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Encyclopedia > Darjeeling

  ?Darjeeling
mizoram • India
A view of Darjeeling from the Happy Valley Tea Estate
Coordinates: 27°02′N 88°10′E / 27.03, 88.16
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
Elevation
10.57 km² (4 sq mi)
• 2,134 m (7,001 ft)
District(s) Darjeeling
Population
Density
107,530 (2001)
• 8,548/km² (22,139/sq mi)
Chairman Subash Ghishing
Codes
Pincode
Telephone
Vehicle

• 734101
• +0354
• WB-73 WB-74

Coordinates: 27°02′N 88°10′E / 27.03, 88.16 Darjeeling (Nepali: दार्जीलिङ्ग , Bengali: দার্জিলিং) is a town in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the headquarters of Darjeeling district, in the Shiwalik Hills on the lower range of the Himalaya, at an average elevation of 2,134 m (6,982 ft). The name "Darjeeling" is a combination of the Tibetan words Dorje ("thunderbolt") and ling ("place"), translating to "The land of the thunderbolt."[1] During the British Raj in India, Darjeeling's temperate climate led to its development as a hill station (hill town) for British residents to escape the heat of the plains during the summers. Look up Darjeeling in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... , Mizoram   is one of the Seven Sister States in northeastern India on the border with Myanmar. ... Download high resolution version (5587x1716, 1381 KB)Darjeeling panorama taken by Mjanich. ... Happy Valley Tea Estate is a tea estate in Darjeeling district in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Locator_Dot. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Location of Mirzapur and the 82. ... The geography of India is diverse, with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts, plains, rainforests, hills, and plateaus. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... The divisions of a district. ... Darjeeling is a district of West Bengal whose headquarters are at the hill station of Darjeeling. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 - A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall appears in Seattles Magnuson Park, placed by an anonymous... Subhash Ghising was the chairman of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council in West Bengal, India. ... A Postal Index Number or PIN or Pincode is the post office numbering or post code system used by the Indian Postal Service (similar to the ZIP Code in the United States). ... For the past decade or so, telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India. ... Licence plates on the back of a taxi in Kolkata. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Nepali (Khaskura) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, and some parts of India and Myanmar (Burma). ... Image File history File links Darjeeling. ... Bengali or Bangla (IPA: ) is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit, Pāli and Sanskrit languages. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... Darjeeling is a district of West Bengal whose headquarters are at the hill station of Darjeeling. ... The Siwalik Hills (also spelled Shiwalik, Shivalik, or Sivalik) are the southernmost and geologically youngest foothills running parallel to the main Himalayas. ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The Tibetan language is spoken primarily by the Tibetan people who live across a wide area of eastern Central Asia bordering South Asia, as well as by large number of Tibetan refugees all over the world. ... Anthem God Save The King The British Indian Empire, 1909 Capital Calcutta (until 1912), New Delhi (after 1912) Language(s) Hindustani, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1858-1901 Victoria¹  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George VI Viceroy²  - 1858... Kalimpong town as viewed from a distant hill. ...


Darjeeling is internationally famous for its tea industry and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tea plantations date back to the mid 19th century as part of a British development of the area. The tea growers of the area developed distinctive hybrids of black tea and fermenting techniques, with many blends considered among the world's finest.[2] The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connecting the town with the plains was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the few steam engines still in service in India. Darjeeling tea has traditionally been prized above all other black teas, especially in the UK and the countries comprising the former British Empire. ... The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the Toy Train, is a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal, run by the Indian Railways. ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State...


Darjeeling has several British-style public schools, which attract students from many parts of India and neighbouring countries. The town, along with neighbouring Kalimpong was a major centre for the demand of a separate Gorkhaland state in the 1980s, though the separatist movement has gradually decreased over the past decade due to the setting up of an autonomous hill council. In the recent years the town's fragile ecology is threatened by a rising demand for environmental resources, stemming from growing tourist traffic and poorly planned urbanisation. , Kalimpong (Nepali: कालिम्पोङ) is a hill station (a hill town) nestled in the Shiwalik Hills (or Lower Himalaya) in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... Gorkaland is the name given to the area around Darjeeling and the Duars in north West Bengal in India. ... “Separatists” redirects here. ... Urbanization is the degree of or increase in urban character or nature. ...

