67-552: Kurangani is a hill station atop the Western Ghats accessed from Bodinayakkanur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu . Kurangani literally means " The place which wears monkeys as its jewels" in Tamil. It has estates that grow coconut , mangoes , all spices , and coffee . Trekking in the hills also substantially contributes to the economy of Kurangani. The forest resource of this region
134-605: A debilitating land". The hill stations were meant to reproduce the home country, illustrated in Lord Lytton 's statement about Ootacamund in the 1870s as having "such beautiful English rain, such delicious English mud." Shimla was officially made the "summer capital of India" in the 1860s and hill stations "served as vital centres of political and military power, especially after the 1857 revolt." As noted by Indian historian Vinay Lal , hill stations in India also served "as spaces for
201-425: A hill station famous for balls, parties, and other festivities. Subsequently, residential schools for pupils from upper-class families were established nearby. By the late 1830s, the city also became a centre for theatre and art exhibitions. As the population increased, several bungalows were built and a big bazaar was established in the town. The Indian businessmen, mainly from Sood and Parsi communities, arrived in
268-697: A landscape type tied to nineteenth-century discourses of imperialism and climate. Both discourses serve as evidence of a belief in racial difference and, thereby, the imperial hill station reflected and reinforced a framework of meaning that influenced European views of the non-western world in general." The historian of Himalayan cultures Shekhar Pathak speaking about the development of Hill Stations like Mussoorie noted that "the needs of this (European) elite created colonies in Dehradun of Indians to cater to them." This "exclusive, clean, and secure social space – known as an enclave – for white Europeans ... evolved to become
335-624: A panic among the European residents of the town, but Shimla remained largely unaffected by the rebellion. In 1863, the Viceroy of India , John Lawrence , decided to shift the summer capital of the British Raj to Shimla. He took the trouble of moving the administration twice a year between Calcutta and this separate centre over 1,000 miles away, even though it was difficult to reach. Robert Bulwer-Lytton ( Viceroy of India 1876–1880) made efforts to plan
402-543: A portion of the Bharauli pargana. The settlement grew rapidly after this, from 30 houses in 1830 to 1,141 houses in 1881. In 1832, Shimla saw its first political meeting between the Governor-General Lord William Bentinck and the emissaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh . In a letter to Colonel Churchill, he wrote: Shimla is only four days march from Loodianah ( Ludhiana ), is easy to access, and proves
469-574: A very agreeable refuge from the burning plains of Hindoostaun ( Hindustan ). Combermere's successor Earl Dalhousie visited Shimla in the same year. After this, the town was under Nawab (King) Kumar Ghosal of Bally, West Bengal, and saw regular visits from the Governors-General and Commanders-in-Chief of British India. Several young British officers started visiting the area to socialise with the higher-ups; they were followed by ladies looking for marriage alliances for their relatives. Shimla thus became
536-467: Is 16–45 years of age. A further 28% of the population is younger than 15 years. The low sex ratio – 930 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2001 – is cause for concern, and much lower than the 974 versus 1,000 for Himachal Pradesh state as a whole. The unemployment rate in the city has come down from 36% in 1992 to 22.6% in 2006. This drop is attributed to recent industrialisation, the growth of service industries, and knowledge development. Hindi
603-760: Is currently the effective boundary between China and India, although its legal status is disputed by the Chinese government. This was also the site of a series of talks held by Viceroy Wavell to discuss a plan for the independence of India with the Indian political leaders of the time. Known as the Simla Conference, the talks failed to bring about a resolution. Shimla was the capital city in exile of British Burma (present-day Myanmar ) from 1942 to 1945. The Kalka–Shimla railway line , opened in 1903, added to Shimla's accessibility and popularity. The railway route from Kalka to Shimla, with more than 806 bridges and 103 tunnels,
670-454: Is on the south-western ranges of the Himalayas at 31°37′N 77°06′E / 31.61°N 77.10°E / 31.61; 77.10 . It has an average altitude of 2,206 metres (7,238 ft) above mean sea level and extends along a ridge with seven spurs . The city stretches nearly 9.2 kilometres (5.7 mi) from east to west. The city is a Zone IV (High Damage Risk Zone) per
