The Rise of Siliguri: A Growing Jewel of North Bengal

India is experiencing rapid growth, ranking among the world’s fastest-growing economies. As the nation prospers, its cities are evolving swiftly, with Siliguri in northern West Bengal emerging as a standout. Alongside Guwahati, Siliguri is a key driver of development in India’s eastern region. Its strategic location enhances its significance, making it a vital hub for both domestic and international connectivity.

The Siliguri Corridor, often called the "Chicken’s Neck," links Northeast India to the rest of the country and serves as a trade lifeline to Bhutan, Nepal, China, and Bangladesh. It also supports hilly regions like Darjeeling and Kalimpong. This geographical advantage positions Siliguri as a critical economic and cultural bridge.

Unraveling Siliguri’s Origins

Despite limited historical data, research reveals intriguing theories about Siliguri’s name. One suggests it derives from the Nepali word sali, meaning bow, noted by a British writer in his 1835 book on the Darjeeling district. Another theory ties it to the stones along the Mahananda River, where Siliguri means "stock of pebbles and stones." Locals also propose it stems from sil (stone) and ghadi (location) in Nepali dialect. Historically, Siliguri was part of the Baikunthpur forests, home to the Rajvanshi (Koch) tribes, who may have named it Silkhaguri.

The city’s history splits into two regions divided by the Mahananda River: west of Mahananda to east of Methi, once Sikkim Morang, and the area around Phuleswari River. Both fell under the Hussain Shahi Dynasty of Bengal. Later, in 1522, Koch Vishwa Singh established Baikunthpur as his capital after defeating Bhutan and Gaud kings. The Darjeeling Terai, including East Morang, remained under Koch rule until the 19th century, later transitioning to Sikkim’s territory, known as Sikkim Terai. The British historian William Wilson Hunter described it as uninhabitable in his Statistical Account of Bengal, a dense forest area.

British Influence and Transformation

In 1793, Lord Cornwallis’s Permanent Settlement reorganized land revenue, renaming the Mahananda-Phuleshwari region as Baikunthpur. By the 1860s, tea plantations began, with estates like New Chimta and Matigara attracting workers from Chhota Nagpur and Santhal tribes. Forests were cleared for railways, starting in 1878, with Moti Gada and Mallaghuri as early sites. Joseph Dalton Hooker labeled Siliguri a malaria hotspot, deterring British settlement until rail connectivity improved.

The Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816) ended with the Treaty of Sugauli, ceding Sikkim to the British, who annexed Darjeeling in 1835. The Hill Cart Road and toy train to Darjeeling, launched in 1881, boosted trade. By 1901, Siliguri’s population was a mere 168, growing to 10,000 by the 1940s as forests gave way to settlements.

Modern Development

Railway expansion, including the Siliguri Junction and New Jalpaiguri station (1959), fueled growth. Nepali labor shaped neighborhoods like Pradhan Nagar and Bagdogra. Post-1947, migration from Bengal’s partition swelled Siliguri, with 5,258 refugees settling by 1971. Infrastructure projects like the Mahananda Bridge and Teesta Bridge (1965) enhanced connectivity. Floods in 1968 shifted focus from Jalpaiguri to Siliguri, sparking black-market trade.

By 1994, Siliguri upgraded to a municipal corporation, expanding from 15.4 to 41.9 square kilometers. Today, it boasts malls, hospitals, and a projected population exceeding 1 million by 2024. Diverse communities—Bengali, Nepali, Marwari, Bihari—have shaped its identity, united by shared progress.

Siliguri’s journey from forests to a thriving city reflects resilience and collaboration. What’s your take on this story? Share your thoughts below or suggest topics for our next North Bengal exploration. Thank you for joining us!