Contents

History

Main article: History of Darjeeling

The history of Darjeeling is intertwined with that of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Bengal. Until the early 19th century, the area around Darjeeling was ruled intermittently by the kingdoms of Nepal and Sikkim,[3] with settlement consisting of a few villages of Lepcha woodspeople.[4] In 1828, a delegation of British East India Company officials on their way to Sikkim stayed in Darjeeling and decided that the region was a suitable site for a sanitarium for British soldiers.[5][6] The Company negotiated a lease of the area from the Chogyal of Sikkim in 1835.[3] Arthur Campbell, a surgeon with the Company and Lieutenant Napier (later Lord Napier of Magdala) were given the responsibility to found a hill station there. History of Darjeeling, a town in the Indian state of West Bengal in the Shiwalik Hills on the lower range of the eastern Himalaya is intertwined with the history of Bengal, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and , of course, the British East India Company. ... , Sikkim (also Sikhim) (DevanāgarÄ«: सिक्किम  ) is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayas. ... Bengal (Bengali: বঙ্গ Bôngo, বাংলা Bangla, বঙ্গদেশ Bôngodesh or বাংলাদেশ Bangladesh), is a historical and geographical region in the northeast of South Asia. ... The Lepcha (population: 50,000) are the aboriginal inhabitants of present day Sikkim. ... The Chogyal were the monarchs of the former country of Sikkim. ... Archibald Campbell (1805–1874) of the Bengal Medical Service (according to some source, Indian Medical Service) was the first superintendent of the sanitarium of Darjeeling town in India. ... Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala Robert Cornelis Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala, GCB, GCSI, CIE, FRS (1810-1890), was a British soldier. ...

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, in 1921
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, in 1921

The British established experimental tea plantations in Darjeeling in 1841. The success of these experiments led to the development of tea estates all around the town in the second half of the 19th century.[7] Darjeeling was annexed by the British Indian Empire a few years after an incident of discord between Sikkim and the Company in 1849.[5] During this time immigrants, mainly from Nepal, were recruited to work at construction sites, tea gardens, and on other agriculture-related projects.[6] Scottish missionaries undertook the construction of schools and welfare centres for the British residents, laying the foundation for Darjeeling's high reputation as a centre of education. The opening of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in 1881 hastened the development of the region.[8] In 1898, Darjeeling was rocked by a major earthquake (known as the "Darjeeling disaster") that caused severe damage to the town and the native population.[9][10] Image File history File links A point on the w:Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. ... Image File history File links A point on the w:Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. ... Fundamentally, a plantation is usually a large farm or estate, especially in a tropical or semitropical country, on which cotton, tobacco, coffee, sugar cane, or trees and the like is cultivated, usually by resident laborers. ... The British Raj is an informal term for the period of British rule of most of the Indian subcontinent, or present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (previously known as Ceylon). ... This article is about the country. ... Two Mormon missionaries A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ... The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the Toy Train, is a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal, run by the Indian Railways. ...


