Darjeeling is a famous hill station in West Bengal in the Mahabharat Range or Lesser Himalaya at 6,700 ft (2,042.2 m). The history of colonial Darjeeling Himalaya is entangled in many events. Darjeeling’s history is connected with Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. The British were attracted to this place and started the negotiations. Finally, the tract of Darjeeling was ceded in 1835 to the English East India Company. Let’s explore the colonial history of Darjeeling from its background.
Table of Contents
MEANINGS OF DARJEELING:
There are several versions of the origin of the name Darjeeling (also spelled as Darjiling). Darjeeling or ‘Dorje-ling’ means the place of the ‘Dorje,’ an anglicized form of the word “Darjeeling.” The mystic thunderbolt of the Lamaist religion used to stand on the top of Observatory hill. Darjeeling is a Tibetan word that rests Indra’s thunderbolt or scepter. Likewise, another theory is of the Sanskrit word ‘Durjay Ling.’ It means ‘Siva of invincible prowess, who rules the Himalayas.’ Darjeeling was a part of the Sikkimese territory. It used to be governed by a kazi who submitted the rent amounting to Rs.20 every year to the Raja of Sikkim.
PRE-COLONIAL HISTORY OF DARJEELING:
Darjeeling was a part of the Kingdom of Sikkim until the early eighteenth century. Hereditary monarchs ruled Sikkim. They were the Chogyals of the Namgyal dynasty. In the 1780s, the Gorkha army overran Darjeeling from Nepal. They attacked Rabdentse, the capital of Sikkim, and invaded territories up to the Teesta River in Nepal.
To understand the circumstances leading to the discovery and the developments leading to the eventual annexation of Darjeeling, a brief excursion into the Anglo-Gorkha War (1814-16) and its aftermath are necessary. The British took Darjeeling, conquered and occupied by Nepal from 1788 and restored to Sikkim by the British in 1817, as a ‘gift’ in 1835.
Darjeeling’s history is connected with the histories of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Bengal. The Anglo-Gorkha War broke out in 1814. The Gorkhas were defeated, and the treaty of Sugauli was signed in 1815 and ratified in 1816. According to this treaty, Nepal conceded all those territories to the East India Company, which the Gorkhas had annexed from the Raja of Sikkim. The Treaty of Titalya was signed in 1817. By this treaty, the Raja of Sikkim restored who was driven out. The Raja received the land between the Mechi and the Teesta and assured his sovereignty.
GENESIS OF DARJEELING FROM 1829 TO 1835:
In 1827 issues arose between Sikkim and Nepal on ontoo dara. The British Governor-General, Lord William Bentinck employed two officers, Captain George Lloyd and J. W. Grant, the Commercial Resident at Malda, to resolve the issue. Captain Lloyd and Mr. J.W. Grant came to the hills in 1828. In February 1829, the two officers stayed at Darjeeling for six days at the old Gorkha station termed “Dorjeling”.
On June 1829, Lloyd communicated to the government regarding the possibility of Darjeeling serving as a sanatorium. Grant also advised the government to possess the tract. They returned to the area with Captain J.D. Herbert as a surveyor to investigate the possibilities of Darjeeling as a hill station. They advised Lord William Bentinck to gain it as a military outpost and as a sanatorium while recognizing its position as a military outpost and trading node. The area was formally given to the British in 1835. Therefore, Darjeeling has owned its identity as a hill station since 1835.
Read more to explore the role of the British in developing Darjeeling as a hill station
WHY DARJEELING WAS IMPORTANT?
Racial distinctions and a climatic value system determined the establishment, evolution, and historical course of hill stations in colonial India. The British preferred the hills over the plains. Environmental conditions played a significant role in conditioning the livelihood and economy of the people in Darjeeling Himalaya. The economic potentiality, the prospects of trade, and the strategic importance of Darjeeling contributed to its identity as a hill station. The closeness of the international borders has made Darjeeling strategically important. On all grounds, Lloyd strongly urged securing possession of the place. He pointed out its advantages as a trade center and a position of great strategical importance, commanding the entrance into Nepal and Bhutan.
Read more to explore why Darjeeling is a popular heritage of India
DEED OF GRANT OF DARJEELING, 1835:
The deed for the grant of Darjeeling made to the East India Company on 1st February 1835 says:
“The Governor-General having expressed his desire for the possession of the Hill of Darjeeling, on account of its cool climate, for the purpose of enabling the servants of his Government, suffering from sickness, to avail themselves of its advantages, I, the Sikkimputtee Rajah, out of friendship to the said Governor-General, hereby present Darjeeling to the East India Company, that is, all the land south of the Great Runjeet river, east of the Balasun, Kahail, and Little Rangit rivers, and west of the Rungno (Tista) and Mahanadi rivers.”
https://aachuley.wordpress.com/2010/08/26/grant-of-darjeeling-1835/
DARJEELING FROM 1835 TO 1849:
Having gained the Hill Territory of Darjeeling, In 1836, General Lloyd and Dr. Chapman were sent to explore the area. Darjeeling was accepted as a sanatorium based on their report. He devoted himself to the station’s development, attracting immigrants to cultivate the mountain slopes and stimulating trade and commerce. In 1841, The English East India Company fixed an allowance of Rs. 3,000 a year to the Maharaja of Sikkim as compensation for the cession of Darjeeling. This compensation increased to Rs. 6,000 a year in 1846.
