INTRODUCTION CITY HISTORY

Gangtok, the capital and largest town of the north-eastern Gangtok found its mention as a part of the silk route in the
state of Sikkim lies in the eastern Himalayan range at an elevation first century which carried Silk from China to Western parts of the
of 1,650 m (5,410 ft). It is one of the fastest growing town of Sikkim. world.

• Gangtok was a small hermitage town in the early 18th century,

alongwith old rumtek Monastery.

• Thereafter Gangtok gained importance in 1840 with the

construction of Enchey Monastery as a Buddhist pilgrimage town.

• Later, Gangtok became a mojor spot in the silk route due to

which it experienced drastic development and population of
immigrants increased.

• During 1903 and 1904, Tibet was invaded by the British on the
pretext of preventing the Russian Empire from capturing the
region. The British officials had set up a military garrison in one
of the districts of Tibet.

• In 1947, when India gained its independence, Sikkim chose to be

an independent nation.

• In 1962, due Indo-China war, mountain trade routes were closed

until 2006.

• In 1975, Sikkim joined with India to become its 22nd state.

ACCESS POPULATION AREA

• During 1980s, development in Gangtok increased, road
Bagdogra Airport 1 Lac. 19.2 k.m.2 upgradations, infrastructure development, governmental
(124 k.m.) (Census 2011)
headquaters etc. As the inflow of tourists increased numerous
attractions were built.
The town’s population of 100,000 are from different ethnicities
such as Bhutia, Lepchas and Indian Gorkhas. Within the higher peaks
of the Himalaya and with a year-round mild temperate climate, Fig.: A systems chart generated out of the social, political and cultural history of Gangtok
in a timeline backdrop. It also shows particular events affecting the history and evolution.
Gangtok is at the centre of Sikkim’s tourism industry. SOURCE: Regional Landscape Study - Gangtok, Sikkim

EVOLUTION OF GANGTOK CITY OVER TIME

UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING THE CITY - GANGTOK

SETTLEMENT PLANNING
PROF. BARSA MOHANTY
1
GROWTH OF GANGTOK
Gangtok has experienced static growth over time keeping the
city center remained resulting in overcrowding of the center. Later,
the heart of the city, M.G. Marg was turned pedestrian only path to
overcome the overcrowding of the place.
LAND-USE PATTERN OF GANGTOK
Gangtok is located at a very high altitude and major part of
the district has been covered by dense forests. Mostly builtup areas
are along the major roads linearly and most construction has been
done near the ridge and mountain cuts.
ECONOMY OF GANGTOK
Economy of Gangtok has been greatly influenced with the
tourism in the state but still majority of population depends upon
agriculture and lifestock for their livelihood where some earns as
less as 5000/month.
UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING THE CITY - GANGTOK
SETTLEMENT PLANNING
IMPORTANT SPOTS IN GANGTOK
• ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER: In the begining many governmental buildings were built around
this place but later the city center was moved to MG Marg which later became the heart of
the city - commercially as well as in terms of administration.
• ENCHEY MONASTERY: This was one of
the monastery which was built during
the period, when settlement began to
happen over this place. Therefore, it
holds a very strong historic background
of the city.
• M. G. MARG: This is the most happening
place in the city as this is centrel
shopping hub of the state having
various important buildings nearby like
State Legislative Assrmbly, Sikkim High
Court, S.T.D.C. etc.
• SIKKIM LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
• NAMGYAL INSTITUTE OF TIBETOLOGY
Fig.: Map displaying important spots and overly crowded places in Gangtok w.r.t. current scenario.
SOURCE: Author
COMPOSITION OF POPULATION IN GANGTOK
Nepalis contribute much in the composition of population data of the
city while Lepcha, Limbu and Bhutia are also present in significant numbers.
PROF. BARSA MOHANTY
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