The Shimla Himachal Pradesh , Brief history.

 The Shimla Himachal , Brief Of Past :-

Kennedy Cottage Shimla 

Captain Mundy  stayed at Shimla till 1828 and left Shimla on 20 October 1828  wrote about this beautiful place ,"  I can not doubt but that Shimla will rise in importance every year as it becomes better known. Its delightful climate is sure to recommend for its invalids; and it's beautiful scenery , healthful temperature and above all the relaxation which they will there enjoy will induce the governors general and commanders  in chief to resort there in the hot months in  their official tours through the uper provinces ."

Jakhoo Hanuman's Idol 

Captain Mundy assessed the importance of this place during 1828 . Though Captain Mundy never returned to Shimla after he left on 20 October 1828 yet his thoughts were true  later Shimla became summer capital of India now the capital of Himachal Pradesh .This is the history of developing of Shimla. 

" Abode of Snow" a book written by Mr. A Wilson  says that the station was first noticed by Three Gerard Brothers who were on the survey of Satluj Valley.

According to the diary of Three Gerard Brothers dated 30 August 1817 ," Simla , middling sizes village where a fakir is situated to give water to travellers. We encamped on the side of Jakko and had a very extensive and beautiful prospect .

Jakhoo Experiencing snow 

I have gone through the writings of Mr. Sumit Raj of Delhi University who has written a lot on Shimla I am very thankful for Mr Sumit Raj for exploring the past of this beautiful place.

Shimla Himachal Pradesh Brief history.

 District Shimla History:-

In the previous post we have seen  that the place was famous for Shyamla Devi Temple . According to Mr.W.H Carey in his Simla guide in 1870 that " the Shimla derives its name from a house called  " Shyamelay " built by a fakir - a sage in the slopes of Jakhu hills. The local people pronounced it probably Shimlah .

Beautiful Photograph of Jakhoo Temple Shimla.

View of Rope Way to Jakhoo 

The rope way has been installed for the visitors to visit Jakhoo temple.

The village Shimlah was originally situated where the present lower Bazar is situated .It was between Combermere bridge and ARTRACK building .

After the Anglo -Gorkha was over an British officer who was mooving a troupe of Gorkha to Kotgarh stopped here and liked this place as it was cool and experienced the climate of this place like Scotland .

View of Shimla Jakhoo experiencing snow.

Captain J Luard made the first picture of Shimla at spot in 1825 which later in 1833 published in London  in his book as " Views of India from Calcutta to Himalayas."

The preface of book one can read " all who have visited this charming spot have experienced Major Kennedy 's kindness and hospitality." Captain Ross made a small Thatched roof cottage in 1819 but Captain Kennedy who commended from Subathu made a first permanent house in Shimla .

This way the Shimla started its journey of development  which  the next posts will bring the history of Shimla .

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , "district Shimla "

 An Overview of Himachal pradesh ," district Shimla History and Tourists Places."

The Ridge Shimla 

Shimla in olden days  till 19 th century was popular for the temple of "Goddess Shyamala Devi " 

So Goddess Shyamala Devi given name to this beautiful hill Shimla.

After Gorkha war in the year 1819 the Shimla was founded by the British.

The first Summer home was made by the Scottish Civil servant " Charles Pratt Kennedy in 1822 . "

View of Shimla Town 

In 1864 Shimla was declared as the Summer Capital of India. After Independence Shimla was made the capital of Punjab later it became Capital of Himachal Pradesh.

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh, Tourist Places in district Lahaul Spiti.

 An Overview of

Himachal Pradesh, 

Tourist Places in

district Lahaul Spiti :-

Lady of Keylong  :-

View of Lady of Keylong 

An image of a woman on a mountain which is clearly seen even the mountain is fully covered with snow is a tourist attractions from Keylong .

This beautiful image on the mountain is called ," Lady of Keylong." It a glacier .

View of Lady of Keylong 

It was named by the Germans in 1856.A Christian religion promotor Lady named Alisha discovered and named this glacier peak as , " Lady of Keylong"  ,she has written about Lady of Keylong in her book . The survey is India has also recorded this glacier peak as Lady of Keylong in their work .

