SHIMLA
The meaning of SHIMLA is blue female another name for well known Goddess Kali.
Shimla is the capital town of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It was formerly the summer capital of the government of India.
After independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab and was later made the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
HISTORY OF SHIMLA
Shimla District lies between the longitude 77o-0″ and 78o-19″ east and latitude 30o-45″ and 31o-44″ north. It is bounded by Mandi and Kullu in the north, Kinnaur in the east, the state of Uttaranchal in the south, Sirmaur, district in the west. The elevation of the district ranges from 300 to 6000 metres. The topology of the district is rugged and tough. Shimla district derives its name from Shimla town which was once a small village. Shimla district in its present form came into existence from 1st Sept,1972 on the reorganisation of the districts of the state.
Treaty of Sanjauli
The maharaja of Patiala who has also rendered invaluable services to the British was rewarded with land in the neighbourhood of the area now comprising Shimla. After the defeat of Gurkhas they were forced to sign the ‘Treaty of Sanjauli’. The company retained the strategic forts of Sabathu, Kotgarh, Ramgarh and Sandoch.
Present day Shimla District comprises of 19 erstwhile hill states mainly Balson, Bushahr, Bhaji and Koti, Darkoti, Tharoch & Dhadi,Kumharsain, Khaneti & Delath, Dhami, Jubbal , Keothal, Rawingarh, Ratesh, Sangri.
According to C.F.Kennedy , Bushar was founded by Danbar Singh an immigrant Rajput from Deccan in 1412 A.D. In 1914 Britishers recognised Padam Singh as legitimate heir and was crowned Raja of Rampur Bushahr. Ultimately in March, 1948 Rampur Bushahr became part and parcel of province of Himachal Pradesh.
Jubbal one of the Shimla Hill States with an area of 288 Sq miles was originally tributary to Sirmaur, but after Gurkha war, it became independent. Raja Karam Chand was the founder of the Jubbal State. Jubbal merged with the Indian Union after independence and became a part of Himachal Pradesh on 15th April, 1948. at the time of merger ‘Dig Vijay Singh was the ruler of the state.
Shimla District
Shimla District in its present form came into existence from 1st September 1972 on the reorganisation of the districts of the state. After the reorganisation, the erstwhile Mahasu district lost its entity and its major portion was merged with Shimla. Shimla district derives its name from Shimla town, the district headquarters and now state capital of Himachal Pradesh The Shimla District comprises of 9 Sub-Divisions, 13 -Tehsils, 12 Sub Tehsils and 10 Blocks
Shimla Town
Shimla is the Capital Town of Himachal Pradesh. It was formerly the summer capital during the British Rule. The town of Shimla is built over several hills and connecting ridges. The important hills are Jakhu(8050 ft), Prospect Hill (7140 ft), Observatory Hill ( 7050 ft), Elysium Hill (7400 ft), and Summer Hill (6900 ft). There is a great controversy over the origin of the name Shimla. The name Shimla was derived from ‘Shyamalaya’ meaning blue house said to be the name of house built of blue slate by a faqir on Jakhu.
Simla
According to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) functionary Aman Puri, the popular holiday retreat was originally called 'Shyamala' meaning a blue female another name for Goddess Kali but as the Britishers found it tough to pronounce, they renamed it Simla which later became Shimla.Oct 21.
During the British period the image of the Goddess was shifted to a new place ,now famous Kali Bari Temple. Shimla remained unnoticed during the Gurkha War. It was only in 1819 A.D. that the then Assistant Political Agent of hill states Lt. Ross set up first British residence, a mere wood cottage. His successor Lt. Charles Patt Kennedy’ errected the first pucca house in 1822 named after Lt. Kennedy as ‘Kennedy House’.
The construction of Hindustan Tibet road was started in 1850-51 commencing from Kalka and first lap was upto Shimla. The Road upto Shimla came to be used for wheeled traffic by 1860. A 560 feet long tunnel was constructed beyond Sanjauli.
Summer Capital
In 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla.
Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very different from other hill stations. Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains its colonial heritage, with grand old buildings, among them are the stately Viceregal Lodge, Charming iron lamp posts and Anglo-Saxon names. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the centre of attraction of the town, and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of Patiala’s escapades, offers a view of distant snow clad peaks. In 1946 leaders of the Indian nationalist movement came to Shimla for a crucial conference that paved the way to Independence.
Geographic conditions
The state of Himachal Pradesh came into being in 1948 as a result of integration of 28 princely state. Even after independence, the city remained an important political centre, hosting the Simla agreement of 1972. After reorganisation of state of Himachal Pradesh, the existing Mahasu district was named Shimla.
Shimla is home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tuborbetan and neoGothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches. The colonial architecture and churches, the temples and the natural environment of the city attracts tourists. Attractions includes the ridge, jhaku temple, IIAS shimla and Annadale which together form the city centre. Owing to its steep terrain, Shimla hosts the mountain biking race MTB HIMALAYAS , which started in 2005 and is regarded as the biggest event of its kind in South Asia. Shimla also has its own natural ice sketinh rinh in South Asia. Apart from being a tourism centre, the city is also an educational hub with a number of colleges and research institutions.
SHIMLA WEATHER / TEMPERATURE
The climate of Shimla is most beautiful and delightful, representing something like Eropean climate conditions in India and providing a wonderful opportunity to the visitors to enjoy its scenic beauty all around the year. The mean annual rainfall of shimla is 76 - 80 inches.
Shimla is a beautiful district, in winter beautiful snow falling and all its hills ( Jakhu hill, Prospect hill, observatory hill, Elysigim hill and summer hill ) attracted to visitors.
Kalka Shimla Railway
The completion of the Kalka-Shimla narrow-gauge railway line, in 1903, built by Herbert Septimus Harington (20 April 1855 – 11 November 1913) gave a fillip to the towns development. After Independence, Shimla was initially the capital of Punjab. Following the creation of Himachal Pradesh, in 1966, it was designated the capital of the Himachal Pradesh. The Kalka–Shimla railway is a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow-gauge railway in North India which traverses mostly-mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It is known for dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. The railway was built under the direction of Herbert Septimus Harington between 1898 and 1903 to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the rest of the Indian rail system.
On 8 July 2008, UNESCO added the Kalka–Shimla railway to the mountain railways of India World Heritage Site.
https://youtu.be/AQSKetfEzEQSHIMLA VISIT PLACES
THE RIDGE
The most attractive place in Shimla is the ridge. it is one of the most visited places in Shimla. It is connected with mall road. It looks beautiful at night.
https://www.nvstation.com/2020/02/the-ridge-shimla.html
https://www.nvstation.com/2020/02/the-ridge-shimla.html
CHRIST CHURCH
It is the second oldest church in north india, after St. john's Church in Meerut. It is situated at the Ridge. It has a large number of books and scriptures.
JAKHOO TEMPLE
Jakhoo temple is dedicated for Hindu God Shri Hanuman ji. It is situated at Jakhoo hill. It is situated about 20 minutes walking distance from the Ridge. Timber trail facility is also provided.
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