Darjeeling District is the northernmost district of the state of West Bengal in eastern India in the foothills of the Himalayas. [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. [36][40] The heavy and concentrated rainfall that is experienced in the region, aggravated by deforestation and haphazard planning, often causes devastating landslides, leading to loss of life and property. [73], 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. Price: INR. [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. 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. [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. Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak at 8,598 m (28,209 ft), is the most prominent mountain visible. [33], Darjeeling is the main town of the Sadar subdivision and also the headquarters of the district. 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. Besides, the diverse ethnic populace of the town also celebrates several local festivals. The Darjeeling region of India is famous for its black teas, but they should actually be called oolong teas. 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. [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. Apart from tea, the other thing that Darjeeling is famous for is its historic toy train. The elected members of this body are authorised to manage certain affairs of the hills, including education, health and tourism. 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. Darjeeling, known as the Queen of the City of Shell. [12], From 1780, the Gurkhas made several attempts to capture the entire region of Darjeeling. [11] The Chogyal of Sikkim had been engaged in unsuccessful warfare against the Gurkhas of Nepal. Darjeeling is also well known for woolen items like shawls, scarves, hats, jackets, etc, and also offers handicrafts and exotic Tibetan items. [58] Besides tea, the most widely cultivated crops include maize, millets, paddy, cardamom, potato and ginger. Not to miss the famous Darjeeling tea while in Darjeeling. 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. [42] The lowest temperature ever recorded was −7.2 °C (19.0 °F) on 30 January 1971 while the highest temperature rose to 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) on 21 August 1970. [59], Natural springs in the Senchal Range provide most of Darjeeling's water supply. [35], Darjeeling has a temperate climate (Köppen: Cwb,[40] subtropical highland climate) with wet summers caused by monsoon rains. The hills of Darjeeling are part of the Lesser Himalaya. Darjeeling is the headquarters of the Darjeeling district which has a partially autonomous status called Gorkhaland Territorial Administration within the state of West Bengal. 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. [24] There was also a failed assassination attempt by revolutionaries on John Anderson, the Governor of Bengal in 1934. Rice, noodles, and potatoes seem to make up the dominant part of the cuisine partly due to the cold climate. 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. [74] Within the town, people usually traverse by walking. Famous People from Darjeeling. [45][46] Though not very common, the city receives snow at least once during the three winter months of December, January and February. School, St. Paul's School, St. Joseph's School - North Point, Loreto Convent are renowned as centres of educational excellence. Darjeeling has several British-style private schools, which attract pupils from all over India and a few neighbouring countries. [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. [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. [78], 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. Almost all of the primary schools are now maintained by Darjeeling Gorkha Autonomous Hill Council. [86][89][90], There are 52 primary schools, 67 high schools and 5 colleges in the town. Amidst the green-grey hills, the serene vegetation and scenic vistas guarantee a vacation to cherish forever. 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. The territory of Darjeeling and its history goes on back to the ancient Yakthung Laje Limbuwan kingdom. [13] In the meantime, the British Army was engaged in preventing the Gurkhas from over-running the whole of the northern frontier. [6] The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway connects the town with the plains and has some of the few steam locomotives still in service in India. It is widely known across the globe for its quality tea production. [29] Agitation for a separate state continued through the 1980s,[30] included violent protests during the 1986–88 period. 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