Kalimpong
District
Clockwise from top-left: Mangal Dham Mandir, Morgan House in Kalimpong, Hanuman Mandir, view from Rishyap, Neora Valley National Park
Location of Kalimpong in West Bengal
Location of Kalimpong in West Bengal
Country India
State West Bengal
DivisionJalpaiguri
HeadquartersKalimpong
Government
 • Lok Sabha constituenciesDarjeeling (shared with Darjeeling district)
 • Vidhan Sabha constituenciesKalimpong
Area
 • Total1,053.60 km2 (406.80 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total251,642
 • Density240/km2 (620/sq mi)
Languages
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Websitekalimpong.gov.in
Blue orchid form Kalimpong

Kalimpong district is a district in the state of West Bengal, India. Originally known as Dalingkot tehsil,[lower-alpha 1] the region was alternatively under the control of Sikkim and Bhutan. In 1865, it was annexed from Bhutan by British India under the Treaty of Sinchula, and administered as a subdivision of the Darjeeling district from 1916 to 2017.[2][3] In 2017, it was carved out as a separate district to become the 21st district of West Bengal.[3][4]

The district is headquartered at Kalimpong, which grew to prominence as a market town for Indo-Tibetan trade during the British period. It is bounded by Pakyong district of Sikkim in the north, Bhutan in the east, Darjeeling district in the west, and Jalpaiguri district in the south. The district consists of the Kalimpong municipality and four community development blocks: Kalimpong I, Kalimpong II, Gorubathan and Pedong.

Area

Apart from the Kalimpong municipality that consists of 23 wards, the district contains rural areas of 42 gram panchayats under four community development blocks: Kalimpong I, Kalimpong II, Gorubathan and Pedong.[5]

Kalimpong district has an area of 1,053.60 km2 (406.80 sq mi), with Kalimpong I block having an area of 360.46 km2 (139.17 sq mi); Kalimpong II block an area of 241.26 km2 (93.15 sq mi); Gorubathan block an area of 442.72 km2 (170.94 sq mi); and Kalimpong Municipality an area of 9.16 km2 (3.54 sq mi).[1]

History

Katherine Graham Memorial Chapel, Dr. Graham's Homes
The Clock Tower of Kalimpong.

What is now Kalimpong district was originally under the kingdom of Sikkim.[6][7] It was controlled through two hill forts in the region, at Damsang[lower-alpha 2] and Daling[lower-alpha 3] (or Dalingkot, meaning "Daling fort"). The region itself seems to have been referred to as Dalingkot.[8] In 1718, the Kingdom of Bhutan annexed this territory, and ruled it for the next 150 years.[9] The area was sparsely populated by the indigenous Lepcha community and migrant Bhutia, Limbu and Kirati tribes.

After the Anglo-Bhutan War in 1864, the Treaty of Sinchula (1865) was signed, in which certain hill territory to east of the Teesta River was ceded to the British East India Company.[6] The precise territory was unspecified but include the fort of Dalingkot. In 1866–1867 an Anglo-Bhutanese commission demarcated the area, and set the Di Chu and Ni Chu rivers as the eastern boundary.[10][11]

The ceded territory was added to the Western Duaras district at first, and later transferred to the Darjeeling district in 1866.[2] It was referred to as the "tract of Dalingkot" or "tract of Damsang", after the hill forts through it had been administered in the past.[11][12] At that time, Kalimpong was a small hamlet, with only two or three families known to reside there.[13] However the neighbourhood of Kalimpong was well-populated with several villages, as recorded by Ashley Eden during a mission to Bhutan in 1864. Eden mentioned that the people there were well-disposed to the British administration and had frequently traded with the Darjeeling area to the west of Tista in defiance of the Bhutanese authorities.[14]

The temperate climate prompted the British to develop the town as an alternative hill station to Darjeeling, to escape the scorching summer heat in the plains. Kalimpong's proximity to the Nathu La and Jelep La passes (La means "pass") for trading with Tibet was an added advantage. It soon became an important trading outpost in the trade of furs, wools and food grains between India and Tibet.[15] The increase in commerce attracted large numbers of Nepali's from the neighbouring Nepal and the lower regions of Sikkim, the areas where, Nepalis were residing since the Gorkha invasion of Sikkim in 1790. The movement of people into the area, transformed Kalimpong from a small hamlet with a few houses, to a thriving town with increased economic prosperity. Britain assigned a plot within Kalimpong to the influential Bhutanese Dorji family, through which trade and relations with Bhutan flowed. This later became the Bhutan House, a Bhutanese administrative and cultural centre.[16][17][18]

