Land Rover Village: The village in India where Land Rovers run in taxis, where did so much wealth come from?

The story of Manebhanjyang’s Land Rover begins during the British rule. British tea plantation owners and administrators imported Land Rover vehicles to transport goods and people over the rough, muddy and rocky mountain roads of the eastern Himalayas. These vehicles were chosen because they were very strong and easy to repair.

Manebhanjyang is situated at a height near the India-Nepal border. It is the gateway to Sandakphu and Falut. These are the highest peaks of West Bengal. The roads here are narrow, unpaved and steep. These roads often get damaged due to landslides and heavy rains. Even today, modern vehicles can hardly pass through them, while old Land Rover vehicles can easily cross them.