737-405: Is situated 88 km (55 miles) northeast of Kalka , 116 km (72 miles) northeast of Chandigarh , 247 km (154 miles) south of Manali and 350 km (219 miles) northeast of Delhi , the national capital. Kalka can be reached within 2.5 hours, and Chandigarh can be reached in 3 hours and 15 minutes. Delhi and Manali are both around 7 hours away from Shimla. To the east of Shimla stand
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#1732887194858804-414: Is the lingua franca of the city, it is the principal spoken language of the city and also the most commonly used language for official purposes. English is also spoken by a sizeable population and is the second official language of the city. Other than Hindi, Pahari languages are spoken by the ethnic Pahari people, who form a major part of the population in the city. Punjabi language is prevalent among
871-517: Is typically around 45 millimetres (1.8 in) per month during winter and spring, and around 190 millimetres (7.5 in) in June as the monsoon approaches. The average total annual precipitation is 1,487 millimetres (59 in), which is much less than most other hill stations but still much heavier than on the plains. Snowfall in the region, which historically has taken place in December, has lately (over
938-428: The 2023 North India floods . Highest recorded temperature: 32.4 °C (90.3 °F) on 28 May 2010 (A temperature of 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) was recorded on 22 May 2012 at Shimla airport . ) Lowest recorded temperature: −12.2 °C (10.0 °F) on 13 December 1963. Employment is largely driven by the government and tourism sectors. Education sector and horticultural produce processing comprise most of
1005-641: The Earthquake hazard zoning of India . Weak construction techniques and an increasing population pose a serious threat to the already earthquake prone region. There are no water bodies near the main city and the closest river, the Sutlej , is about 21 km (13 mi) away. Other rivers that flow through the Shimla district, although further from the city, are the Giri, and Pabbar (both tributaries of Yamuna ). The green belt in
1072-587: The Gaiety Theatre are reminders of British rule in India. The original Peterhoff , another Viceregal residence, burned down in 1981. British Shimla extended about a mile and a half along the ridge between Jakhoo Hill and Prospect Hill. The central spine was the Mall Road , which ran along the length of the Ridge, with a Mall Extension southwards, closed to all carriages except those of the viceroy and his wife. Shimla
1139-688: The Governor-General of Bengal , visited Shimla and stayed in the Kennedy House. A year later, Stapleton Cotton , the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in India, stayed at the same residence. During his stay, a three-mile road and a bridge were constructed near Jakhoo . In 1830, the British acquired the surrounding land from the chiefs of Keonthal and Patiala in exchange for the Rawin pargana and
1206-660: The Hill States , set up a wood cottage in Shimla. Three years later, his successor and the Scottish civil servant Charles Pratt Kennedy built the first pucca house in the area named Kennedy Cottage in 1822, near Annadale , what is now the home for CPWD office. The accounts of the Britain-like climate started attracting several British officers to the area during the hot Indian summers. By 1826, some officers had started spending their entire vacation in Shimla. In 1827, William Amherst ,
1273-485: The Prime Minister of India . The agreement paved the way for diplomatic recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan. Technically the document was signed at 0040 hours on the night of 3 July; despite this official documents are dated 2 July 1972. Pre-independence structures still dot Shimla; buildings such as the former Viceregal Lodge , Assembly Chamber, Auckland House , Christ Church , Gorton Castle, Shimla Town Hall and
1340-740: The Ridge ground , it goes to the Arabian Sea via the Sutej River , and if water is poured on the southern slope, it meets the Bay of Bengal through the Yamuna River. Shimla was built on top of seven hills: Inverarm Hill, Observatory Hill, Prospect Hill, Summer Hill, Bantony Hill, Elysium Hill and Jakhu Hill. The highest point in Shimla is the Jakhu hill, which is at a height of 2,454 metres (8,051 ft). In recent times
1407-706: The Sugauli Treaty after the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–16). The Gurkha leaders were quelled by storming the fort of Malaun under the command of David Ochterlony in May 1815. In a diary entry dated 30 August 1817, the Gerard brothers, who surveyed the area, describe Shimla as "a middling-sized village where a fakir is situated to give water to the travellers". In 1819, Lieutenant Ross, the Assistant Political Agent in
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#17328871948581474-668: The Auckland Tunnel), about 120 feet (37 m) in length, was also built in 1905. The Simla Convention , an ambiguous treaty concerning the status of Tibet negotiated by representatives of the Republic of China , Tibet and Great Britain was signed in Simla in 1913 and 1914. At the convention a demarcation line between Tibet and the North-east region of India was proposed by Sir Henry McMahon . The line came to be known as McMahon Line and
