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Research Paper | Social Science | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 1095 - 1097 | India
The Politics of Controlled Spaces: The Territorial Struggle and Spatial Contestation in Darjeeling
Abstract: The period post 1950s has witnessed a paradigm shift in terms of the meaning and definition of ?development? and the entire process therein. From the comprehension of the meaning of development solely as economic growth to the process of structural changes, liberalisation, neo-liberalisation and finally to human growth, sustainable development and inclusive growth have produced and created a theoretical premise for understanding both the nature of development as well as under-development. Thus, the socio-economic differences conceived as a result of such changes in the development framework and theory itself, emphasising on labour and capital, development and underdevelopment etc. have also induced spatial restructuring and re-establishment analogous to the concept of core and periphery, mainland and frontier zones, hills and plains etc. The spatial heterogeneities have therefore always been in existence whereby some areas have been able to climb the ladder of development taking advantage of their available resources, infrastructure and socio-economic opportunities while other areas have lagged behind and continue to occupy the lower end of the development ladder. The areas at the lower end of the developmental hierarchy are therefore those that occupy the positions among the peripheral regions and remain excluded from the core i.e. development itself. Thus, the concept of inclusion/exclusion is also heightened which further helps in demarcating the territoriality of the dominant group vis-a-vis the dominated group. Darjeeling Hills, therefore presents a similar story of remaining excluded from the rest of the state of Bengal in terms of its geography, language and culture etc. The designation of this strip of land as an excluded and partially excluded area right from the British period has stirred the region with contestations and counter-contestations.
Keywords: Darjeeling Hills, identity, exclusion, development, Spatial Inequality
How to Cite?: Phup Kesang Bhutia, "The Politics of Controlled Spaces: The Territorial Struggle and Spatial Contestation in Darjeeling", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1095-1097, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26619211119, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26619211119