The Shimla Himachal Pradesh, Brief Of the Past

The Shimla Himachal 

Pradesh Brief Of the 

Past  :-

Shimla district share its boundaries with district Mandi and Kullu in the North , Kinnaur in the East , State of Uttarakhand in the South and Sirmour in the West .

The elevation of Shimla district varies from 300 metres to 6000 metres from mean sea level, it's topology is rugged and tough in winter many parts of the Shimla district experience heavy snowfall .

Shimla as a district came into existence in 1972 during reorganization of districts.

In 1815 after the defeat of Gurkhas , they were forced to execute " Treaty of Sanjiuli" in which British retained the strategic forts of Kotgarh , Ramgarh ,Sandoch and Sabathu fort.

Gurkhas Fort Sabathu Himachal Pradesh 

District Shimla comprises of erstwhile 19 hill states namely:- Balson , Bushahr , Bhaji , Koti , Darkoti , Tharoch , Dhadi, Kumarsain , Khaneti , Delath , Dhami , Jubbal , Keonthal Rawingarh , Ratesh and Sungri. Bushahr was one of  the oldest state after Kashmir in western Himalayas.

According to a legend the Bushahr dynasty was founded by Praduman the son of Lord krishna. Praduman  killed the Banasur in an encounter  who was the king of Sonitpur now called Sarahan and married the daughter of Banasur and Praduman became king of Sonitpur.

The total area of Shimla district is 5131 square kilometres and district has  tehsils  to facilitate administration namely Shimla urban, Theog , Shimla Rural , Rampur ,Rohru ,Chrgaon , Kumarsain ,Kotkhai , Jubbal , Nerua , Seoni ,Chaupal ,Nankhari , Cheta , Tikar , Junga and Dodra Kwar .

The Shimla Himachal Pradesh, Brief Of the Past.

 The Shimla Himachal 

Pradesh, Brief Of the 

Past :- 

The Railway Track Covered with Snow a View 

In 1804 the Gurkhas , The period known as Anglo -Gorkha war, the Gurkhas suffered a severe defeat at the hands of Sikhs in the battle of Kangra Fort . They lost thousands of men and many more with diseases and commenced to ravage the states and hills surrounding Shimla .Gurkhas built many forts around Shimla .

Jutogh Cantonment area Shimla 

One of these strongholds forts was Jagatgarh which now a days is called Jutogh beyond Shimla  now military cantonment ,so Jagatgarh was the origin of modern Jutogh .

The Gurkhas by 1808

 conquered all the Fortified post between Sutlej and

 Jamuna valleys and started

 their ruthless rule with Arki as Capital on all the hill states at length until the people in their wretchedness requested British for help .

Action of British on Ruthless rule of Gurkhas :-  

On the request of people Major General Sir David Ochterlony was assigned the task with a small force to liberate the hill men from Gurkhas .

A call was given to the hill states chiefs to join the British forces against Gurkhas. Majority of the hill chiefs joined the operation and rivals were engaged in toughest battle which was fought at an  elevation of 3750 feet at Ramgarh fort in Nalagarh.  Decisive battle was fought at Malon fort .

The British superior guns  over powered the  enemy ended the dream of Gurkhas to rule over this part of land the battle ended on 15 may 1815 .

A decisive battle in which British superior guns Overpowered Gurkhas 

After few days and official declaration was made according to which all hill chiefs who had joined British forces in expelling Gurkhas were restored their land under British protection .

Maharaja Patiala who had rendered remarkable services to the British was also awarded the land in the neighborhood which  now comprising Shimla .

The Shimla , Himachal Pradesh . Brief of The Past

 The Shimla Brief of The Past :- 

Indian Institute of advance studies Chaura Madan Shimla 

LordCombermere in 1828 describes about Shimla , " The political agent had been established a summer residence at Shimla ,, a name given to two or three shepherds huts situated 24 miles north east of Subbathu beyond the British dominions and in the territory of native Ranee or fudal baroness, for the ruler of asmall uncultivated clusters of mountains can scarcely be dignified with the title of queen .

Christ Church Ridge to US Club Shimla Himachal Pradesh 

The climate of Shimla soon became famous : invalids from the plains resorted there and built houses,instead of breaking up of establishments and sailing for the Cape of Good Hope with little hope of reching it and finally Shimla was rendered fashionable br the goveror -general, Lord Amherst , who resided at Shimla with his family for several months and brought back to Calcutta rosy complexions and some beautiful drawings by Lady Sarah Amherst to attest the healthful and picturesque properties of the spot.

Panoramic view Shimla 

The lands  comprising the pergannah and the present Shimla belonged originally of Maharaja Ptiala and the Rana of Keonthal. As early as 1824 Eurojjean gentlemen , chiefly invalids from the plains , had with the due permission of these chiefs established themselves in this area , building houses on the sites granted them tent free ., and with no other stipulation than that they should refrain from the slaughter of kine and the felling of trees , unless with the previous permission of the proprietors of the land . The station became as sanitatium and in 1830 the government directed that negotiations should be entered into with the chiefs of Patial and Keonthal for the land deemed sufficient to form a station .

Ancient Building at Shimla 

Major Kennedy the then political agent  negotiated an exchange with the Rana of Keonthal for his portion of the land in the Shimla hills comprising thirteen villages and yielding a estimated revenue  of Rs. 987, making over to the Rana the pergnnah of Rajeen , yielding an annual revenue of Rs. 1289 which had been retained on the first conquest of these hills, as its position was considered to afford a good military position . A portion of of the retained pergnnah of  Bharaulie comprising of seven villages was at the same time made over to the Maharaja Patiala in exchange for his portion of Shimla yielding a revenue of Rs. 245 per annum. This ia as per settlement report of Shimla district by Col. E.G. Wace 1881-3

The Shimla , Himachal Pradesh ,The Brief Of Past.

 The Shimla Brief of Past :- 

View of Shimla under snow 

In 1829 the development of Simla started by Lord Combermere and built a bridge to the eastern end of the Shimla now near the Lift.

The bridge was the first step towards improvement of Shimla town .

The Ridge Shimla 

The water channel over which this Combermere bridge was constructed provided water to the village. Lord Combermere also constructed a water tank under this bridge.

Now the water channel is full of filth thrown by the hotels and no one knows about the water tank .

Railway station Shimla View 

" The resort of the rich , the idle and the invalid " these are the words of a French traveler Victor Jacquemonth .

After Captain Kennedy was followed by some of his close friends and to all of them the climate looked suitable. The hired some local people and cut hundreds of trees to make space for construction of houses .

Snowy Mountains view from 

Shimla 

Snow at Shimla 

The present station of Shimla was originally belonged to Maharaja Patiala and Rana of Keonthal .

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