1541-520: The British, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is also a major tourist attraction. Owing to its steep terrain, Shimla hosts the mountain biking race MTB Himalaya , which started in 2005 and is regarded as the biggest event of its kind in South Asia. Shimla also has the largest natural ice skating rink in South Asia. Apart from being a tourism centre, the city is also an educational hub with several colleges and research institutions. One theory suggests that
1608-459: The Choor . The accompanying notes record that "During a considerable part of the year, the Choor is hoary with snow; and when moonlight falls upon the scene, an effect is produced as if floods of molten silver were poured over the surface. Moonlight in these regions assumes a novel charm." Shimla city is geographically uniquely positioned in such a way, that if water is poured on the northern slope at
1675-731: The Choor Mountains (Chuor, 3647m ). A passage over these mountains, from the Tons River to Shimla is described in Views in India, chiefly among the Himalaya Mountains , by George Francis White with accompanying drawings, Village of Khandoo, on the Ascent to the Choor , and two that were subsequently the subject of poetical illustrations by Letitia Elizabeth Landon , namely Crossing the Choor Mountains , and Village of Koghera and Deodar Forest, near
1742-718: The Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act, 1947 (later renamed as the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1947 vide A.O. of 1950). The State of Bilaspur was merged into the Himachal Pradesh on 1 April 1954 by the Himachal Pradesh and Bilaspur (New State) Act, 1954. Himachal became a part C state on 26 January 1950 with the implementation of the Constitution of India and the Lt. Governor was appointed. The legislative assembly
1809-516: The Hills are from August to December. Samabalaru falls is the source of Kottakudi river which serves the drinking water needs of Bodinayakanur . The central village has a population of 200 people and 50 houses. Lodging is available in Top Station, Bodinayakanur and Munnar. along with two cottages in the central village. Hill station A hill station is a town located at a higher elevation than
1876-468: The Indian state of Himachal Pradesh , are two example of that misuse of Hill Station or more accurately deviation of its meaning. These two historical settlements existed prior to the British, and haven't been specially frequented by them or even extensively modified or shaped by them. However, the rise of internal domestic tourism in India from the eighties and the subsequent reproduction of Hill Station practice by urban middle-class Indians contributed to
1943-585: The Kottakudi River, where they then flow into Vaigai Dam . The Kurangani Hills near Bodinayakkanur in Theni district are suitable for trekking and nature walks, including the 12 km walk from Kurangani village to Top Station through the central village. Those who visit Munnar in Kerala can also enter the trekking route by walking down the dense woods and plain grasslands. It takes four to five hours to complete
2010-593: The National Academy of Audit and Accounts, Shimla. Students from across India prefer to study in Shimla because of its climate and Queen of Hill Stations status. These have added to the economy of the district as well as the state. The government is trying to promote the technology and IT sector as the new area for growth and promotion although not many companies have yet settled in Shimla. There are many new startups in and around Shimla. There are over six call centres in Shimla. The administrative responsibilities of
2077-514: The Rothney Castle . Many believe that during the British period , the image of the goddess was shifted to a new place, the now-famous Kali Bari Temple . In 2018, the state government decided to change the city's name from Shimla to Shyamala. However, seeing the negative response of the general public, the state government dismissed the plan. Most of the area occupied by present-day Shimla city
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2144-487: The Shimla planning area is spread over 414 hectares (1,020 acres). The main forests in and around the city are of Pine , Deodar , Oak and Rhododendron . Environmental degradation due to the increasing number of tourists every year without the infrastructure to support them has resulted in Shimla losing its popular appeal as an ecotourism spot. Another rising concern in the region are the frequent number of landslides that often take place after heavy rains. The city
