History of Shimla

History of Shimla Reflects the Colonial Charm and Prodigious Environment

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The history of Shimla reveals that it was the summer hideaway of the British Raj. The Shimla history greets you with its God gifted beauty and flawless surroundings. There is no better retreat than Shimla if you wish to escape from the annoying summers in the rest of India. When you go through the details about Shimla, it shows that to stay away from the pollution and dirt of the cities, each year several people visit Shimla for seeking the divine bliss. Shimla is loved and admired by the honeymooners, foreign tourists, and families for its amazing atmosphere and old colonial heritage and charm. The Shimla history and majestic culture pompously exhibit its dazzling past through vivid facts about Shimla and its over-the-hill structures. It would not be an overstatement that the history of Shimla appears to be the mortar of each stone and brick laid in the city. To understand the best history of Shimla, it is essential to be aware of the impressive and minute details of Shimla.

The Shimla history derives the word Shimla from the name Shyamala which means a blue house. While going through the details about Shimla, it is learned that the British soldiers came across a dense forest post the Gurkha war which was close to the Goddess Shyamala temple. Shyamala Devi is considered to be the incarnation of Goddess Kali who resided in the blue house made by a Fakir. According to the details of Shimla, it is also said that earlier this temple was located at the top of the Jhaku hill, which was shifted to aother place by the British people. Now, it is popularly known as the Kali Bari Temple and it is also counted as one of the best history of Shimla.

The Shimla history remains incomplete if not spoken about the Anglo-Gurkha War that represents the struggle of the Gurkhas during the 19th century. The facts about Shimla reveal that at a distance of 60 miles from the now Shimla, the battle of Kangra took place in a hilly citadel. In this battle, the Gurkhas were agonized cruelly by the Sikhs and several Gurkhas died. The details about Shimla also states that the deadly war led to a chronic infection at that time and many Gurkhas also lost their life due to prolonged sickness. By the year 1808, the Gurkha intruders forcefully tried to establish their authority capturing the Shimla forts starting from Jamuna to Sutlej and torturing the people of that region. Unable to tolerate the mistreatment, the people of this region approached for help from the British. With the help of Maharaja of Patiala, the British gunned down the enemies and Gurkhas long last dream of capturing the entire land came to an end. It is evident from the facts about Shimla that a Treaty of Sanjauli was signed and the land came under the supremacy of Maharaja of Patiala.

The Shimla history is majestic and there are number stories attached to this land. The history of Shimla would have never been so green and royal had the British not saved the land from the Gurkhas. The battle came to an end but the interest of the British on this land kept on growing. Finally in the year 1819 Lt. Ross, an Englishman erected the first British wooden dwelling in Shimla followed by Charles Patt Captain Kennedy who built a pucca two storied house in the year 1822. The Kennedy House, as it is popularly known in the Shimla History, can be checked even today while going through the details of Shimla or by visiting Shimla.

Indeed, the glorious Shimla history was saved by the British soldiers, which led to the growth and development of this beautiful place. The dense forests were turned into a paradise on earth where people love to return again and again. The Hindustan-Tibet Road was built in the course of the year 1850 and 1851 starting from Shimla and ending at Kalka. In the Shimla history year 1864, this heavenly place was also affirmed as the summer capital of India. The best history of Shimla includes the establishment of the train line in the year 1903. It traveled between Shimla and Kalka, which made the journey to this undulating range easy and comfortable. The history of Shimla proudly boasts the colonial style of architecture that exists still now such as the Christ Church, Gaiety Theatre, and Cecil Hotel.