About Takdah

History

Takdah is a quiet hill station near Darjeeling known for its colonial-era charm, vast tea gardens, and misty, forested landscapes. Its name is derived from the Lepcha word “Tukdah,” meaning “mist” or “fog,” which perfectly describes its often cloud-covered atmosphere. It’s a popular offbeat destination for travelers seeking a peaceful mountain retreat away from more crowded tourist spots.

Takdah was chosen as a military cantonment for British officers and Gurkha troops just before World War I (1914-1918). In a very short time the British Officers arrived and Takdah soon experienced a construction spree of Single Man Barracks and Army Officer’s Bungalows. Takdah became a little England within a few years with its own churches, clubs and markets at Dokan Dara.

After the war, some of the bungalows and villas were taken up by the British Tea Planters and other local families. However, most of the bungalows were auctioned off by the British in Calcutta and subsequently bought by Bengalee families of repute. In due course of time, mostly in the late eighties, the bungalows and villas were sold over to local families and institutions of Takdah.

Today, Takdah is a busy tourist destination known for its rich heritage, lush tea gardens, hanging bridges, pine forests, view points and a fabulous orchid center. Some of the bungalows and villas have been renovated to its former glory by its present owners and is being operated as resorts and home stays. Even today, Takdah exudes the old-world charm of a British Cantonment and staying a few days here is like time-travelling.