2211-592: The area to cater to the needs of the growing European population. On 9 September 1844, the foundation of the Christ Church was laid. Subsequently, several roads were widened and the construction of the Hindustan-Tibet road with a 560-feet tunnel was taken up in 1851–52. This tunnel, now known as the Dhalli Tunnel, was started by Major Briggs in 1850 and completed in the winter of 1851–52. The 1857 uprising caused
2278-621: The area. The climatic conditions attracted the British to establish the city in the dense forests of the Himalayas . As the summer capital, Shimla hosted many important political meetings including the Simla Deputation of 1906 , the Simla Accord of 1914 and the Simla Conference of 1945 . After independence, the state of Himachal Pradesh came into being in 1948 as a result of the integration of 28 princely states . Even after independence,
2345-673: The city has spread past the initial seven hills. Shimla features a subtropical highland climate (Cwb) under the Köppen climate classification . The climate in Shimla is predominantly cool during winters and moderately warm during summer. The average temperature during summer is between 16 and 25 °C (61 and 77 °F), and between 3 and 11 °C (37 and 52 °F) in winter. Monthly precipitation varies between 13.6 millimetres (0.54 in) in November and 350 millimetres (14 in) in August. It
2412-595: The city of Shimla and merged areas of Dhalli, Totu , and New Shimla reside with the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC). All three areas were taken under SMC in 2006–07. Established in 1851, the Shimla Municipal Corporation is an elected body comprising 41 councillors, three of whom are nominated by the government of Himachal Pradesh . The nominations are based on prominence in the fields of social service, academics, and other activities. 33% of
2479-521: The city remained an important political centre, hosting the Simla Agreement of 1972 . After the reorganisation of the state of Himachal Pradesh, the existing Mahasu district was named Shimla. Shimla is home to several buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches. The colonial architecture and churches,
2546-493: The colonial structuring of a segregational and ontological divide between Indians and Europeans, and as institutional sites of imperial power." William Dalrymple wrote that "The viceroy was the spider at the heart of Simla's web: From his chambers in Viceregal Lodge, he pulled the strings of an empire that stretched from Rangoon in the east to Aden in the west." Meanwhile Judith T Kenny observed that "the hill station as
2613-606: The enactment of Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 by the Parliament. On 18 December 1970, the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January 1971. Thus Himachal emerged as the eighteenth state of the Indian Union. The Simla Agreement treaty was signed in Shimla by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto , the President of Pakistan , and Indira Gandhi ,
2680-491: The evolution of hill stations in India: high refuge, high refuge to hill station, and hill station to town. The first settlements started in the 1820s, primarily as sanitoria. In the 1840s and 1850s, there was a wave of new hill stations, with the main impetus being "places to rest and recuperate from the arduous life on the plains". In the second half of the 19th century, there was a period of consolidation with few new hill stations. In
2747-531: The final phase, "hill stations reached their zenith in the late nineteenth century. The political importance of the official stations was underscored by the inauguration of large and costly public-building projects." The concept of Hill Station has been used loosely in India (and more broadly South Asia) since the mid-20th century to qualify any town or settlement in mountainous areas, which attempt to expand its local economy toward tourism, or have been invested by recent mass tourism practices. Kullu and Manali in
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2814-433: The first reasons in the early 1800s, was for the place to act as a sanitorium for the ailing family members of British officials. After the rebellion of 1857 , the British "sought further distance from what they saw as a disease-ridden land by [escaping] to the Himalayas in the north". Other factors included anxieties about the dangers of life in India, among them "fear of degeneration brought on by too long residence in
2881-503: The four armed police battalions in the state, is available for assistance to the local police. There are eleven courts in the district including a fast-track court. According to 2011 census, Shimla city spread over an area of 35.34 km had a population of 169,578 with 93,152 males and 76,426 females. Shimla urban agglomeration had a population of 171,817 as per provisional data of 2011 census, out of which males were 94,797 and females were 77,020. The effective literacy rate of city