Under British rule, the Darjeeling area was initially a "Non-Regulation District" (a scheme of administration applicable to economically less advanced districts in the British Raj[11]) — acts and regulations of the British Raj did not automatically apply to the district in line with rest of the country. As a consequence of the 1905 Partition of Bengal, the area came under the jurisdiction of the Rajshahi division[12] and was placed in the newly created province of East Bengal and Assam. Later in 1919, the area was declared a "backward tract".[11] Darjeeling's elite residents were the British ruling class of the time, who visited Darjeeling every summer. An increasing number of well-to-do Indian residents of Kolkata (then Calcutta), affluent Maharajas of princely states and land-owning zamindars also began visiting Darjeeling.[13] The town continued to grow as a tourist destination, becoming known as the "Queen of the Hills".[14] The town did not see any significant political activity during the freedom struggle of India owing to its remote location and small population. However, there was a failed assassination attempt by revolutionaries on Sir John Anderson, the Governor of Bengal in the 1930s.[12] Anthem God Save The King The British Indian Empire, 1909 Capital Calcutta (until 1912), New Delhi (after 1912) Language(s) Hindustani, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1858-1901 Victoria¹  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George VI Viceroy²  - 1858... Partition of Bengal, 1905 was made on 16 October 1905 by then Indian vice roy Lord Curzon. ... Padma River flows besides Rajshahi City Rajshahi (Bangla: রাজশাহী) is a city in Rajshahi District in northwestern Bangladesh. ... , “Calcutta” redirects here. ... Major-General H.H. Farzand-i-Dilband Rasikh- al-Iqtidad-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Raja-i-Rajagan, Maharaja Sir Jagatjit Singh, Bahadur, Maharaja of Kapurthala, GCSI , GCIE , GBE The word Mahārāja (also spelled maharajah) is Sanskrit for great king or high king (a karmadharaya from mahānt great... A princely state is any state under the reign of a prince and is thus a principality taken in the broad sense. ... Zamindar, also known as Zemindar, Zamindari, or the Zamindari System (Persian: زمیندار) were employed by the Mughals to collect taxes from peasants. ... The Indian Independence Movement was a series of revolutions empowered by the people of India put forth to battle the British Empire for complete political independence, beginning with the Rebellion of 1857. ... Revolutionary movement for Indian independence is often a less-highlighted aspect of Indian independence movement - the underground revolutionary factions. ... John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley of Westdean (8 July 1882 – 4 January 1958) was a British statesman. ... . ...


After the independence of India in 1947, Darjeeling was merged with the state of West Bengal. The separate district of Darjeeling was established consisting of the hill towns of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and some parts of the Terai region. When the People's Republic of China annexed Tibet in 1950, thousands of Tibetan refugees settled across Darjeeling district. A diverse ethnic population gave rise to socio-economic tensions, and the demand for the creation of the separate states of Gorkhaland and Kamtapur along ethnic lines grew popular in the 1980s. The issues came to a head after a 40-day strike called by the Gorkha National Liberation Front, during which violence gripped the city, causing the state government to call in the Indian Army to restore order. Political tensions largely declined with the establishment of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council under the chairmanship of Subash Gishing.[15] The DGHC was given semi-autonomous powers to govern the district. Later its name was changed to "Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council" (DGAHC). Though Darjeeling is now peaceful, the issue of a separate state still lingers. The Indian independence movement was a series of steps taken in the Indian subcontinent for independence from British colonial rule, beginning with the Rebellion of 1857. ... , West Bengal (Bengali: পশ্চিমবঙ্গ Poshchimbôŋgo) is a state in eastern India. ... , Kurseong (Hindi: ) is a hill station (and sub-divisional town) situated in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. ... , Kalimpong (Nepali: कालिम्पोङ) is a hill station (a hill town) nestled in the Shiwalik Hills (or Lower Himalaya) in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... The Terai, or Tarai (i. ... This article is about historical/cultural Tibet. ... Gorkaland is the name given to the area around Darjeeling and the Duars in north West Bengal in India. ... Kamtapur is a state demanded by the Rajvanshi people of Jalpaiguri district in northern West Bengal, India. ... Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) is a political party in northern West Bengal, India, formed in 1980. ... The Indian Army is one of the armed forces of India and has responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) is an autonomous body that looks after the District of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, India. ... This article lacks information on the importance of the subject matter. ...


Geography

Mount Kanchenjunga and Darjeeling seen from Tiger Hill.
Mount Kanchenjunga and Darjeeling seen from Tiger Hill.

