Till 1865, The present day Kalimpong was under the administration of the Bhutanese official for more than 150 years. The end of Anglo-Bhutan War changed the face of Kalimpong that rose beyong measures.

The lovely hill town gives credit to the Bhutan revenue officials for its charming name. If words are to be belived then it is said that the revenue officials used to visit Rinkingpong  (the side of Kalimpong Cantonment  since 1962) for collecting grain and other things from the Lepcha villagers residing there. Sometimes the local tribesmen used to amuse themselves by indulging in field sports on the level ground.

Thus, the place was named Kalimpong, in Lepcha, meaning " Ridge Where We Play". There is another story behind its name. Some say that the name actually came from 'Kaleon', the official name of  Bhutan  Raja and "Pong" means area or stronghold. One thing which can be said about the hill town is that just like the thick volume of mist covering Kalimpong , its name is shrouded in mystery.

Important year and dates in the history of Kalimpong

1865 - Kalimpong was divided into a sub-division named Dalimkotas per the Sinchula Treaty with Bhutan
1866 - It got included into Sardar Sub-Division of Darjeeling District      
1916 - The area once got converted into a sub-division and Kalimpong became its headquarters
1959 - Chinese invasion on Tibet forced the Buddhist monks  to flee to Kalimpong
1960 - Establishment of monasteries resulted in spiritual prosperity
1962 - Sino-Indian war resulted in the closure of the Jelepla Pass, complete halt of trading between Tibet and India.