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"Northwards soared
The stainless ramps of huge Himala's wall
Ranged in white ranks against the blue-untrod
Infinite, Wonderful- who se uplands vast
and lifted Universe of crest and crag,
Shoulder and Shelf, green slope and icy horn
Riven ravine, and splintered precipice
Led climbing thought higher and higher, until
It seemed to stand in heaven and speak with God"
- Sir Edwin Arnold
The present history of Darjeeling starts with the Deed of Grant by the Rajah of Sikkim executed on February 1, 1835 in favour of East India Company through the constant efforts of S.W. Grant and G. W.A.Lloyd. The Deed of Grant reads as follows:
The Governor General having expressed his desire for the possession of the hill 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 Sikkimputtee Rajah, out of friendship for the said Governor General, hereby present Darjeeling to the East India Company, that is all the land south of the Great Rangit rivers, east of Balasun, Kahail and little Rangit rivers and west of Rungno and Mahanadi rivers.
The year 1 839 was the most important in the history of Darjeeling - the year the road which connected the hill station with the plains - its lifeline-was built. Right from the start it had been pointed out by the planners: NO ROAD - NO DARJEELING and 1839 was the most critical and historic year when the decision was finally taken to go ahead with the road plans. The pioneers who came to open up Darjeeling after it has been ceded in 1835 were confronted with ardous journey from Calcutta before they reached the hills. A guide to Darjeeling published in 1 838 mentioned 98 hours as the time the journey took from Calcutta by dawk as follows:
54 hours Calcutta to Maldah
16 hours Malda to Dinajpur
20 hours Dinajpur to Titaliya
8 hours Titaliya to the foot of the hills
The whole journey to Darjeeling lasted five or six days and the discomfort and expenses were graphically described by Sir Joseph Hooker who in 1 848 at a cost of Rs. 240/- had the occasion to perform the journey...