Himalayan Journals — Complete: Or, Notes of a Naturalist in Bengal, the Sikkim and Nepal Himalayas, the Khasia Mountains, etc.Hooker, Joseph Dalton
History
Himalayan Journals — Complete: Or, Notes of a Naturalist in Bengal, the Sikkim and Nepal Himalayas, the Khasia Mountains, etc.
Hooker, Joseph Dalton
Himalaya Mountains -- Description and travel; Natural history -- Himalaya Mountains
The next step taken was that of requesting the Rajah to cede a tract of
country which should include Dorjiling, for an equivalent in money or
land. His first demand was unreasonable; but on further consideration
he surrendered Dorjiling unconditionally, and a sum of 300 pounds per
annum was granted to him as an equivalent for what was then a worthless
uninhabited mountain. In 1840 Dr. Campbell was removed from Nepal as
superintendent of the new station, and was entrusted with the charge of
the political relations between the British and Sikkim government.
Once established, Dorjiling rapidly increased. Allotments of land were
purchased by Europeans for building dwelling-houses; barracks and a
bazaar were formed, with accommodation for invalid European soldiers; a
few official residents, civil and military, formed the nucleus of a
community, which was increased by retired officers and their families,
and by temporary visitors in search of health, or the luxury of a cool
climate and active exercise.
For the first few years matters went on smoothly with the Rajah, whose
minister (or Dewan) was upright and intelligent: but the latter, on his
death, was succeeded by the present Dewan, a Tibetan, and a relative of
the Ranee (or Rajah’s wife); a man unsurpassed for insolence and
avarice, whose aim was to monopolise the trade of the country, and to
enrich himself at its expense. Every obstacle was thrown by him in the
way of a good understanding between Sikkim and the British government.
British subjects were rigorously excluded from Sikkim; every liberal
offer for free trade and intercourse was rejected, generally with
insolence; merchandise was taxed, and notorious offenders, refugees
from the British territories, were harboured; despatches were detained;
and the Vakeels, or Rajah’s representatives, were chosen for their
insolence and incapacity. The conduct of the Dewan throughout was
Indo-Chinese; assuming, insolent, aggressive, never perpetrating open
violence, but by petty insults effectually preventing all good
understanding. He was met by neglect or forbearance on the part of the
Calcutta government; and by patience and passive resistance at
Dorjiling. Our inaction and long-suffering were taken for weakness, and
our concessions for timidity. Such has been our policy in China, Siam,
and Burmah, and in each instance the result has been the same. Had it
been insisted that the terms of the treaty should be strictly kept, and
had the first act of insolence been noticed, we should have maintained
the best relations with Sikkim, whose people and rulers (with the
exception of the Dewan and his faction) have proved themselves friendly
throughout, and most anxious for unrestricted communication.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account