Jalpaiguri Tourism

History of Jalpaiguri

The town of Jalpaiguri lies in the state of West Bengal and is headquarter of the Jalpaiguri district as well as the divisional headquarter of the North Bengal Region. The city has an elevation of 75 m and lies in the middle of the boundless fertile plains at the south of the Himalayas, providing a glimpse of Mount Kanchenjunga. The town is surrounded by the Teesta River, which is the second largest river in West Bengal. Other rivers passing through the city include Karala, Dharala, and Panga. Karala is a small river that flows in the centre of the town separating it into two halves due to which it is referred as the Thames of Jalpaiguri.

People and Culture of Jalpaiguri

Jalpaiguri was originally established as a trading centre. The word Jalpaiguri is derived from the Bhutanese phrase ?place where warm clothes are bought and sold? as well as from the Bengali term ?jolpai? meaning olive. The town has been the capital of the Raikats of Baikunthapur. It has also been part of the Duars area of old Kamarupa, which later went into the hands of the Bhutanese. The Bhutanese divided the area into two parts, combining the eastern half with the Goalpara District. The western half was later formed into a new district, Western Duars, which in 1869 was recognised by the name Jalpaiguri.

The town is famous for its tea cultivation, which became its main profession during the late 19th and early 20th century, after the Britishers in the northeast region founded the town. The profitable market of tea cultivation prevailing in Jalpaiguri has brought out the cosmopolitan nature of the town, prompting many people from all over the country to settle here. This has also listed the town amongst the cultural and commercial hubs of West Bengal.

Things To Do in Jalpaiguri

The railway link between Kolkata and Darjeeling also makes Jalpaiguri one of the well-connected towns of West Bengal. The town also offers many places of interest and attractions like Jalpaiguri Rajbari, which is a palace in the town known for its large unsupported concrete arch structure. It also has many lakes. The Jalpaiguri Nawab Bari, which is the circuit bench of the Kolkata High Court, is also a famous attraction of the town. The parks and gardens along with the Sunrise Point at Teesta are also popular.