The Rajah ordered to give up the most notorious offenders and come personally to Darjeeling at the pain of an army marching to Tumloong to enforce the demand. The seizure of the Terai lands of the state followed the threats. The whole southern part of Sikkim is between the great Rungeet River and the plains of India annexed, including Nepaul (Nepal) on the west to the Bhutan frontiers and the Teesta River on the east. About 640 square miles were gained on this occasion. Rajah’s allowances were also discontinued. However, afterward, on friendly assurances, restored and increased to Rs.12,000 a year.
Dr. Campbell was a British Resident of Nepal. He came to Darjeeling as Superintendent in 1839 and devoted himself to developing the station. Besides, Campbell also attracted immigrants to improve the mountain slopes and promote trade and commerce. In the meantime, the population rose from 100 in 1839 to about 10,000 in 1849 because of the developments. Primarily, it increases of immigrants from the neighbouring states of Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan.
INTEGRATION OF KALIMPONG IN 1866:
In the meantime, trouble arose with the neighboring state of Bhutan. The Bhutanese constantly raided and plundered the areas of Darjeeling. Ashley Eden was appointed to discuss with Bhutan in 1863. The British envoy openly disrespected and came to Darjeeling. In the winter of 1864, a military force was sent to Bhutan, and the whole of Bhutan Duars was captured. After the defeat of Bhutan in the Anglo- Bhutan war, the Treaty of Sinchula was signed in November 1865. By this treaty, the area of Kalimpong, along with the Dooars, became British property. Now, Kalimpong is governed by the Deputy Commissioner of Western Duars. However, it transferred to the District of Darjeeling in 1866. So, the Darjeeling district assumed its present shape and size in 1866, to 1234 sq. miles.
POLITICAL HISTORY OF DARJEELING AFTER 1866:
The year 1866 marked an epoch in the history of Darjeeling. Peace was established, and there were no frontier disturbances. Due to the developments, the march of progress began in Darjeeling. In 1891, the sub-division of Kurseong was formed. Similarly, in 1907 Siliguri sub-division was also created.
The Darjeeling district was included in the Rajshahi Division until October 1905. Subsequently, it transferred to the Bhagalpur Division. With the rearrangement of the provinces, it was re-transferred to the Rajshahi Division in March 1912. Darjeeling merged with the state of West Bengal in 1947. Now, the separate district of Darjeeling comprised the hilly towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, and the Terai areas of Siliguri.
Read more to discover the people’s history of Darjeeling
The British gave Darjeeling a formal urban shape and paved the way for its development. The chronology of the history of Darjeeling is interesting, and it attracted various people from inside and outside the country. Darjeeling is possibly the most cosmopolitan of hill stations in the Himalayas. Therefore, the history of colonial Darjeeling Himalaya is unique in the Eastern Himalayas as a hill station and tourist spot.
No doubt it’s a good initiative. It will give a basic idea relating to the colonial history of Darjeeling Himalaya. It will be helpful to the students and those who want to explore the history of this part of our subcontinent.
Wonderfully weaved togather the tales of colonial Darjeeling. A very good read for the students and the inquisitive who wants to explore the past.
Lucid report on History of Darjeeling. It helped me a lot to understand the historical importance of our place. It would be a great favour for us if you could publish your article on post colonial Darjeeling hills.
Thank You sir
Thank you very much for your insight. Indeed, I have the plan to publish articles on post-colonial Darjeeling hills. This is the beginning of the work. I will do it in the near future. Cheers.
Good work Kishan, it gives a glimpse of colonial history Darjeeling which open up the further area of research for our students.
The author did an excellent job of explaining a difficult concept clearly and accurately. This will be very helpful to the enthusiast to know more about the politico-social developments of the Darjeeling Hills. I hope to see more of your work in the future.
Nice one sathi , you are indeed the way paver for the people who wants to know about Darjeeling and its history; good Job.
Very well explained which made clear in understanding our past which some of them were unknown to us..Thank you for bringing to us this beautiful article.
Sir,your work is really praise-worthy .Thanking you for providing such a valuable information regarding the socio-political factors leading to the birth and growth of Darjeeling ,having possessed Darjeeling the East India Company’s endaevours to promote trade and commerce leading the Hill territory towards urbanization and also the creation of Darjeeling as a district,all these are really informative.Eagerly waiting for more of your upcoming works.🙏
It helped me to know the past history of foothills of Himalayas including Sikiim and partly neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan. Thank you sir it’s a very helpful to all the readers. Bravo
Great initiative Kishan Dada.Keep on writing.
Nice work Kishan and it will be a good source of knowledge to some of the great people who are bereft of this knowledge.
Good initiative, rather much needed. Keep up the good work and I relished reading every word bit by bit.
Waiting for ur next write up.
Excellent writeup dear kishan. The writeup helped me to understand the historical background of Darjeeling in a short, interesting and informative way. It is a good source of information for students and people of our region.Thanks for such a good effort.Your each writeup is enlightening me more and more about the historical importance of our place.
Looking forward for your next writeup.
It’s always great to read about Darjeeling and the way you put up together the history of past enlighten us in many ways. Keep writing thankyou Sir Kishan for sharing our pride land #Darjeeling!
Thank you for sharing this exquisite piece. Shall be waiting for more such informative editorials 😊
It’s an easy read loaded with valuable information. Thank you for such a researched piece.
After reading this article, I can proudly say I belong to a place called “Darjeeling”.
Very well written kishan. In a very lucid manner but meaningfully you have drafted the history of colonial darjeeling….that from this write up….I think it is amplyclear…. why everyone has emotional attachment to this place called DARJEELING……and why it is everyone’s land.
Hello Tea Colleagues, I am trying to find out the first names of J. W. Grant, the Commercial Resident at Malda.
Can anyone assist in my search for Mr.Grants first names?