Darjeeling is located at an average elevation of 2,134 m or 6,982 ft[16] in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region on the Darjeeling-Jalapahar range that originates in the south from Ghum. The range is Y-shaped with the base resting at Katapahar and Jalapahar and two arms diverging north of Observatory Hill. The north-eastern arm dips suddenly and ends in the Lebong spur, while the north-western arm passes through North Point and ends in the valley near Tukver Tea Estate.[3] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1680 KB) Picture showing Darjeeling and Mount Kanchenjunga seen from Tiger Hill, all in India. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (2592x1944, 1680 KB) Picture showing Darjeeling and Mount Kanchenjunga seen from Tiger Hill, all in India. ... Tiger Hill is the summit of Ghoom, the highest railway station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... Darjeeling Himalayan hill region is situated on the North-Western side of the state of West Bengal in India. ... Ghum is a small hilly locality in the Darjeeling Himalayan hill region of West Bengal, India. ... Katapahar is a ridge in Darjeeling town in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... Jalapahar is a ridge as well as a locality in the hilly town of Darjeeling in the Insian state of West Bengal. ... Observatory Hill in Darjeeling is a hill near the Chowrasta. ... Lebong is a valley nearly one thousand feet below Darjeeling, India. ... Tukver Tea Estate is a rea estate near Darjeeling in India. ...


Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and also the headquarters of the district. Most of the district, including the town of Darjeeling lies in the Shiwalik Hills (or Lower Himalaya). The soil is chiefly composed of sandstone and conglomerate formations, which are the solidified and upheaved detritus of the great range of Himalaya. However, the soil is often poorly consolidated (the permeable sediments of the region do not retain water between rains) and is not considered suitable for agriculture. The area has steep slopes and loose topsoil, leading to frequent landslides during the monsoons. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the town falls under seismic zone-IV, (on a scale of I to V, in order of increasing proneness to earthquakes)[17] near the convergent boundary of the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates and is subject to frequent quakes. The hills are nestled within higher peaks and the snow-clad Himalayan ranges tower over the town in the distance. Mount Kanchenjunga (8,591 m or 28,185 ft) — the world's third-highest peak — is the most prominent peak visible. In days clear of clouds, Nepal's Mount Everest (8,850 m or 29,028 ft) can be seen.[18] Darjeeling Sadar is a sub-division of the Darjeeling district in the state of West Bengal, India. ... The Siwalik Hills (also spelled Shiwalik, Shivalik, or Sivalik) are the southernmost and geologically youngest foothills running parallel to the main Himalayas. ... Red sandstone interior of Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, worn smooth due to erosion by flash flooding over millions of years Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-size mineral or rock grains. ... Perspective view of the Himalaya and Mount Everest as seen from space looking south-south-east from over the Tibetan Plateau. ... Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil, usually the top six to eight inches. ... Landslide of soil and regolith in Pakistan A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows. ... Bold text[[ // [[Image:Media:Example. ... The BIS logo The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body of India is involved in the development of technical standards (popularly known as Indian Standards), product quality and management system certifications and consumer affairs. ... The Indian subcontinent has had a history of devastating earthquakes. ... In plate tectonics, a convergent boundary (convergent fault boundary, convergent plate boundary, or active margin) is where two tectonic plates slide towards each other and usually collide forming either a subduction zone with its associated island arc or an orogenic belt and associated mountain range. ...  The Eurasian plate, shown in green The Eurasian Plate is a tectonic plate covering Eurasia (a landmass consisting of the traditional continents of Europe and Asia) except that it does not cover the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian subcontinent, and the area east of the Verkhoyansk Range in East Siberia. ... The tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century. ... Kanchenjunga (a number of alternative spellings are used Kangchenjunga which is the correct spelling, Kangchen Dzö-nga, Khangchendzonga, Kanchenjanga, Kachendzonga, or Kangchanfanga) is the third highest mountain in the world and the second highest in Nepal and the highest in India, located in the Taplejung district of Sikkim, straddling the... “Everest” redirects here. ...


