The iconic Clock Tower of Darjeeling, WB, India: The British-era edify needs to be preserved for the posterity

colonial Clock tower, Darjeeling, west Bengal. alamy com.

Darjeeling, a charming hill station in West Bengal, is dotted with colonial landmarks that echo its rich British-era past. A standout among these is the Darjeeling Municipality Building on Laden-La Road, crowned by an impressive clock tower. Originally erected in 1850 and later transformed into a Town Hall, the building served as the town’s first public venue for meetings, parties, and balls. It has since been declared a heritage site by the West Bengal Heritage Commission. 

The clock tower, close to the Chowk and Mall markets, a has four faces just like the Big Ben of London. The octagonal gable roof and a flag staff on top never fail to get the attention of the visitors. Its original splendor needs to be periodically maintained, ensuring that the building remains a living testament to the town’s historical legacy................... 

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The foundation stone of the hall was laid by Lord Ronaldshay in October 1917, and the building was inaugurated in 1921. Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 lakh—with half the expense borne by the Maharajah of Cooch Behar—the structure includes a spacious hall for 600 people, a reading room, and an open square. Dominating its façade is a 100-ft-high stone clock tower with an octagonal gable roof and flag-staff. The clock, crafted by GT Gent and Company of England, chimes melodiously every hour.

The area around the clock tower is called 'Chowrasta', meaning   Four Roads called  a bustling downtown area replete with many business shops.  Many colonial structures, despite time and vagaries of changing weather and climate, have never lost the old-world charm which is just irresistible. The old municipal building and other structures like the clock tower are  heritage landmarks.

The sporadic violence caused by the  Gorkhaland movement in mid-80s  in this part had a deep impact on the business and tourist industry.  Subsequently after a long spell normalcy was restored in this part.  Although it suffered a setback during a devastating fire in 1996, the clock was meticulously restored in 2006 through the dedicated efforts of the Darjeeling Rotary Club.  The busy downtown area  with  a vibrant atmosphere   continues to enchant visitors and locals alike.  Today, this iconic edifice not only serves as the administrative heart of Darjeeling but also as a cultural landmark, drawing admiration from historians, architects, and visitors alike for its timeless elegance and past stories. No doubt, these heritage landmarks need to be preserved for the posterity. The scenic rolling   hills near-by are dotted with well-maintained  pretty old tea gardens established by the British that add more charm to this hill station.