Algarah is located at It is located at a distance of 15 km east of Kalimpong town. It lies at an elevation of 1,780 m and has a population of about 3,000.
Area overview
The map alongside shows the Kalimpong Sadar subdivision of Kalimpong district. Physiographically, this area forms the Kalimpong Range, with the average elevation varying from. This region is characterized by abruptly rising hills and numerous small streams. It is a predominantly rural area with 77.67% of the population living in rural areas and only 22.23% living in the urban areas. While Kalimpong is the only municipality, Dungra is the sole census town in the entire area. The economy is agro-based and there are 6 tea gardens in the Gorubathan CD block. In 2011, Kalimpong subdivision had a literacy rate of 81.85%, comparable with the highest levels of literacy in the districts of the state. While the first degree college in the subdivision was established at Kalimpong in 1962the entire subdivision, other than the head-quarters, had to wait till as late as 2015 to have their first degree colleges at Pedong and Gorubathan. Note: The map alongside presents some of the notable locations in the subdivision. All places marked in the map are linked in the larger full screen map.
Demographics
According to the 2011 Census of India, Algarah Bazer DIF had a total population of 1,957 of which 982 were males and 975 were females. There were 182 persons in the age range of 0 to 6 years. The total number of literate people in Algarah Bazer DIF was 1,449.
Civic administration
CD block HQ
Headquarters of Kalimpong II CD block is at Algarah Bazar.
History
Algarah is famous for the remains of the ancient Damsang Gadi. It is said that the Lepcha king Gyabo Achuk built this fort in 1690 with the help of spirits who brought big round smooth stones from the Reshi river. And the remnants of the fort still do exist. There have been many stories passed from generation to generation about King Gaybo Achuk. It was believed that he used to possess some kind of supernatural powers. There are stories about some hidden treasures guarded by some kind of supernatural forces and also tunnels build by Gyabo Achuk. The fort was initially built to fight the Drukpas of Bhutan. There are many myths about Drukpas fearing to visit the place as it was believed that King Gaybo Achuk was killed by the Drukpa king by forgery. It is said that King Gyabo Achuk used to practice some ancient magic, wherein if his body was cut into two pieces, they would automatically rejoin. So the Drukpa king came up with a plan and lured him into it. The Drukpa king chopped off his head from his body and applied ashes on his half-cut neck so it could not be rejoined, finally resulting in the death of the Lepcha king. It is believed that any Drukpa visiting that place will be struck to death due to some supernatural force. The fort was later used to ward off the forces of the British East India Company. The fort fell into ruin after the 1864 Anglo-Bhutan War. Every year on 20 December, Lepchas from all the adjoining regions come to Damsang Fort to celebrate the birthday of King Gyabo Achuk and to attend some auspicious rituals that is followed from generation to generation by the Lepcha tribes.