There are several tea plantations in the area. 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.[19] Flora around Darjeeling includes temperate, deciduous forests of poplar, birch, oak, and elm as well as evergreen, coniferous trees of wet alpine. Dense evergreen forests lie around the town, where a wide variety of rare orchids are found. Lloyd's Botanical Garden preserves common and rare species of flora, while the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the only specialised zoo in the country conserving and breeding endangered Himalayan species.[20] This article is about the process of deforestation in the environment. ... Deciduous means temporary or tending to fall off (deriving from the Latin word decidere, to fall off) and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally. ... This article is about woody plants of the genus Populus. ... Species Many species; see text and classification Birch is the name of any tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus (from Latin oak tree), and some related genera, notably Cyclobalanopsis and Lithocarpus. ... Species See Elm species, varieties, cultivars and hybrids Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees making up the genus Ulmus, family Ulmaceae, found throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Siberia to Indonesia, Mexico to Japan. ... ‹ The template below (Expand) is being considered for deletion. ... Orders & Families Cordaitales † Pinales   Pinaceae - Pine family   Araucariaceae - Araucaria family   Podocarpaceae - Yellow-wood family   Sciadopityaceae - Umbrella-pine family   Cupressaceae - Cypress family   Cephalotaxaceae - Plum-yew family   Taxaceae - Yew family Vojnovskyales † Voltziales † The conifers, division Pinophyta, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. ... For the climate of the mountains named the Alps, see climate) for a region above the tree-line. ... Orchid re-directs here; for alternate uses see Orchid (disambiguation) Genera Over 800 See List of Orchidaceae genera. ... Lloyds Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park is the zooligical park in the town of Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. ...


Climate

Drizzling at Darjeeling
Drizzling at Darjeeling

Darjeeling's temperate climate has five distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter, and the monsoons. Summers (lasting from May to June) are mild, with maximum temperatures rarely crossing 25 °C (77 °F). The monsoon season from June to September is characterised by intense torrential rains often causing landslides that block Darjeeling's land access to the rest of the country. In winter temperature averages 5–7 °C (41–44 °F). Occasionally the temperatures drop below freezing; snowfalls are rare. During the monsoon and winter seasons, Darjeeling is often shrouded in mist and fog. The annual mean temperature is 12 °C (53 °F); monthly mean temperatures range from 5–17 °C (41–62 °F).[21] The highest temperature ever recorded in the district was 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) on 23 August 1957; the lowest-ever temperature recorded was −5 °C (23 °F) on 11 February 1905.[22] The average annual precipitation is 281.8 cm (110.9 in), with the highest incidence occurring in July (75.3 cm or 29.6 in).[21] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For the usage in virology, see temperate (virology). ... For other uses, see Spring. ... For other uses, see Summer (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Winter is one of the four seasons of temperate zones. ... A semi-arid wasteland near Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. ... Celsius is, or relates to, the Celsius temperature scale (previously known as the centigrade scale). ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... Landslide of soil and regolith in Pakistan A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows. ... The melting point of a crystalline solid is the temperature range at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... Dramatic morning mist Mist is a phenomenon of a liquid in small droplets floating through air. ... Golden Gate Bridge in Fog Evening fog obscures Londons Tower Bridge from passers by. ... is the 235th day of the year (236th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 42nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1905 (MCMV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... A centimetre (American spelling centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of length that is equal to one hundredth of a metre, the current SI base unit of length. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ...


Civic administration

A political rally taking place in Darjeeling.
A political rally taking place in Darjeeling.

The Darjeeling urban agglomeration consists of Darjeeling Municipality and the Pattabong Tea Garden.[23] Established in 1850, the Darjeeling municipality maintains the civic administration of the town, covering an area of 10.57 km² (4.08 mi²).[23] 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;[3] the chairman is the executive head of the municipality. The Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) at present holds power in the municipality. The Gorkha-dominated hill areas of the whole Darjeeling district is under the jurisdiction of the Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council since its formation in 1988. The DGHC's elected councillors are authorised to manage certain affairs of the hills, including education, health and tourism. The town is within the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency and elects one member to the Lok Sabha (Lower House) of the Indian Parliament. It elects one member in the West Bengal state legislative assembly, the Vidhan Sabha. The Indian National Congress won the parliamentary election in 2004, while the state assembly seat was won by GNLF in the 2006 polls. Darjeeling town comes under the jurisdiction of the district police (which is a part of the state police); a Deputy Superintendent of Police oversees the town's security and law affairs.[24] Darjeeling municipality area has two police stations at Darjeeling and Jorebungalow.[25] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 571 KB) Summary A political rally taking place in Darjeeling. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x768, 571 KB) Summary A political rally taking place in Darjeeling. ... Darjeeling Municipality is responsible for the civic administration of the town of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. ... Pattabong Tea Garden or Puttabong Tea Garden is a tea-estate in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... In Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a ward is an electoral area of a borough, city, council, county, district, parish, shire or town (Local Government Area). ... Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) is a political party in northern West Bengal, India, formed in 1980. ... The Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council (DGAHC), previously known as Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) is an autonomous body that looks after the District of Darjeeling in the state of West Bengal, India. ... The Lok Sabha is the lower house in the Parliament of India. ... Darjeeling is a Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency in West Bengal, India. ... A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house. ... The Parliament of India is bicameral. ... Vidhan Sabha, the name of the state-level legislature assemblies in India. ... Indian National Congress (also known as the Congress Party and abbreviated INC) is a major political party in India. ... Legislative elections were held in India, the worlds largest democracy, in four phases between April 20 and May 10, 2004. ... West Bengal, India The West Bengal state assembly election of 2006, part of a series of state assembly elections in 2006, was scheduled to occur in five phases. ... The West Bengal Police is the police force of West Bengal, India. ... Deputy Superintendent, or Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), was a rank used by police forces of the British Empire. ... Jorebungalow or Jorebunglow is a small locality near the town of Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. ...