The arrival of Scottish missionaries saw the construction of schools and welfare centres for the British.[13] Rev. W. Macfarlane in the early 1870s established the first schools in the area.[13] The Scottish University Mission Institution was opened in 1886, followed by the Kalimpong Girls High School. In 1900, Reverend J.A. Graham founded the Dr. Graham's Homes for destitute Anglo-Indian students.[13] The young missionary (and aspiring writer and poet) Aeneas Francon Williams, aged 24, arrived in Kalimpong in 1910 to take up the post of assistant schoolmaster at Dr. Graham's Homes,[19] where he later became Bursar and remained working at the school for the next fourteen years.[20] From 1907 onwards, most schools in Kalimpong had started offering education to Indian students. By 1911, the population comprised many ethnic groups, including Nepalis, Lepchas, Tibetans, Muslims, the Anglo-Indian communities. Hence by 1911, the population had swollen to 7,880.[13]

Following Indian independence in 1947, Kalimpong became part of the state of West Bengal, after Bengal was partitioned between India and East Pakistan. With China's annexation of Tibet in 1959, many Buddhist monks fled Tibet and established monasteries in Kalimpong. These monks brought many rare Buddhist scriptures with them. In 1962, the permanent closure of the Jelep Pass after the Sino-Indian War disrupted trade between Tibet and India, and led to a slowdown in Kalimpong's economy. In 1976, the visiting Dalai Lama consecrated the Zang Dhok Palri Phodang monastery, which houses many of the scriptures.[13]

Most large houses in Kalimpong were built during the British era. In the background is Kangchenjunga.
Morgan House is a classic example of colonial architecture in Kalimpong.

Between 1986 and 1988, the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland and Kamtapur based on ethnic lines grew strong. Riots between the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the West Bengal government reached a stand-off after a forty-day strike. The town was virtually under siege, and the state government called in the Indian army to maintain law and order. This led to the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, a body that was given semi-autonomous powers to govern the Darjeeling district, except the area under the Siliguri subdivision. Since 2007, the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state has been revived by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha and its supporters in the Darjeeling hills.[21] The Kamtapur People's Party and its supporters' movement for a separate Kamtapur state covering North Bengal have gained momentum.[22]

Blocks

Kalimpong I block

The Kalimpong I block consists of 18 gram panchayats; Bong, Kalimpong, Samalbong, Tista, Dr. Graham's Homes, Lower Echhay, Samthar, Neembong, Dungra, Upper Echhay, Seokbir, Bhalukhop, Yangmakum, Pabringtar, Sindebong, Kafer Kanke Bong, Pudung and Tashiding.[5] This block has one police station at Kalimpong.[23] The block is headquartered in Kalimpong.[24]

Kalimpong II block

The Kalimpong II block consists of 7 gram panchayats, namely Dalapchand, Gitdabling, Lava-Gitabeong, Lolay, Payong, Shangse, and Shantuk.[5] This block is served by Kalimpong police station.[23] The block is headquartered in Algarah.[24]

Gorubathan block

The Gorubathan block consists of 11 gram panchayats, namely Dalim, Gorubathan–I, Gorubathan–II, Patengodak, Todey Tangta, Kumai, Pokhreybong, Samsing, Aahaley, Nim and Rongo.[5] This block has two police stations: Gorubathan and Jaldhaka.[23] The block is headquartered in Fagu.[24]

Pedong block

The Pedong block consists of 6 gram panchayats, namely Kage, Kashyong, Lingsey, Lingseykha, Pedong and Syakiyong. This block is served by Kalimpong police station. The block is headquartered in Pedong.

Legislative segments

As per order of the Delimitation Commission in respect of the delimitation of constituencies in West Bengal, the whole area under the district of Kalimpong (formerly Kalimpong subdivision), namely the Kalimpong municipality and the three blocks of Kalimpong–I, Kalimpong–II and Gorubathan together constitutes the Kalimpong assembly constituency of West Bengal. This constituency is part of Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency. Darjeeling is represented by Neeraj Zimba of the Bharatiya Janata Party, while Kalimpong Assembly constituency is represented by Ruden Sada Lepcha of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Tamang faction).[25]

