The Origin and Growth of Kalimpong as an Urban Hill Station in Colonial India: A Historical Study

Abstract

Urbanization has not been uniform all over the world. Different ages have witnessed localized growth. The degree of urbanization of a nation is generally defined as a proportion of the population resident in urban places. Kalimpong as a hill urban centre was developed later than the most hill stations in India. Kalimpong was nowhere on the map of India before 1865. Actually, the region of Kalimpong was originally a part of Sikkim from which it was taken over by Bhutan. Finally following a defeat in the Anglo- Bhutanese war in 1865 Bhutan handed over the tract to the British government of India in 1865. The trend of urbanization in Kalimpong was not same as the satellite town of Darjeeling rather Kalimpong civil station had a character of its own, totally different from the seasonal retreats by virtue of their social life, their good spirits and style. Above all it was meant for the Indians and Anglo- Indians.