Utility services

A sewer running behind houses.
A sewer running behind houses.

Natural springs provide most of Darjeeling's water supply – water collected is routed to Senchal Lake (10 km or 6.2 miles southeast of town), from where it is piped to the town. During the dry season, when water supplied by springs is insufficient, water is pumped from Khong Khola, a nearby small perennial stream. There is a steadily widening gap between water supply and demand; just over 50% of the town's households are connected to the municipal water supply system.[3] The town has an underground sewage system that collects domestic waste from residences and about fifty community toilets. Waste is then conveyed to six central septic tanks and ultimately disposed of in natural jhoras (waterways); roadside drains also collect sewage and storm water. Municipal Darjeeling produces about 50 tonnes (110,200 lb) of solid waste every day, which is disposed of in nearby disposal sites.[3] Electricity is supplied by the West Bengal State Electricity Board, and the West Bengal Fire Service provides emergency services for the town. 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 — including stepped paths within the municipality — is around 90 km (56 miles); these are maintained by the municipality.[3] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (773x1024, 651 KB) Summary Description: A pukka sewage running behind houses in Darjeeling, India Source: http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (773x1024, 651 KB) Summary Description: A pukka sewage running behind houses in Darjeeling, India Source: http://www. ... Senchal lake, located 10 km to the south-east of Darjeeling, is the main reservoir of potable water for the town of Darjeeling, India. ... Khong Khola is a small perennial river near the town of Darjeeling, India. ... A tonne or metric ton (symbol t), sometimes referred to as a metric tonne, is a measurement of mass equal to 1,000 kilograms. ... The pound or pound-mass (abbreviations: lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States, #) is a unit of mass (sometimes called weight in everyday parlance) in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) is a state owned electricity regulation board operating within the state of West Bengal in India. ... West Bengal Fire Service is the state owned service that attends fire/rescue calls throughout the Indian state of West Bengal, including the city of Kolkata. ... Power Outage is an episode of The WB drama series, Charmed. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Linear regulator. ...


Economy

Darjeeling Tea Plantation
Darjeeling Tea Plantation

The two most significant contributors to Darjeeling's economy are tourism and the tea industry. Darjeeling tea is regarded as the best of black teas and is widely popular,[2] especially in the UK and the countries making up the former British Empire. The tea industry has faced competition in recent years from tea produced in other parts of India as well as other countries like Nepal.[26] Widespread concerns about labour disputes, worker layoffs and closing of estates have affected investment and production.[27] Several tea estates are being run on a workers' cooperative model, while others are being planned for conversion into tourist resorts.[27] More than 60% of workers in the tea gardens are women. The remuneration of workers are often half in cash and half in other benefits like accommodation, subsidised rations, free medical benefits etc.[28] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3008x2000, 2617 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Darjeeling Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (3008x2000, 2617 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Darjeeling Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create... “Tourist” redirects here. ... Tea leaves in a Chinese gaiwan. ... Darjeeling tea has traditionally been prized above all other black teas, especially in the UK and the countries comprising the former British Empire. ... Black tea Black tea is more oxidized than the green, oolong and white varieties; all four varieties are made from leaves of Camellia sinensis. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... For cooperative as used in biochemistry, see cooperative binding. ...


