Gangtok — Scholar and author Prem Poddar explored Kalimpong’s layered history, multicultural character and changing identity during a discussion at Rachna Books on September 30. In conversation with journalist Pema Wangchuk, Poddar presented his Cambridge University Press book, “Through the India-China Borders, Kalimpong in the Himalayas,” co-authored with Lisa Lindkvist Zhang. He argued that trade, migration, political borders and encounters among cultures shaped the Himalayan town.
Published in 2025, the book took 12 years to write, while its central idea had been forming in Poddar’s mind for nearly three decades. Wangchuk described the work as “accessible, witty, empathetic, engaging and entertaining.” Poddar said it was also a personal attempt to document the history of a smaller town often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. He believes similar works could help place Gangtok and other eastern Himalayan communities at the centre of regional history.
The discussion presented Kalimpong as a “border cosmopolis”—a place where people, languages and ideas from different societies meet. Poddar drew comparisons with Darjeeling and Gangtok and said Kalimpong’s location on historic trade routes gave it a particularly diverse character.
Recalling his childhood in 10th Mile, Poddar said he grew up surrounded by different languages and communities. The experience left a lasting impression on his thinking. Although he has lived away from Kalimpong for more than 30 years, he remains attached to the town: “There is a distance, but there is also a memorable association,” he said.
The book examines Kalimpong’s role in India-China relations, Chinese migration, the displacement and internment of Chinese people in India following the war, and the remaining traces of Chinese communities. Poddar also discussed colonial histories, passport politics and the ways borders shape nationality and identity, describing borders as “cartographies of mind” that are often provisional.
He also raised concerns about Kalimpong’s declining linguistic diversity. Although 119 mother tongues have been recorded in the region, far fewer are now part of everyday life. Poddar attributed this partly to historical change and rapid globalisation. “Most transit points are becoming almost homogeneous in both appearance and nature. Something similar can be found happening in Kalimpong right now too,” he said.
Rejecting the idea that Kalimpong should be defined only by its reputation as a “nest of spies” or by geopolitics, Poddar said the town’s broader social and international identity deserved greater attention. He noted that Zhang’s Chinese background brought a distinct perspective to the book, while the proposed title “China in India” was rejected by the publisher as potentially controversial.
During the question-and-answer session, Poddar explained why the final title refers to the “India-China border” rather than the “India-Tibet border.” He said the book was also a debt to his hometown: “I at least owe a debt to write a narrative.”
The event ended with Poddar advising aspiring writers to be patient with their ideas, read widely and build personal libraries to strengthen their critical thinking.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/poddar-explores-kalimpongs-layered-history-identity-at-gangtok-book-discussion
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