Shimla
About the city
Shimla is one of the moer bizaare leftovers of the British Raj. Before independence the whole Government of India, complet with files and red tape, used to come up here in April to escape the hear of Kolkata and Delhi. Hill stations like Shimla played an important social role during the Taj. Many British officials were stationed in remote areas and for eleven months of the year were cut off from agreeable company. Leave in Shimla was not only an escape from the grim realities of India, but also a chance to renew old friendship and angle for new postings. Indians still like it for a break from the heat; its attractions for Western travelers today are harder to define.The main street, The Mall, still resembles a small English town of the 1920 s. There are stockbroker Tudor houses, and the whole town is dominated by a Gothic- church and a mock Scottish castle. Shimla straggles over several hills and ridges, and climbing Jakhu Hill (2440 m) from the path beside the church you can get a good view of the whole place. There is little special to see apart from the State Museum (10 am- 1.30 pm and 2-5 pm, closed Monday), but you can easily spend a couple of days here. Women travelers like Shimla as it is so hassle- free. The main streets are closed to traffic, and a promenade os still the favourite pastime, though you can always amuse yourself with a gam3e of snooker or by browsing in the second had bookshops on The Mall. You could even ride a horse on the ridge with the Christ Church in the backyard. This Church, constructed in 1846, has fine stained- glass windows and an impressice organ.
The Viceregal Lodge on the Mall is the most imposing British built building in English Renaissance style. Today it houses the Indian institute of Advanced studies.
Explore Shimla on your own, walking along the meandering roads. The Meadow of Annadale 5 km from the Ridge and Chadwick Falls are heavenly. Kufri, about 16 km away, is famous for its winter sports while the Himalayan Nature Park is home to the musk deer, Black bear and the Monal pheasant.
One of India's most spectacular hills stations, Shimla is called the Queen of Hills. It is situated at 2,130 meters above sea level. In 1864, the Britishers made it the summer capital of India. In 1903, the Kalla- Shimla railway line was constructed paving way for easy access to the world. Shimla was formerly the capital of Punjab before it become the capital of Himachal Pardesh in 1966. Shimla is named after its local Goddess Shyamala (Godess Kali). Its green valleys, the beauty of its trees, pine, oak and deodar4, golf facility in the lap of nature at Naldehra and skiing at Kufri and Narkanda attract the tourists throughout the year.
At first glance, Simla seems a terraced town not unlike the tea estates of the East. However, its multiple levels sprout a colourful confusion of buildings and bazaars, conifers and quaint lodges. As crowds of predominantly Indian tourists continue to mill around the distinct British architecture like hopeful ghosts from its historic past, this quaint town will never quite live down its reputation as the summer capital of the Raj. After an elevator ride from the base to the second level and then an invigorating climb up to the Ridge, one is rewarded with the dazzling revelation of the nearby Himalayan peaks. Simla is unique in character, a hill station like no other. The bustling Mall overlooks green hills and among its melee of sights is the unique 'toy train', as the Simla-Kalka rail line is colloquially known. A town of melting snows and fruit ice cream, of historic architecture and lush nature, Hindu temples and British churches, boarding schools and bazaars, Simla is a wonderful assimilation of city and country, of past and present.
Ideally, Shimla should be explored on foot. For those who wish to enjoy luxury, taxis are available. In addition, mini buses and Himachal Tourism buses will take you to various places within the city.
In the days before independence, Shimla was the most important British hill station, and was the summer capital of British India. The British in 1819 A.D first discovered Shimla, but it was not until 1822 A.D that the first permanent house was erected and not until many years later that Shimla became the summer capital. The name Shimla is derived from the Himalayan Goddess Shamla a synonym of Kali.
Demography
Shimla has a population of arounde 142,161. Males constitute 57% of the population and females account to approximately 43%. Shimla has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 65.7%. The male literacy is about 86%, and the female literacy is around 82%.Orientation
The capital of Himachal Pradesh, Simla rests in the centre of the state, 104 km from Chandigarh and about 342 km from Delhi. At an altitude of 2130 metres, it stretches across a crescent shaped ridge with the colourful suburbs hanging on to its steep slopes. The Mall runs along the ridge and is lined with British architecture. It curves around the south slope of the hill, above the vibrant bazaar, the railway line and Cart Road, the upper limit for motor traffic.History
This was basically a small village tucked away in the Himalayas discovered by the British surveyors, and pronounced an ideal retreat for the homesick colonizers in 1817. Named after Shyamla Devi, an incarnation of the fierce Goddess, Kali, stories of Shimla's salubrious climate and invigorating surroundings made it grow in popularity. In 1830, the land around was bought from the local ruler, and Shimla turned into a resort for the British army officers.Shimla derives its name from the goddess Shyamla Devi, a manifestation of the goddess Kali. In the medieval era, the region around Simla and Sirmaur was divided into over 30 independently governed thakurais. Simla was discovered by the British in 1817, when a team of their surveyors chanced upon its scenic beauty. It soon drew crowds of British officers and their families seeking respite from the sultry weather of the plains. The British persuaded the local Raja to part with the land in 1830 and the town soon became the Raj's most fashionable summer resort. In 1864 Simla was officially declared as the summer capital of India. Several British landmarks, including the Christ Church, the Cecil Hotel and the Gaiety Theatre came up along the Ridge. The Mall and the promenade were frequented by Englishmen and women on vacation, recuperating soldiers and civil servants on a break. Some, like author Rudyard Kipling visited Simla for its exciting and scandalous social life. Until World War I, Indians were denied entry to the Mall area. In 1903, the Kalka-Simla rail line was constructed between Kalka and Simla. After Independence, Simla became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh.