The West Bengal Heritage Commission (WBHC) has announced plans to restore and preserve the historic Dalim Lepcha Fort in Gorubathan, Kalimpong. The 18th-century fort, built by the last Lepcha King Pano Gaeboo Achyok, holds significant cultural and historical importance for the Lepcha community. Located atop Dalim Hill, the fort is a symbol of the Lepchas’ resilience against invasions, especially from the Bhutanese.
The fort, spanning 1.5 acres, features a 16-foot-high wall and four rooms with 8-foot-thick walls. Its strategic position allowed defenders to fend off invaders. Historically, King Achyok used the fort to protect his people from Bhutanese invasions, including a tragic episode where he was betrayed and beheaded by the Bhutanese forces during a peace meeting. Local folklore claims his severed head flew to the Chel River, now known as Bhutaydaha, marking the event as a mystical tragedy.
The fort was declared a heritage site by the WBHC in 2018. Restoration efforts, supported by the West Bengal Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board, aim to preserve this piece of history and revitalize the region’s cultural heritage. S.P. Sharma, a spokesperson for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), emphasized that the restoration would boost tourism and draw attention to the Lepcha community’s unique history.
The fort is expected to attract visitors, especially from the global Lepcha diaspora, and provide new economic opportunities. The WBHC’s decision is seen as a critical step in recognising and conserving Lepcha heritage, alongside other heritage sites in Kalimpong such as Chitra Bhanu and the Catherine Graham Memorial Chapel. The restoration process is anticipated to commence soon, marking a new chapter in preserving the legacy of the Lepcha people.
