also use two-wheelers and hired taxis for travelling short distances. The Darjeeling Ropeway, functional since 1968, was closed in 2003 after an accident killed four tourists.[77] It reopened in February 2012.[78]

Colourful Buddhist prayer flags around Mahakal Temple at Observatory Hill, Darjeeling.

St. Andrew's Church, Darjeeling. Built- 1843, Rebuilt- 1873

According to provisional results of the 2011 census of India, Darjeeling urban agglomeration has a population of 132,016, out of which 65,839 were males and 66,177 were females. The sex ratio is 1,005 females per 1,000 males. The 0–6 years population is 7,382. Effective literacy rate for the population older than 6 years is 93.17 per cent.[79]

According to the 2001 census, the Darjeeling urban agglomeration, with an area of 12.77 km² (4.93 sq mi), had a population of 109,163, while the municipal area had a population of 107,530.[58] The population density of the municipal area was 10,173 inhabitants per square kilometre (26,350/sq mi). The sex ratio was 1,017 females per 1,000 males,[58] which was higher than the national average of 933 females per 1000 males.[80] Gorkhas, speaking Nepali as their native language, form the majority which includes indigenous ethnic groups such as the Bhutia,[7] Chhetri, Gurung, Lepcha,[7] Limbu, Magar, Newars,[7] Rai, Sherpa,[7] Tamang, Yolmo, along with several other denominations under the Indo-Aryan Khas and the Tibeto-Burman Kiratas. Other communities that inhabit Darjeeling include the Anglo-Indians, Bengalis, Biharis, Chinese, Marwaris, Rajbanshis and Tibetans. The prevailing languages are Nepali, Hindi, Bengali and English. Bengali is prevalent in the plains while Tibetan is used by the refugees and some tribal people.[7] Dzongkha is spoken by the Bhutias and the Tibetans.

Darjeeling has seen a significant growth in its population, its decadal growth rate being 47% between 1991 and 2001.[58] The colonial town was designed for a population of only 10,000, and subsequent growth has created extensive infrastructural and environmental problems. The district's forests and other natural wealth have been adversely affected by an ever-growing population. The official languages of Darjeeling are Bengali and Nepali.[5]

Buddhist Temple in Darjiling. Sikkim, by Vasily Vereshchagin (1874)

The predominant religions of Darjeeling are Hinduism and Buddhism, followed by Christianity.[81][82]

Dashain, Tihar, Losar, Buddha Jayanti, Christmas are the main festivals. Besides, the diverse ethnic populace of the town also celebrates several local festivals. Buddhist ethnic groups which include the Tibetans, Lepchas, Bhutias, Sherpas, Yolmos, Gurungs, and Tamangs celebrate their new year, called Losar, in January/February, Maghe Sankranti, Chotrul Duchen and Tendong Lho Rumfaat. The Kiranti Rai people (Khambus) celebrate their annual Sakela festivals of Ubhauli and Udhauli, and  Deusi and Bhaileni are songs performed by men and women respectively, during the festival of Tihar. All these provide a regional distinctness to Darjeeling's local culture from the rest of India. Darjeeling Carnival, initiated by a civil society movement known as The Darjeeling Initiative, is a ten-day carnival held yearly during the winter with portrayal of the Darjeeling Hill's musical and cultural heritage as its central theme.[83]

Peace Pagoda at a Buddhist Temple

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre

The culture of Darjeeling is diverse and includes a variety of indigenous practices and festivals as mentioned above. Many of the Nepali Hindus, as well as the various Buddhist and other ethnic groups such as the Lepchas, Bhutias, Kiranti Limbus, Tibetans, Yolmos, Gurungs, and Tamangs, have their own distinct languages and cultures and yet share a largely harmonious co-existence.

Colonial architecture characterises many buildings in Darjeeling, exemplified by several mock Tudor residences, Gothic churches, the Raj Bhawan, Planters' Club and various educational institutions. Buddhist monasteries showcase the pagoda style architecture. Darjeeling is regarded as a centre of music and a niche for musicians and music admirers. Singing and playing musical instruments are common pastimes among the resident population, who take pride in the traditions and role of music in cultural life.[84] Darjeeling also has a Peace Pagoda that was built in 1992 by the Japanese Buddhist organisation Nipponzan Myohoji.

Due to the varied mix of cultures in Darjeeling, the local and ethnic food of Darjeeling is also quite varied. Rice, noodles, and potatoes seem to make up the dominant part of the cuisine partly due to the cold climate. The most popular local snack food are Momos, which are steamed flour dumplings with meat or vegetables fillings served piping hot with a side of clear soup and hot homemade tomato sauce. Locals love Aloo Dom (spicy steamed potato curry) and various versions of it are served. For example, they add Wai Wai Mimi instant noodles over a bowl of Aloo Dom and call it Aloo Mimi.[85]

Another popular food is Thukpa, which is of Tibetan origins. Thukpa is homemade noodle soup with meat, eggs and/or vegetables. Other popular foods are Kinema, Chhurpi, Gundruk and Shaphalay (Tibetan bread stuffed with meat).[86] Fermented foods and beverages are consumed by a large percentage of the population.[87] Fermented foods include preparations of soybean, bamboo shoots, milk and Sel roti, which is made from rice. [88] Tea (especially butter tea) is the most popular delicacy.[86] Alcoholic beverages include Tongba, Jnaard and Chhaang, variations of a local beer made from fermenting finger millet.[86][89][90]

• 
  A bowl of Aloo Mimi
• 
  Tongba

There are 52 primary schools, 67 high schools and 5 colleges in the town.[61] Having been a summer retreat for the British in India, Darjeeling became the place of choice for the establishment of public schools on the model of Eton, Harrow and Rugby, allowing the children of British officials to obtain an exclusive education.[91] Institutions such as Mount Hermon School, St. Robert's H.S. School, St. Paul's School, St. Joseph's School - North Point, Loreto Convent are renowned as centres of educational excellence.[92]

• See article Gorkhaland

• Navneet Aditya Waiba
• Chowrasta

• Darjeeling at the Encyclopædia Britannica
• Darjeeling at Curlie
• Darjeeling travel guide from Wikivoyage