Divided Landscapes: An Autoethnographic Exploration of Hill-Valley Divide in Darjeeling District, India.

^{This paper examines the socio-political divide between the hill and valley regions of Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India, where distinct ethnic and linguistic communities coexist. The hills are primarily inhabited by Nepali-speaking groups, while the valleys are dominated by Bengali speakers. The study argues that the hill-plain divide is not a natural phenomenon, but rather a construct rooted in colonial policies designed to administratively and culturally separate these regions. During British rule, the hills were romanticized as a “mini-England,” pristine and distinct from the chaotic valleys or the mainland India. Over time, this artificial division was internalized by local communities, influencing post-independence political discourses on ethnic identity and resource distribution.}

^{The research critiques dominant Western epistemologies that frame hills and valleys as inherently opposing entities. It challenges both the concept of "verticality," which explores how altitude influences social structures, and valley-centric perspectives that position valleys as centers of progress. The study argues that verticality should be understood as a mental disposition rather than just a way of life, emphasizing how colonial interventions transformed minor differences into deep societal divides. This critique highlights how these frameworks marginalize highland identities and autonomy, reinforcing the need for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of these dynamics.}

^{By employing an autoethnographic approach, the study intertwines personal narratives with fieldwork conducted in Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Siliguri, offering an insider perspective often missing in existing literature. This methodology provides a deeper understanding of how the hill-valley divide shapes individual and communal identities, challenging the rigid binaries established by colonial discourse. The research addresses a critical gap in Darjeeling studies, advocating for the inclusion of indigenous perspectives and a more empathetic analysis of the complex relationship between hilly and valley regions, ultimately contributing to broader mountain studies}