Algarah

Algarah Algarah Bazar
Town
Algarah Location in West Bengal, India
Coordinates: 27°07′04″N88°35′01″E / 27.1178°N 88.5836°E / 27.1178; 88.5836 Coordinates: 27°07′04″N88°35′01″E / 27.1178°N 88.5836°E / 27.1178; 88.5836
Country	India
State	West Bengal
District	Kalimpong
Elevation	1,780 m (5,840 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	1,957
Languages
• Official	Nepali, Bengali, English,
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	734 314
Telephone code	03552
Vehicle registration	WB-78, 79
Nearest city	Kalimpong
Website	kalimpongdistrict.in

Algarah (also known as Algarah Bazar) is a town in Lava CD block in the Kalimpong subdivision of the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, India. ^[1] The town lies on National Highway-717A connecting Bagrakote to Gangtok. ^[2]

Geography

[Interactive fullscreen map]

Places in the Kalimpong subdivision (Kalimpong district)
CT: census town, R: rural/ urban centre, M: municipality, F: facility, NP: national park
Abbreviations used in names – TG for Tea Garden (town/village)
Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly

Location

Algarah is located at 27°07′04″N88°35′01″E / 27.1178°N 88.5836°E / 27.1178; 88.5836

It is located at a distance of 15 km east of Kalimpong town on the way to Lava at an elevation of 1,780 m (5,840 ft). It has a population of about 3,000. Algarah lies on the historical Indo-Tibetan trade route via the Jelepla Pass.

Area overview

The map alongside shows the Kalimpong subdivision, the sole subdivision of the Kalimpong district. Physiographically, this area forms the Kalimpong Range, with the average elevation varying from 300 to 3,000 metres (980 to 9,840 ft). This region is characterized by abruptly rising hills and numerous small streams. ^[3] It is a predominantly rural area with 77.67% of the population living in rural areas and only 22.23% living in the urban areas. While Kalimpong is the only municipality, Dungra is the sole census town in the entire area. ^[4] The economy is agro-based and there are 6 tea gardens in the Gorubathan CD block. ^[5] In 2011, Kalimpong subdivision had a literacy rate of 81.85%, comparable with the highest levels of literacy in the districts of the state. ^{[6] [7]} While the first degree college in the subdivision was established at Kalimpong in 1962 ^[8] the entire subdivision (and now the entire district), other than the head-quarters, had to wait till as late as 2015 (more than half a century) to have their first degree colleges at Pedong and Gorubathan. ^{[9] [10]}

Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Census of India, Algarah Bazer DIF had a total population of 1,957 of which 982 (50%) were males and 975 (50%) were females. There were 182 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The total number of literate people in Algarah Bazer DIF was 1,449 (81.63% of the population over 6 years). ^[11]

Civic administration

CD block HQ

Headquarters of Lava CD block is at Algarah Bazar. ^[12]

History

Algarah is famous for the remains of the ancient Damsang Gadi (Damsang Fort). It is said that the Lepcha king Gaeboo Achyuk (Gyalpo Ajok; Wylie : rgyal po a 'lcog) built this fort in 1690 with the help of spirits who brought big round smooth stones from the Reshi river. And the remnants of the fort still exist. There have been many stories passed from generation to generation about King Achyuk. It was believed that he used to possess some kind of supernatural powers. There are stories about some hidden treasures guarded by some kind of supernatural forces and also tunnels built by Achyuk. The fort was initially built to fight the Drukpas of Bhutan. There are many myths about Drukpas fearing to visit the place as it was believed that King Gaeboo Achyuk was killed by the Bhutanese by forgery. It is believed that any Drukpa visiting that place will be struck to death due to some supernatural force.

The fort was later used to ward off the forces of the British East India Company. It into ruin after the 1864 Anglo-Bhutan War. Every year on 20 December, Lepchas from all the adjoining regions (Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Sikkim) come to Damsang Fort to celebrate the birthday of King Gaeboo Achyuk and to attend some auspicious rituals that is followed from generation to generation by the Lepcha tribes.

Healthcare

There is a primary health centre, with 2 beds, at Algarah. ^[13]

Transport

As Algarah lies on the National Highway-717A connecting Bagrakote to Gangtok which is extended by NHIDCL. ^[14] Taxis, Jeeps, Buses etc are available from Algarah to cities and towns like Kalimpong, Pedong, Rhenock, Labha, Rongli, Gorubathan, Siliguri etc. Three important road network meets at Algarah, Rhenock- Resi- Kalimpong Road, Algarah- Labha- Gorubathan Road and Rangpo- Munsoong- Pedong road.

Pakyong Airport is 55 kilometres away from the town, and Bagdogra International Airport is 92 kilometres away. The nearest railway station is Malbazar Junction.

References

1. "Kalimpong gets new block in Pedong". The Telegraph, 6 July 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
2. "Doklam effect: Sikkim to get new all-weather highway- The New Indian Express".
3. "District Census Handbook, Darjeeling, Series 20, Part XII A, 2011 Census of India" (PDF). Page 13: Physiography. Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
4. "District Statistical Handbook 2013 Darjeeling". Table 2.4b. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 6 April 2020.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
5. "About Kalimpong District". Tea Gardens. District administration. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
6. "District Statistical Handbook 2013 Darjeeling". Table 4.5. Department of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 6 April 2020.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
7. "Provisional Population Totals Paper 1 of 2011 : West Bengal". Statement-4 Ranking of Districts by Literacy Rate in 2001 and 2011. Office of the Registrar General and & Census Commissioner, India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
8. "Kalimpong College". College Admission. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
9. "Government General Degree College at Pedong". GGDC. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
10. "Government General Degree College, Gorubathan". GGDC. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
11. "2011 Census – Primary Census Abstract Data Tables". West Bengal – District-wise. Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
12. "District Census Handbook: Darjiling" (PDF). Map of District Darjiling with CD block HQs and Police Stations (on the fifth page). Directorate of Census Operations, West Bengal, 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
13. "Health & Family Welfare Department" (PDF). Health Statistics – Primary Health Centres. Government of West Bengal. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
14. "Doklam effect: Sikkim to get new all-weather highway- The New Indian Express".