SHIMLA

ABOUT THE HISTORY OF SHIMLA

The beautiful capital of Himachal Pradesh does not fascinate people in the present days but this beautiful place captivated the heart of the native people as well. Named after the Goddess Shymala Devi, Shimla was before known as Shymala. The history starts while we go back to the early 18th century when the Army of British defeated Gurukhas of Nepal and captured this region. As earlier the majority of the region was occupied by a dense forest, the only mark of civilization could be seen from the Jakhoo Temple and some scattered houses. In the year 1806, the Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal captured the region of Himachal and as East India Company came to invade the region, in Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-1816, the British had acquired the region from the treaty of Sagauli and transferred the control of the region to the Maharaja of Patiala who had an alliance with the British in the war. Later the place was frequently visited by the English Political Agents. They started the construction of houses for their accommodation. The stories about the climate of Shimla was heard even in England and then plenty of British Officers who were allured by the stories of the place they have heard came down to Shimla and started staying in the town in the summer period of India. As the population here started increasing, the region was flourished with theaters, balls and other amusements in the town. Eventually the houses for the senior officers of British were built in the region as they started making regular trips to Shimla in the summers. It was a great hub then for the officers to socialize with their peers. With the follow theory, the ladies of the officers followed them and started spending some time here. They finally found eligible spouses for their unmarried siblings and relatives. As the demand of the goods and services increased, the Indian Business Men followed to cater the demand and the new boarding schools for the upper class students were built here. As the birth to the new Hill Station was celebrated, British then officially acquired this land from the Maharaja of Patiala and Keonthal.

In the year 1863, the Viceroy of India, John Lawrence transferred the summer capital of British India to Shimla because of the heat during the summer period of India. As a result, the capital of British India was shifted twice in a year from Calcutta to Shimla and vice versa. Later the hill station was planned by the Lord Lytton in 1876. With the establishment of plenty of administrative offices and other buildings that includes the Town Hall, Library, Theatres and numerous of them. The biggest popularity take was when in 1906; the government built the Kalka Shimla Railway which was known as the British Jewel of Orient. Later as India got its Independence, Shimla remained the capital of Punjab till Chandigarh was established as a new city and it was announced as the new capital of Punjab. Later with the collaboration of various small districts, the State of Himachal Pradesh was acknowledged on 15th April 1948. As Himachal Pradesh was regarded as the Union Territory of India in 1956, Shimla was announced as the capital of Himachal Pradesh.