Demographics

According to the 2011 census, Kalimpong district (enumerated as Kalimpong subdivision then) has a population of 251,642. Kalimpong I block had a population of 74,746; Kalimpong II block had a population of 66,830; Gorubathan block had a population of 60,663; and Kalimpong Municipality had a population of 49,403. Kalimpong district has a sex ratio of 959 females per 1000 males. 56,192 (22.33%) live in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 16,433 (6.53%) and 74,976 (29.79%) of the population respectively.[1]

Religion

Religion in Kalimpong district (2011)[26]
Hinduism
 
 60.94%
Buddhism
 
 20.94%
Christianity
 
 14.88%
Islam
 
 1.59%
Traditional religion
 
 1.29%
Other or not stated
 
 0.36%
Religion in present-day Kalimpong district
Religion Population (1941)[27]: 90–91  Percentage (1941) Population (2011)[26] Percentage (2011)
Hinduism 35,928 45.45% 153,355 60.94%
Tribal religion 31,674 40.07% 3,243 1.29%
Christianity 714 0.9% 37,453 14.88%
Islam 324 0.41% 3,998 1.59%
Buddhism --- --- 52,688 20.94%
Others[lower-alpha 4] 10,402 13.16% 905 0.36%
Total Population 79,042 100% 251,642 100%


According to the 2011 census, Hindus numbered 153,355 (60.94%), Buddhists numbered 52,688 (20.94%), Christians numbered 37,453 (14.88%). Muslims numbered 3,998 (1.59%) of the population, while traditional faiths (such as Kirat Mundhum) were 3,243 (1.29%).[26]

Languages

Languages of Kalimpong district (2011)[28][29]

  Nepali (87.61%)
  Hindi (3.18%)
  Lepcha (2.67%)
  Bhojpuri (1.16%)
  Others (5.38%)

At the time of the 1951 census, only 24% of those now living in Kalimpong district spoke Nepali as their mother tongue. Most of the population spoke a variety of other languages such as Rai, Limbu, Lepcha and Tamang, although nearly all could speak Nepali as a second language.[30] By 1961, the proportion of people in Kalimpong returning Nepali as their mother tongue had jumped to 75%. This was accompanied by a dramatic fall in the numbers of other languages spoken by the variety of ethnic groups in the hills.[31]

At the time of the 2011 census, 51.25% of the population spoke Nepali, 3.18% Hindi, 2.67% Lepcha, 1.16% Bhojpuri and 41.74% Others languages as their first language.[28][29]

Flora and fauna

Red Panda at Neora Valley National Park

Kalimpong district is home to the Neora Valley National Park, which has an area of 159.89 km2 (61.73 sq mi).[32] Mammals reported from this area are Indian leopard, five viverrid species, Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, Asian golden cat, wild boar, leopard cat, goral, serow, barking deer, sambar deer, flying squirrel, tahr, red panda and clouded leopard.[33]

Transport

Roadways

National Highways



Railway

The currently functioning nearest railway station from Kalimpong district is Sivok railway station of Darjeeling district and Bagrakote Railway Station of Jalpaiguri district. The nearest major railway stations are Malbazar Junction, Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri railway station.

The under construction Sevoke - Rangpo railway line lies in Kalimpong district from Kalijhora to

Airways

Bagdogra Airport is the nearest airport from southern parts of Kalimpong district, and Pakyong Airport is the nearest airport from northern areas of Kalimpong district.

Rivers

The major rivers flowing through Kalimpong district are River Teesta, River Jaldhaka and River Rangpo. Other rivers are Relli Khola, Riyang Khola,Murti Khola, Reshi Khola, Chel Khola, River Ghish, Bindu Khola, Les Khola, Neora Khola etc.

Notes

  1. ↑ Also spelt Dalingkote and Dalimkot.
  2. ↑ Alternative spellings include "Damsung", "Damsong", "Dumsong", "Dhumsong" etc.
  3. ↑ Also called "Dalim". Variant spellings include "Dhalim" and "Dhaling".
  4. ↑ Including Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Ad-Dharmis, or not stated