The district's forests and other natural wealth have been adversely affected by an ever-growing population.[23] The years since independence have seen substantial advances in the area's education, communication and agriculture – the latter including the production of diverse cash crops like potato, cardamom, ginger, and oranges. Farming on terraced slopes is a major source of livelihood for the rural populace around the town and it supplies the town with fruits and vegetables. For other uses, see Potato (disambiguation). ... Genera Amomum Elettaria The name cardamom is used for herbs within two genera of the ginger family Zingiberaceae, namely Elettaria and Amomum. ... For other uses, see Ginger (disambiguation). ... Orange blossoms and oranges on tree For other uses of orange, see orange (disambiguation) The Orange Citrus x sinensis is a Citrus tree, and the fruits of this tree. ... Terraced vineyards near Lausanne The Incan terraces at Písac are still used today. ...


Summer and spring seasons are most popular with tourists, keeping many of Darjeeling's residents employed directly and indirectly, with many residents owning and working in hotels and restaurants. Many people earn a living working for tourism companies and as guides. Darjeeling is a popular filming destination for Bollywood and Bengali cinema; films such as Aradhana, Main Hoon Na, Kanchenjungha have been filmed here. As the district headquarters, Darjeeling employs many in government offices. Small contributions to the economy come from the sale of traditional arts and crafts of Sikkim and Tibet. Bollywood (Hindi: , Urdu: ) is the informal name given to the popular Mumbai-based Hindi-language film industry in India. ... Bengali cinema, or the Bengali film industry, is one of the earliest film industries in India. ... Spoiler warning: Aradhana (Worship) is a 1969 Bollywood film starring Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna. ... Main Hoon Na (Hindi: मैं हूँ ना, Urdu: میں ہوں نا, English: Im Here Now) is a Hindi Bollywood film written and directed by Farah Khan and produced by Gauri Khan and Shahrukh Khan; it was released on April 30, 2004 and was considered a box-office success. ... Kanchenjungha is a 1962 film by Indian film director Satyajit Ray, his first original screenplay and colour film. ...


Transport

The "Toy Train" approaching Darjeeling.
The "Toy Train" approaching Darjeeling.

