Volume-XII, Issue-II, March 2026 |
জলপাইগুড়ির ভৌগোলিক ইতিহাস: নদী, বন ও জনবসতির রূপান্তর মস্তাফিজুর আলম, ছাত্র, যাদবপুর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, কলকাতা, পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, ভারত |
Received: 07.03.2026 | Accepted: 19.03.2026 | Published Online: 31.03.2026 | Page No: | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.12.issue.02W. | |||||||
Geographical History of Jalpaiguri: Transformation of Rivers, Forests, and Settlements Mustafizur Alam, Student, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
Historical Geography is a discipline where the mutual relationship between human society and changes in topography, rivers, climate, forests, and natural resources is analyzed. In other words, the history of a region is not explained merely as a sequence of political or social events, but rather through the lens of its geographical characteristics.¹ From this perspective, the Jalpaiguri district is a significant field of research. Situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in North Bengal, this region has long been shaped by the interactions of rivers, forests, and alluvial soil, which have deeply influenced its settlements, economy, and administrative development. The geographical identity of Jalpaiguri is primarily linked to the Terai and Dooars regions. The word ‘Dooars’ means "door" or "gateway"—highlighting the region's historical importance as a passage toward Bhutan and Northeast India. Rivers descending from the Himalayas, such as the Teesta, Torsa, and Jaldhaka, have shaped the topography of this region over ages. While the accumulation of river silt created fertile plains, frequent floods and changes in river courses led to the relocation of settlements and shifts in landforms. In particular, the change in the course of the Teesta River marked a historical turning point in the topography and economic structure of North Bengal.² After the establishment of British rule in the 19th century, administrative and economic transformations began, centered around Jalpaiguri's geographical features. Clearing forests for the expansion of tea gardens, the construction of railways, and the enactment of forest conservation laws—these steps were directly linked to the physical landscape. The development of the tea industry influenced not only the economy but also the demographic structure; the influx of laborers from various regions gave rise to a multicultural society.³ An analysis of Jalpaiguri’s historical geography reveals that the relationship between nature and humans here was dynamic and mutually dependent. Just as rivers fertilized agriculture, they also brought about the devastation of floods. While forests provided economic resources, conservation policies led to changes in the land-tenure system. Following the Partition, border restructuring and population growth further influenced this geographical framework.⁴ This essay will analyze the historical evolution of Jalpaiguri’s geographical location, river systems, forests, climate, and economic structure. The primary objective is to determine the interrelationship between geography and history and to demonstrate how geographical elements played a decisive role in the social and economic transformation of Jalpaiguri. | ||
Keywords: Jalpaiguri, Historical Geography, Teesta River, Dooars Region, Terai Region, Forest, Biodiversity, Colonial Economy, Tea Industry, Human Settlement, Border, River System, Natural Resources. |