Partition, Urbanization, and Informal Economies: A Case Study of Darjeeling District with Special Reference to Siliguri Municipal Corporation

Abstract

The study attempted to explore the transformative impact of partition on the urbanization trends and informal economic activities in the Darjeeling district based on various census publications from 1901 to 2011. The Darjeeling district of West Bengal is significant in partition studies due to its unique geopolitical, socio-cultural, and economic context during and after the Partition of India in 1947. As a strategic region near the borders of Nepal, Bhutan, and China, it gained prominence for its tea plantations, inhabited by a diverse population. The Partition exacerbated identity and administrative issues in the district, including debates over its inclusion in West Bengal and demands for greater autonomy. In this research paper, the percentage share of the urban area, volume, trend, degree, pace, and tempo of urbanization in the pre-and post-partition periods in the study area was examined extensively. The results show a steady growth of the urban population in the district after independence. When compared with the national average, it is observed that urbanization in the district is relatively faster. This steady pace of urbanization has resulted in the growth of various informal sectors, such as small-scale retail, street vending, and informal transportation services, which have become integral parts of the economic landscape of the study area. This informal economy sector in the Darjeeling district has not only provided livelihoods to a significant portion of the population but also contributed to the socio-economic resilience of the district amidst rapid urban changes.