The town of Darjeeling can be reached by the 80 km (50 miles) long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (nicknamed the "Toy Train") from Siliguri, or by the Hill Cart Road (National Highway 55) that follows the railway line. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 60 cm (2 ft) narrow-gauge railway. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999, becoming only the second railway in the world to have this honour.[8] Regular bus services and hired vehicles connect Darjeeling with Siliguri and the neighbouring towns of Kurseong, Kalimpong and Gangtok. Four wheel drives, including Land Rovers, are the most popular means of transport, as they can easily navigate the steep slopes in the region. However, road and rail communications often get disrupted in the monsoons due to landslides. The nearest airport is in Bagdogra near Siliguri, located about 93 km (58 miles) from Darjeeling. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Deccan are the three major carriers that connect the area to Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. The closest major railway station is in New Jalpaiguri, which is connected with almost all major cities of the country. Within the town, people usually traverse by walking. Residents also use bicycle, two-wheelers and hired taxis for travelling short distances. The Darjeeling Ropeway, functional from 1968 to 2003, was stopped after an accident killed four tourists.[29][30] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1214 KB) Description: Toy Train, Darjeeling, India Source: I have taken this photo myself in mid 2004 with my own Sony DSC-707. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 1214 KB) Description: Toy Train, Darjeeling, India Source: I have taken this photo myself in mid 2004 with my own Sony DSC-707. ... Transport in Darjeeling consists of the intra-city transport and the communication between the city and other locations in darjeeling district. ... “km” redirects here. ... The Imperial units are an irregularly standardized system of units that have been used in the United Kingdom and its former colonies, including the Commonwealth countries. ... The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, nicknamed the Toy Train, is a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal, run by the Indian Railways. ... , Siliguri   (Bengali: শিলিগুড়ি) is a rapidly developing metropolis in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... The Network of National Highways in India National Highways in India is the class of roads maintained by the Central Government and is the main long-distance roadways. ... The Network of National Highways in India The list of National Highways in India gives a region wide listing of the Indian Highways, a class of roads maintained by the National Highways Authority of India. ... Narrow-gauge railways are railroads (railways) with track spaced at less than the standard gauge of 4 ft 8 in (1. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... , Siliguri   (Bengali: শিলিগুড়ি) is a rapidly developing metropolis in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... , Kurseong (Hindi: ) is a hill station (and sub-divisional town) situated in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India. ... , Kalimpong (Nepali: कालिम्पोङ) is a hill station (a hill town) nestled in the Shiwalik Hills (or Lower Himalaya) in the Indian state of West Bengal. ... Gangtok   (Nepali/Hindi: गंगटोक) is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim. ... Four wheel drive or 4x4, is a type of four wheeled vehicle drivetrain configuration that enables all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously in order to provide maximum traction. ... Land Rover was the name of one of the first British civilian all-terrain utility vehicles, first produced by Rover in 1947. ... Bagdogra airport is a civilian airport at a distance of about eighteen kilometres from the city of Siliguri in northern West Bengal, India. ... Executive class cabin of an Indian Airbus A320 Indian Airlines Limited or Air India (Hindi: ) is Indias state owned primarily domestic airline, under the federal Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and based in New Delhi. ... Jet Airways is an airline based in Mumbai, India, operating domestic and international services. ... Air Deccan is an airline based in Bangalore, India. ... For other uses, see Delhi (disambiguation). ... , Guwahati (Assamese: গুৱাহাটী) is a major city in eastern India, often considered as the gateway to the North-East Region (NER) of the country and is the largest city within the region. ... New Jalpaiguri is a sister city of the city of Siliguri in Indias state of West Bengal. ... For other uses, see Bicycle (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Motorcycle (disambiguation). ... Darjeeling Ropeway was a ropeway in the town of Darjeeling in the Indian state of West Bengal. ...


Demographics

Concrete/brick and timber houses in the town.
Concrete/brick and timber houses in the town.

As per the 2001 census, the Darjeeling urban agglomeration (which includes Pattabong Tea Garden), with an area of 12.77 km² (4.93 mi²) has a population of 109,163, while the municipal area has a population of 107,530.[23] The town has an additional average diurnal floating population of 20,500 – 30,000, mainly consisting of the tourists.[3] The population density of the municipal area is 10,173 per km².[23] The sex ratio is 1,017 females per 1,000 males[23] — which is higher than the national average. The women make a significant contribution as earning members of households and the workforce.[31] The town houses approximately 31% of its population in the slums and shanty buildings — a consequence of heavy immigration.[3] The major religion is Hinduism, followed by Buddhism. Christians and Muslims form sizable minorities.[32] The population's ethnic composition is closely linked with that of Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim and Bengal. The majority of the populace is of ethnic Nepali background, having migrated to Darjeeling in search of jobs during the British rule. Indigenous ethnic groups include the Lepchas, Bhutias, Sherpas, Rais, Yamloos, Damais, Kamais, Newars and Limbus. Other communities that inhabit Darjeeling include the Bengalis, Marwaris, Anglo-Indians, Chinese, Biharis and Tibetans. The most commonly spoken language is Nepali (Gorkhali); Hindi, Bengali and English are also used. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (768x1024, 491 KB) Summary Hillside houses in Darjeeling. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (768x1024, 491 KB) Summary Hillside houses in Darjeeling. ... As per the 2001 census, the Darjeeling urban agglomeration (which includes Pattabong Tea Garden), with an area of 12. ... Pattabong Tea Garden or Puttabong Tea Garden is a tea-estate in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India. ... Slums in Delhi, India. ... Hinduism (known as in modern Indian languages[1]) is a religious tradition[2] that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ... A silhouette of a Buddha statue at Ayutthaya, Thailand. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... Motto जननी जन्मभूमिष्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी  (Sanskri