The correct answer is: a) Its strategic location
Darjeeling is a hill station in West Bengal, India. It is located in the Himalayas, at an elevation of 2,205 meters (7,234 feet). The town was founded in the 1830s by the British East India Company, and it served as a summer retreat for British officials. Darjeeling is also a popular tourist destination, known for its tea plantations, its views of Mount Everest, and its colonial architecture.
Darjeeling’s strategic location made it an important point of interaction between the British and the Sikkimese. The town is located on the border between India and Sikkim, and it was a key trade route between the two countries. The British also built a military garrison in Darjeeling, which helped to secure their control over the region.
The other options are not correct because:
- Shared cultural ties: Darjeeling is located in India, while Sikkim is a separate country. There are no shared cultural ties between the two regions.
- Political agreements: The British and the Sikkimese did not have any political agreements that specifically related to Darjeeling.
- Economic interests: The British were interested in Darjeeling for its strategic location, not for its economic potential.