East India

The eastern states comprise West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, with the former dominating the area and being home to the capital city Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). It is an area of contrasts, with topography ranging from the precipitous uplands of the Himalayas to the verdant flood plains of the Ganges, where approximately 30 per cent of the nation’s rice crops are produced. Tea is another important commodity in the region, and the beautiful town of Darjeeling produces some of the best leaves in the world.