Darjeeling (/dɑːrˈdʒiːlɪŋ/, Bengali: [ˈdarˌdʒiliŋ], Nepali: [darˈd͡ziliŋ]) is a city and municipality in the northern Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in the Eastern Himalayas with an average elevation of 2,045 meters (6,709 ft). Darjeeling is the easternmost province of Nepal to the west, the state of Bhutan to the east, the Indian state of Sikkim to the north and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north. Bangladesh lies to the south and southeast and most of West Bengal lies to the south and southwest, connected to the Darjeeling region by a narrow strip of land. Kanchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world, rising in the north and clearly visible on a clear day.
During the East India Company's rule in India in the early 19th century, Darjeeling was identified as a potential summer resort for British officers, soldiers and their families. The narrow ridge was leased from the state of Sikkim, which was eventually incorporated into British India. Experiments in tea cultivation in the lower slopes of Darjeeling were very successful. Thousands of labourers, mainly from Nepal, were recruited to clear forests, build European-style huts and work on tea plantations. Massive deforestation has resulted in the displacement of tribals. Boarding schools were established in and around Darjeeling to educate the children of British Residents in India. In the late 19th century, a novel narrow-gauge mountain railway, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, brought summer residents to the city and exported tea around the world. After India's independence in 1947, after the British left Darjeeling, wealthy Indians bought huts in the plains here, while Indian businessmen and out-of-town groups bought tea estates.
Darjeeling's population today consists mainly of tribals and descendants of migrant laborers who participated in the early development of the city. Although their common language, Nepali, has been officially recognized at the state and federal levels in India, this recognition has not created any meaningful employment opportunities for its speakers, nor improved their chances of having a greater say in political affairs. power. The tea industry and tourism are the economic backbone of the city. Since India's independence, deforestation in the region has caused environmental damage, affecting the perennial springs that supply the city with water. Meanwhile, Darjeeling's population has exploded over the years and uncontrolled construction, traffic congestion and water shortages are commonplace. Many local youth educated in public schools have migrated due to lack of jobs matching their skills. Like immigrants from other parts of Northeast India, they too faced discrimination and racism in some Indian cities.
The culture of Darjeeling is extremely cosmopolitan - a result of the amalgamation of different peoples and their evolution away from their historical roots. The local cuisine of the region is rich in fermented foods and beverages. Tourists have been flocking to Darjeeling since the mid-19th century. In 1999, with the support of the international community, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2005, Darjeeling tea was awarded a Geographical Indication by the World Trade Organization to protect the brand and promote its origin.
