116 DORJILING. Chap. IV. 



from the country by the Ghorkas, in 1817, replaced him 

 on his throne, and guaranteed him the sovereignty. Our 

 main object in doing this was to retain Sikkim as a 

 fender between Nepal and Bhotan : and but for this policy, 

 the aggressive Nepalese would, long ere this, have 

 possessed themselves of Sikkim, Bhotan, and the whole 

 Himalaya, eastwards to the borders of Burmah.* 



From 1817 to 1828 no notice was taken of Sikkim, 

 till a frontier dispute occurred between the Lepchas and 

 Nepalese, which was referred (according to the terms of the 

 treaty) to the British Government. During the arrange- 

 ment of this, Dorjiling was visited by a gentleman of 

 high scientific attainments, Mr. J. W. Grant, who pointed 

 out its eligibility as a site for a Sanatarium to Lord 

 William Bentinck, then Governor- General ; dwelling espe- 

 cially upon its climate, proximity to Calcutta, and 

 accessibility ; on its central position between Tibet, 

 Bhotan, Nepal, and British India; and on the good 

 example a peaceably-conducted and well -governed station 

 would be to our turbulent neighbours in that quarter. 

 The suggestion was cordially received, and Major 

 Herbert (the late eminent Surveyor- General of India) 

 and Mr. Grant were employed to report further on the 

 subject. 



The next step taken was that of requesting the Rajah to 

 cede a tract of country which should include Dorjiling, for 

 an equivalent in money or land. His first demand was 

 unreasonable ; but on further consideration he surren- 

 dered Dorjiling unconditionally, and a sum of 300/. per 



* Of such being their wish the Nepalese have never made any secret, and they 

 are said to have asked permission from the British to march an army across 

 Sikkim for the purpose of conquering Bhotan, offering to become more peace- 

 able neighbours to us than the Bhotanese are. Such they would doubtless have 

 proved, but the Nepal frontier is considered broad enough already. 



