Darjeeling
Darjeeling, also spelled Darjiling, Tibetan Dorje-ling, a town, a state in the north of West Bengal, in northeastern India. It is located about 305 kilometers (490 miles) north of Kolkata and is about 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) above sea level. The Raja of Sikkim surrendered Darjeeling to the British in 1835 and developed it as a base for British troops. It was incorporated as a town in 1850. The Chaurastha (“Fourth Street”) area includes the commercial district, where the roads converge; it is the commercial capital of the country and the best tourist destination. Mount Observatory, the highest point in Darjeeling (2,175 feet), is home to the Mahakal temple, which is sacred to Hindus and Buddhists.
Birch Mountain has a nature park and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. Lloyd’s Botanical Garden, well known for its variety of Himalayan plants, was established in 1865. Apart from these attractions, Darjeeling has a wildlife sanctuary, a nature museum and a jogging track. It is well known for its boarding schools and there are several colleges affiliated to the University of North Bengal (founded in 1962) in and around the city.
A Brief History of Darjeeling
Darjeeling is located at an altitude of around 6710 feet and is one of the most beautiful places in India. The name Darjeeling is derived from two Tibetan words “dorje” which means “ling” which means land. So Darjeeling literally means “land of lightning”.
Before it was acquired by the British East India Company in 1835, Darjeeling was part of Sikkim (Sikkim was then an independent kingdom) and for a short time part of Nepal. In 1827, the conflict between Sikkim and Nepal again and the King of Sikkim asked for help from the British Governor in India, according to the Treaty of Titalia signed in 1817. The British then sent two of his officers , Captain Lloyd. and Mr. resolved the dispute. It was at this time that Caption Lloyd was sent to Darjeeling for a few days in February 1829. The place was called ‘Old Gorkha Station of Darjeeling’ then. The place was not as it is today. It is a barren area with forests and mountains. Lloyd realized that Darjeeling could be a great resort or spa for British workers.
Soon, advice was sent to the British Governor and he was supported. Legend Llyod who was promoted to the rank of general again sent to negotiate with the Chogyal (king) of Sikkim to hand over Darjeeling to them. General Llyod was successful in his mission and finally, in 1835, Chogyal was approved to hand over Darjeeling as a gift to the East India Company as a sign of friendship. In return, the company gave Chogyal a salary of Rs 3000.00 which was later increased to Rs 6000.00 per year. It may seem like a small amount now, but it was a lot of money then!
In 1839, Dr. Archibald Campbell, a British resident of Nepal, in Darjeeling and was given a superintendent. Dr. Campbell was responsible for the early development of Darjeeling. He was in charge of road construction, created the Hill Corps to maintain law and order. He abolished slavery in Darjeeling.
There were still minor conflicts between the Sikkimese and the British in the past years. Finally, after 1866, Darjeeling became very peaceful and this brought full development of the hill stations. Agriculture and communication have been improved. In 1881, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was introduced, connecting the mountains of the plateau in a convenient way. Finally, Darjeeling was growing and prospering.
Activities To Do In Darjeeling
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill in Darjeeling is one of the best places to visit during your visit to witness the mesmerizing sunset over Kanchenjunga mountain. It is located at an altitude of 2590 meters and is a beautiful place that attracts travelers from all over. This mountain is also the peak of Ghoom, the highest of Tiger Hill, from where you can enjoy the beauty of Mount Everest and Mount Kanchenjunga.
Admire the beauty of nature from such a height, and the sun’s rays are enough to love this place. If you are looking for a site that will give you a pleasant and pleasant atmosphere, Tiger Hills of Darjeeling is ideal.
All Aboard the ‘Toy Train’ Joy Ride
Children’s Railway in Darjeeling is one of the most interesting attractions and is also called Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. In 1999, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, it has been transporting travelers from the lower Himalayas to the beautiful mountains and rolling hills. The Darjeeling Toy Railway runs on narrow gauge tracks and offers an experience of heritage and engineering marvels that will last a lifetime. It is one of the perfect ways to see the natural beauty of the famous hill country and make your trip more enjoyable.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway started operations around 1881 and is one of the few mountain railways in operation in India. So traveling to Darjeeling is more enjoyable when you board this train. On the Darjeeling Train, you can also experience the Batasia Loop, one of the most beautiful places in Darjeeling. The train also takes you through 5 major bridges and 500 minor bridges. Continuing, the train passes through the green hills, forests and tea plantations of Darjeeling.
The breathtaking view of the snow-capped Himalayas and the world’s third highest peak, Kanchenjunga, will truly amaze you. Tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy the adventure.
Darjeeling toys Railway: Fast Facts
The Darjeeling Toy Train is an exciting story in itself. Clean toy trains and more, but so are many other cool things we’ve listed below!
Maiden Trip
The famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway made its first journey in 1880. Small part
The sections are about the size of a small car, and the lanes are narrow with 2 feet of space between them.
two motors
There are two types of motors that work at the same time. The century-old steam engine ran on coal and was very fast. Diesel engines are the latest addition and they can burn quickly. world heritage site
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999.
