The Pre-Independence History of Darjeeling
The name 'Darjeeling' has come from the Tibetan word, 'dorjeling' meaning 'the land of the thunderbolt'. 1835 is a landmark year in the History of Darjeeling when it was acquired by the East India Company. Prior to this Darjeeling was a part of Sikkim and also of Nepal for a brief period. However, the history of Sikkim and Nepal do not give any account of the early history of Darjeeling.
Darjeeling was a part of the dominions of the king of Sikkim. From 1780 the Gorkhas constantly intruded into Sikkim and by the onset of the 19th Century, they conquered the area of Sikkim as far eastward as the Teesta and also annexed the Terai. The Gorkhas were defeated at the hands of British in Anglo-Nepal war of the 1814 that led to the Treaty of Sugauli, 1815. According to this treaty Nepal had to cede all those territories which the Gorkhas had annexed from the Raja of Sikkim to the East India Company. The East India Co. reinstated the Raja of Sikkim and guaranteed his sovereignty by the Treaty of Titalia' of 1817. Thus, Sikkim was retained as a buffer state between Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet With the intervention of the British.
In 1828 when a dispute arose between Sikkim and Nepal, Captain Lloyd was deputed to settle it. When he went to the Hills, he was attracted by the position of Darjeeling. He stressed the need to procure the place for the advantage of the Britishers and was deputed by the British to start negotiations with the Raja of Sikkim for the transfer of Darjeeling. As a result, Darjeeling was gifted to the Britishers as the land was worthless uninhabited mountain. The land gifted to the East India Co. in 1835 was a narrow enclave of 138 square miles which was entirely surrounded by the Raja's dominions.
By 1840 a road was built from Pankhabari, A hotel was started in Darjeeling and about 30 private houses were erected. In 1839, Dr. Campbell took up the task of developing the station by attracting immigrants to start cultivation of the mountain slopes and encouraging trade and commerce. Due to his efforts, Darjeeling became an excellent Sanatorium by 1852.
In the early 1860s, trouble arose with Bhutan and Ashley Eden was deputed to negotiate with in 1863. In Nov. 1864 through the treaty of Sinchula the Bhutan Duars with the passes leading into the hills and Kalimpong were ceded to the British. Finally in 1866, Darjeeling district assumed its present shape and size of 1234 sq. miles. So this year marks an epoch in the History of Darjeeling when peace was established here.
Darjeeling was a part of the dominions of the king of Sikkim. From 1780 the Gorkhas constantly intruded into Sikkim and by the onset of the 19th Century, they conquered the area of Sikkim as far eastward as the Teesta and also annexed the Terai. The Gorkhas were defeated at the hands of British in Anglo-Nepal war of the 1814 that led to the Treaty of Sugauli, 1815. According to this treaty Nepal had to cede all those territories which the Gorkhas had annexed from the Raja of Sikkim to the East India Company. The East India Co. reinstated the Raja of Sikkim and guaranteed his sovereignty by the Treaty of Titalia' of 1817. Thus, Sikkim was retained as a buffer state between Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet With the intervention of the British.
In 1828 when a dispute arose between Sikkim and Nepal, Captain Lloyd was deputed to settle it. When he went to the Hills, he was attracted by the position of Darjeeling. He stressed the need to procure the place for the advantage of the Britishers and was deputed by the British to start negotiations with the Raja of Sikkim for the transfer of Darjeeling. As a result, Darjeeling was gifted to the Britishers as the land was worthless uninhabited mountain. The land gifted to the East India Co. in 1835 was a narrow enclave of 138 square miles which was entirely surrounded by the Raja's dominions.
By 1840 a road was built from Pankhabari, A hotel was started in Darjeeling and about 30 private houses were erected. In 1839, Dr. Campbell took up the task of developing the station by attracting immigrants to start cultivation of the mountain slopes and encouraging trade and commerce. Due to his efforts, Darjeeling became an excellent Sanatorium by 1852.
In the early 1860s, trouble arose with Bhutan and Ashley Eden was deputed to negotiate with in 1863. In Nov. 1864 through the treaty of Sinchula the Bhutan Duars with the passes leading into the hills and Kalimpong were ceded to the British. Finally in 1866, Darjeeling district assumed its present shape and size of 1234 sq. miles. So this year marks an epoch in the History of Darjeeling when peace was established here.