The correct answer is: a) Ceded to British India.
Darjeeling was ceded to British India in 1835 by the Chogyal of Sikkim, Tshudup Namgyal. The British had been interested in Darjeeling for its strategic location and its potential as a tea-growing region. The Chogyal was under pressure from the British to cede Darjeeling, and he eventually agreed to do so in exchange for a large sum of money and a guarantee of his own position as ruler of Sikkim.
The British took control of Darjeeling and began to develop it as a hill station. They built roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, and they encouraged the growth of the tea industry. Darjeeling became a popular destination for British tourists, and it remains a popular tourist destination today.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
- Option b) is incorrect because Darjeeling was not leased to British India. It was ceded to British India.
- Option c) is incorrect because Darjeeling was not conquered from Bhutan. It was ceded to British India by the Chogyal of Sikkim.
- Option d) is incorrect because Darjeeling was not received as a gift from Nepal. It was ceded to British India by the Chogyal of Sikkim.