By Vidarshana Prasad
Originally Darjeeling was a cluster of villages under the administration of Nepal
and Sikkim at an altitude of 6710 ft. This small town was then gifted to the
East India Company by the Chogyal of Sikkim, who discovered that the land was
particularly suited for tea plantations. In 1949 the British annexed the area and
Darjeeling was developed as a part of British India.
The growth of the town had begun in 1840 when the first road was built from
the area that is now known as Pankhabari. A hotel was built in Darjeeling and
Kurseong along with around 30 private properties and bungalows. At 1860
a road was built connecting Darjeeling to Teesta and then to Sikkim, who
undertook the remaining project. In 1869 all riots and disputes between the
neighbouring states had settled and Darjeeling town had formed its present
shape. The British started experimental tea plantations which yielded
surprisingly successful results. As a result, in 1879 the construction of the
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) was started due to the commercial
viability of the tea industry. The project was finally completed in 1881 when
the line reached the Darjeeling town. In 1939 Dr. Campbell was assigned to
the task of developing the hill station. Immigrants from mostly
the neighbouring states of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim were made to cultivate
the mountain slopes.
Colonial urbanism in Darjeeling did not follow a normal pattern due to the ridge
that was very narrow at the top, and the gentler slopes were used for the
public and market spaces. The first proper Drainage system was introduced and
laid out during the initial planning process of the first roads. Darjeeling was one
of the first towns with a well-planned sewerage and drainage systems that was
established by the British Empire. The district has around 26 natural springs,
from where the water is sourced and distributed throughout the town which
was highly efficient during the British rule. But the progression of the town has
been slowly downgrading due to the rapid growth in population and low maintenance.
By Vidarshana Prasad
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