REPORT ON D A R J E E L I N G - GENERAL REMARKS

Aug 26, 2026

The report provides a structured general description of the Darjeeling district under Bengal Government records, detailing geography, boundaries, land and produce, river systems, hill climate, and the Morung region’s historical transfer and settlement. It explains administrative management since the 1838 cession, outlines the Morung’s tribes and agricultural patterns, and describes specific institutional arrangements such as a convalescent depot for European troops and a local corps for military engineering and public works. The document sets a factual baseline for revenue and governance discussions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages92

Reading Time3 h 52 min

AccessFree to download

General Remarks

Description

Boundary

Soil and Produce

Rivers

Climate of the Hills

Morung

Convalescent Depot

Sapper Corps

System of Management

# SELECTIONS FROM # THE RECORDS OF THE # BENGAL GOVERNMENT. 卵u6listeu 6n luthoritp. N°.XVII. # REPORT ON D A R J E EL I N G, BY W.B.JACKSON,EsQ.,C.S. Judge of the Sudder Court. Ca1cutta: THos.JONES,“CALCUTTA GAZET'TE.”OFTICE. 一— CONTENTS. Pages. General Remarks,. . .. .· .. .· .. .. · .. .. 1 Revenue,. .. . .. .. . .. .. .· .. .. .. …9 Judicial—Civil…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………12 Tudicial—Criminal, .. . .. .. .· .. .· .· .· …14 olice, . .. . .· . . . . . .· · . .· 19 ails and Public Buildings and Works, . .· .· . .· ……21 Education,. .. .. .. .. . . .· . ·· . . .· 26 Post Office………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………28 - APPENDIX TO THE REPORT. Pages. No. 1.Application of the Sikim Rajah for a Pension, ·· ……i No. 2. Dr.Campbell's Itinerary from Phari in Thibet to Lassa,. iv No.3. Dr.Campbell's Report on Tea Cultivation, .. …………xxi No. 4. Dr.Campbell's Report suggesting improvements and the appointment of an Uncovenanted Assistant, .. .. .. xxiii No. 5. Rules regarding the recovery of Rent from the holders of land in Darjeeling……………………………………………………………………………XXV No. 6. Order in Council, dated 4th September 1839………………………xxvii No. 7. Bye-laws of lst August 1841……………………………………………………xxxi No. 8. Memo.on the Working of the Civil Court………………………………xxxiii No. 9. Dr.Campbell on Appeals……………………………………………………………XXxvi No.10. Return of Civil Suits for five years, .· .· . . ..Xxxvii No. 11. Two specimens of decisions in Civil Cases, · ……xxxix No.12. Return of Criminal Cases for five years…………………………………xli No. 13. Two specimens of decisions in Criminal Cases, . …xlii No.14. List of Police Thannahs and Subordinate Pharies, . .. xlvi No.15. Statement of Crimes,. . . .· .· .· .· …xlviii No. 16. Plan of the New Jail, .· . .· .· .. ………Facingxlviii No.17. Captain Byng on the Local Corps of Sappers, · .· xlix No.18. Dr. Campbell on the Road from Titalyah to Purneah, ……lvii REPORT ON DA R J E E L ING, BY MR.WELBY JACKSON. GENERAL REMARKS. 1.DESCRIPTION.—THE Darjeeling District is situated to the Northof Zillahs Purneah andRungpore,and may be divided into two portions,the Northern,consisting of a mere succession of hill and valley,withan average altitude of from 4,000 to 9,000 feet above the sea level,andthe Southern,or Morung,of the skirts of the first range of the Hima-layah and the plains lying between that and Zillah Rungpore. 2.BoUNDARY.—On the North the River Rumam divides this Districtfrom Sikim;on the East the Rivers Rungeet and Teestah separate itfrom Bootan;on the West the River Mechi divides it from Nepal;fromthe source of the Mechi Northward the ridge of the Tonglo and Phullootmountains carry the Western boundary North to the River Rumam:tothe South the district is contiguous with the Zillahs Rungpore andPurneah. 3.SoL AND PRODUCE.—In the Report of the Superintendent(Dr.Campbell,)of the 23rd May 1851,it is stated that the Southern tract,called the Morung,“formerly belonged to Sikim:it was ceded to theBritish Government by the Treaty with Nepal of 1816,and at the sametime granted to the Sikim Rajah:the total area may be reckoned at 4,000 square miles.”Again,“the upper portion of the Morung liesimmediately at the base of the mountains,is chiefy covered with forestand jungle,much of which is suited for the growth of cotton;has a veryfertile soil,and is inhabited by two tribes,the Mechis and the Dhimals, ## (2 ) who do not suffer from its unhealthy climate but get ill on leaving it forthe open plains.The lower Morung is more open and cleared,has also avery fertile soil,in which the principal cultivation is rice,and is chieflyinhabited by the Cooch tribe.” 4.RIVERS.—The principal rivers of the Morung are the ChengaBalasun,Mohanuddi and Teestah,none navigable in this part of theircourse. 5.CLIMATE OF THE HILLS.—The North or mountainous portion ofthe district is extremely cool and healthy,with the exception of parti

FAQs

Darjeeling district is how the report divided and what key physical features are described?

It divides the district into two portions: the Northern section of successive hills and valleys and the Southern Morung region at the Himalayan foothills and adjoining plains. The report gives altitude ranges and summarizes each portion’s landscape characteristics.

What boundary rivers and neighboring regions does the report mention?

On the north it separates from Sikim by the River Rumam; on the east it separates from Bhutan by the Rivers Rungeet and Teestah; on the west it separates from Nepal by the River Mechi, with additional mountain ridges mentioned for the western boundary.

What institutions and roles are described in the report for Darjeeling’s administration and services?

The report describes a convalescent depot for European troops, including its location, elevation, staffing roles, and seasonal movement of men. It also details a Sapper Corps of local workers used for military station duties and road and public works, highlighting its value in communications.

Aug 26, 2026

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