This glacier peak is about 6000 metres above mean sea level .

The tourists from India and abroad also enjoy the scenic beauty and Lady of Keylong peak .

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , Tourist Places in district Lahaul Spiti

 An Overview of

 Himachal Pradesh , Tourist places in Lahaul & Spiti 

Keylong :-

The next tourist Place in district Lahaul Spiti is Keylong . Keylong is the district headquarters of district Lahaul Spiti .

View of Keylong 

It is situated at an altitude of 3156 metres above mean sea level  on the Trade route  between Rohtang and Baralacha passed above Bhaga river.

The government offices are located in Keylong ,  during winter Keylong also experiences snow fall like other areas of the district . At past Keylong was home to Moravian Missionaries .

The places to visit in Keylong are :- 

1. Shashur Monestry :--

It a Buddhist Monastery about 2Km from Keylong on Manali  Leh Highway . It is nice and beautiful place to visit .

View of Shashur Monestry  ( Palace of Blue Pines )

2. Lahaul Spiti Tribal Museum  :- 

It a unique place where you can exibhit traditional items used by the people of Lahaul Spiti in olden times . It is located in Keylong market .

3. Deepak Tal :- 

Beautiful View of Deepak Tal

Deepak Tal is a beautiful Lake surrounded by snow covered mountains . Very clear water flows in this Lake . It is at a distance of about 43;Km on Manali Leh Highway from Keylong .

Deepak Tal 

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , Tourist Places in district Lahaul Spiti.

 An Overview of

 Himachal Pradesh , 

Tourist Places in 

 district Lahaul Spiti :-

Beautiful View of Highway to Ladakh 

Village Gushal :-

We can see one another village above the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers , this village is Gushal . This village also a very beautiful as it is viewed from Tupchiling Or Kargha .

The village falls under Tehsil Lahaul and it is about 9 Km from district headquarters Keylong.

The economy of village Gushal is based on agriculture . The main crops which are grown here are Pea , Potato and Cowliflower . Apple orchards you can see here . As the peak are always snow covered so irrigation facilities are available for agriculture . All most from this village there government employees from every family .

So Village is prosperious village from economy point of view .

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , Tourist Places in district Lahaul Spiti :-

Tandi Village : - 

Village Tandi in  Lahaul 

Tandi is an another village situated above the confluence of rivers Chandra and The village is about 9 Kms from Keylong .

As per revenue records village Tandi was founded by Raja Rana Chand Ram with name Chandi with later became Tandi .

Chandra & Bhaga   Confluence Tandi 

Tandi has sacred importance for the people of Lahaul like Haridwar for Hindus . 

The Tandi is a beautiful picturesque surrounding and is tourists please in Lahaul valley .

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , Tourist Places in district Lahaul Spiti

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh

Tourist places in Lahaul Spiti :- 

Gondhla Village :- 

View of Gondhla Castle 

The Gondhla Village is situated at an altitude of 3160 metres above mean sea level along the river Chandra on right bank .

Gondhla is about 18 Kms from district headquarters Keylong . 

The village  is on the level terrain and from Sissu to Gondhla the land is fertile and worth for cultivation . During Winter the area remains under snow .

View of Keylong , Himachal Pradesh 

The House of Thakur s is called the Gondhla Castle  . Gondhla Castle is an attraction to the tourists . This fort was built by Raja Man Singh of Kullu in 1700 AD .

An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , Tourists Places in district Lahaul Spiti

 An Overview of Himachal Pradesh , Tourist Places in district Lahaul Spiti :-

Beautiful View Sissu , Lahaul valley 

Sissu Village in Lahaul valley :-

The village Sissu is located on the right bank of river Chandra at an altitude of 3130 metres above mean sea level . It is situated on a big flat ground above river Chandra .

The village Sissu is about 40 km from Manali.

The Populars and willows tree on both sides of road can be seen .

The traces of fields are green with crops of potatoes , barley ,peas and buck wheat .

Alpine flowers of various colours are good looking for eyes .

The famous peak Geyphang is situated behind the ridge on which the village Sissu is located . Lord Geyphang is the presiding deity of Lahaul valley . The temple of Geyphang is also there in the village . During winters the area is capped with snow .