References

  1. 1 2 3 "District Census Handbook: Darjeeling" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  2. 1 2 Roy, Survey and Settlement of the Western Duars (2013), pp. 6, 41.
  3. 1 2 "Carved out of Darjeeling, Kalimpong a district today". Times of India. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Kalimpong district may stoke Gorkhaland fire". Hindustan Times. 13 February 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Directory of District, Sub division, Panchayat Samiti/ Block and Gram Panchayats in West Bengal, March 2008". Government of West Bengal. 19 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2009.
  6. 1 2 "History of Kalimpong". Darjeeling News Service. Archived from the original on 5 February 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2007.
  7. ↑ Gurung, Chanda; Gurung, Nawraj (2006). "The Social and Gendered Nature of Ginger Production and Commercialization". In Ronnie Vernooy (ed.). Social and Gender Analysis in Natural Resource Management. International Development Research Centre (Canada), NetLibrary, Inc. pp. 39–43. ISBN 1-55250-218-X.
  8. ↑ Sengupta, Somen (3 September 2006). "Next weekend you can be at ... Kalimpong". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
  9. ↑ Subba, J. R. (2008), History, Culture and Customs of Sikkim, Gyan Publishing House, p. 50, ISBN 9788121209649
  10. ↑ Samanta (2000), p. 43
  11. 1 2 Hunter, W. W. (1876), A Statistical Account Of Bengal, Vol. X: Districts of Darjiling and Jalpaiguri, State of Kuch Behar, London: Trubner & Co, p. 19 – via archive.org: "In August 1866, by a Government Resolution, the hilly tract situated east of the Tista, west of the Ne-chu and De-chu rivers, and south of Independent Sikkim, being part of the territory acquired as the result of the Bhutan campaign of 1864, was added to the jurisdiction of Darjiling, and now forms the tract known as Damsang or Dalingkot."
  12. ↑ Roy, Survey and Settlement of the Western Duars (2013), p. 6: "... the Dalingkot tahsil, which includes the mountainous part of the annexed territory."
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Banerjee, Partha S (19 May 2002). "A quiet hill retreat, far from the tourist crowd". Spectrum, The Tribune.
  14. ↑ Rennie, Bhotan and the Dooar War (1866), pp. 64–66.
  15. ↑ Khawas, Vimal (31 December 2004). "The Forgotten Way: Recalling the road to Lhasa from Kalimpong". The Statesman. The Statesman Ltd.
  16. ↑ Hilker, Deb Shova Kansakar (2005). Syamukapu: The Lhasa Newars of Kalimpong and Kathmandu. Vajra Publications. ISBN 99946-644-6-8. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  17. ↑ Arts of Asia. Vol. 17. Arts of Asia Publications. 1987. p. 107. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  18. ↑ Tsarong, Dundul Namgyal; Chödron, Ani K. Trinlay (2000). Ani K. Trinlay Chödron (ed.). In the service of his country: the biography of Dasang Damdul Tsarong, commander general of Tibet. Snow Lion Publications. p. 35. ISBN 1-55939-151-0. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  19. ↑ Correspondence from Aeneas Francon Williams addressed from Wolseley House, Kalimpong, is stored in the Dr. Graham Kalimpong Archive held at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
  20. ↑ Marriage Certificate for Aeneas Francon Williams and Clara Anne Rendall, 2 December 1914: Findmypast.co.uk – Williams rank of profession is registered as ‘Assistant School Master.’
  21. ↑ "Call for Gorkhaland renewed". Darjeeling Times. 7 October 2007. Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  22. ↑ Press Trust of India (PTI) (29 December 2009). "Now, demand for a separate Kamtapur state in WBengal". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  23. 1 2 3 "District Profile". Official website of Darjeeling district. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  24. 1 2 3 "Contact details of Block Development Officers". Darjeeling district. Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  25. ↑ "Press Note, Delimitation Commission" (PDF). Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal. Delimitation Commission. pp. 5, 23. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  26. 1 2 3 "Table C-01 Population by Religion: West Bengal". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  27. ↑ "CENSUS OF INDIA, 1941 VOLUME VI BENGAL PROVINCE" (PDF). Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  28. 1 2 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. see Kalimpong-I, Kalimpong-II, Gorubuthan blocks
  29. 1 2 "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: West Bengal (Urban)". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. see Kalimpong (M).
  30. ↑ "Table 1.19 Languages: Darjeeling district" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 1951.
  31. ↑ "Table C.V Languages: Darjeeling district" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 1961.
  32. ↑ "National Parks". ENVIS Centre on Wildlife & Protected Areas. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  33. ↑ Archived 3 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine, IBAs in West Bengal – Page 20.
  34. ↑ Aishik Chanda, Doklam effect: Sikkim to get new all-weather highway, The New Indian Express, 28 May 2018.
  35. ↑ Sivok-Rangpo railway: Soon, travel from Bengal to Sikkim in 2 hrs, EastMojo, 21 September 2019.

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