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Morgan House, Kalimpong
British colonial mansion in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Morgan House Kalimpong or Morgan House is a mansion of British colonial architecture built by an English jute baron George Morgan in the 1930s on the hill station of Kalimpong, Kalimpong district, West Bengal. Today, the mansion is a hotel managed by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC). Earlier this property was also known as Singamari Tourist Lodge or Durpin Tourist Lodge.[1]
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Location
Morgan House is built on a sixteen-acre estate atop the mountain of Durpindara. It is situated three kilometers off the center of Kalimpong town and has a clear view of the Kangchenjunga mountain range.[2] The mansion and the estate is surrounded by the Kalimpong Cantonment area and overlooks the valleys of Relli, Kapher, Deolo and Labha[3] in various directions.
Morgan House is 75 km from Siliguri, 52 km from Darjeeling and 75 km from Gangtok by road. Nearest railway station is in New Jalpaiguri and nearest airport is in Pakyong.
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History
Morgan house is a British colonial mansion built in the early 1930s. The building was to commemorate the wedding of an indigo plantation owner with a jute baron George Morgan.[citation needed]
The property was used as a summer retreat and elaborate parties were hosted. It passed into the hands of trustees after the Morgans died without an heir.[2] It was further handed over to the government of India post Indian independence. During 1962, after then prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru was taken ill, plans were made to convert this house into a government rest house.
However, due to sudden demise of Jawahar Lal Nehru,[4][5] this plan was abandoned. In 1965 it was handed to tourism department and in 1975 it was finally handed over to West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation. Since then it is being managed as a boutique hotel and is open to tourists.
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Popular culture
Indian actors and celebrities such as Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar, Leena Chandavarkar, Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Uttam Kumar, Supriya and Om Prakash have stayed in this lodge and their testimonials can be seen framed in the lounge.[6] Actor Utpal Dutt was also a regular visitor.[1] American ambassador in India Chester Bowles stayed here.[2]
Gallery
The front of the lodge from the parking area
Stone chimneys
Interior wooden staircase
The approach road leading to Morgan House
Front corner of Morgan House clad with ivy
Close-up of rear glass windows of Morgan House
Morgan House at Night from rear lawn
Front view of Morgan House from the lawn
See also
References
Bibliography
External links
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