Darjeeling is a popular hill station, surrounded by tea plantations on all sides. The views over the mountains to the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga and down to the swollen rivers in the valley are magnificent. Buddhist monasteries, tea plantations, colourful markets and handicrafts shops. Trekking are some of the major attractions, not to mention the famous 'toy train' which is part of the fun in getting there. Excursions include Kalimpong on the foothills and deep valleys of the Himalayas; Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, overflowing with ancient temples, palaces, monasteries and colourful bazaars. Darjeeling tea is one of the finest teas in the world and the snowcapped mountains form a picturesque background to the many tea plantations in the region.
In 1817, the East India Company struggled with Himalayan States on behalf of Raja of Sikkim, The Raja of Sikkim restored the country between Mechi and the Tista rivers.This was the result of the Treaty of Titaliya of 1817.Ten years after the treaty,disputes on the Sikkim-Nepal frontiers arose and the then Governor General sent two Officers viz. Captain Lloyd and Mr. Grant.They recommended the present place of Darjeeling as a site for a sanatorium.The Governor General then deputed Captain Herbert, the Deputy Surveyor General to examine the country. The court of Directors approved the project. General Lloyd was directed to start negotiations with Raja of Sikkim and he succeeded in obtaining the execution of a deed grant by the Raja of Sikkim on 1st February, 1835.
The Governor-General having expressed his desire for the possession of the hills of Darjeeling on account of its cool climate, for the purpose of enabling the servants of his Government, suffering from sickness, to avail themselves of its advantages, I the Sikkimputtee Rajah out of friendship for the said Governor-General, hereby present Darjeeling to the East India, that is, all the land south of the Great Runjeet river, east of the Balasur, Kahail and Little Runjeet rivers, and west of the Rungpo and Mahanadi rivers." This was an unconditional cession of what was then a worthless uninhabited mountain; but in 1841 the government granted the Raja an allowance of Rs. 3,000 as compensation, and raised the grant to Rs. 6,000 in1846.
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