2948-535: The heat during summer in the Indo-Gangetic plain . The presence of many bachelors and unattached men, as well as the many women passing the hot weather there, gave Shimla a reputation for adultery, and at least gossip about adultery: as Rudyard Kipling said in a letter cited by Allen, it had a reputation for "frivolity, gossip, and intrigue". The 500-foot (150 m) Lower Bazaar tunnel was built in 1905 and christened Khachhar Surang. The Elysium Tunnel (now known as
3015-678: The labelling of these two localities as Hill Stations . Munnar , a settlement in the state of Kerala whose economy is primarily based on tea cultivation and processing , as well as plantation agriculture, is another example of a hill town transformed by contemporaneous tourism practices as a hill station. Most hill stations, listed by region: Hundreds of hill stations are located in India. The most popular hill stations in India include: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Punjab Sindh Balochistan Gilgit Baltistan Shimla Shimla ( English: / ˈ ʃ ɪ m l ə / ; Hindi: [ˈʃɪmla] ; also known as Simla ,
3082-511: The largest number of hill stations, most are situated at an altitude of approximately 1,000 to 2,500 metres (3,300 to 8,200 ft). Nandi Hills is a 11th-century hill station that was developed by the Ganga dynasty in present-day Karnataka , India. Tipu Sultan (1751–1799) notably used it as a summer retreat. Hill stations in British India were established for a variety of reasons. One of
3149-514: The last fifteen years) been happening in January or early February every year. The maximum snowfall received in recent times was 38.6 centimetres (15.2 in) on 18 January 2013. On two consecutive days (17 and 18 January 2013), the town received 63.6 centimetres (25.0 in) of snow. On the weekend of 12–13 August 2023, torrential rains attributed to climate change caused major landslides in Shimla, killing at least 57 people. These were part of
3216-556: The list of Indian cities with the highest-ranked hotels. Along with schools of higher education, several institutes are also present, namely Himachal Pradesh University and Indian Institute of Advanced Study . Recruitment to the IAAS is through the joint competitive examinations (the Civil Services Examination ) and promotion from the subordinate cadre. Once recruited to IAAS, the directly recruited officers are trained mainly at
3283-451: The name "Shimla" was derived from Shyamalaya , meaning 'blue house', a solitary house made of blue slate on Jakhu Hill, built by a fakir . According to another version, the city gets its name from Shamli or Shyamala , meaning 'blue lady', referring to the goddess Kali . It is believed that a temple dedicated to goddess Shamli, an incarnation of Kali, used to be on the Jakhu hillside near
3350-509: The nearby plain or valley. The English term was originally used mostly in colonial Asia , but also in Africa (albeit rarely), for towns founded by European colonialists as refuges from the summer heat and, as Dale Kennedy observes about the Indian context, "the hill station (...) was seen as an exclusive British preserve: here it was possible to render the Indian into an outsider". The term is still used in present day, particularly in India, which has
3417-471: The official name until 1972 ) is the capital and the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh . In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of British India . After independence , the city became the capital of East Punjab and was later made the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. It is the principal commercial, cultural and educational centre of the state. Small hamlets were recorded before 1815 when British forces took control of
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#17328871948583484-696: The regional Government of the Punjab moved from Murree , in modern-day Pakistan, to Shimla in 1876. They were joined by many of the British wives and daughters of the men who remained on the plains. Together these formed the Shimla Society, which, according to Charles Allen , "was as close as British India ever came to having an upper crust." This may have been helped by the fact that it was very expensive, having an ideal climate and thus being desirable, as well as having limited accommodation. British soldiers, merchants, and civil servants moved here each year to escape from
3551-592: The remainder. Recently a Model Career Centre has been set-up at Regional Employment Exchange, Shimla to enable bridging the gap between job-seekers and employers. In addition to being the local hub of transport and trade, Shimla is the area's healthcare centre, hosting a medical college and four major hospitals: Indira Gandhi Hospital (Snowdown Hospital,) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital (formerly called Ripon Hospital), Kamla Nehru Hospital and Indus Hospital. The city's development plan aims to make Shimla an attractive health tourism spot. Major departmental headquarters of
3618-591: The seats are reserved for women. The elections take place every five years and the mayor and deputy mayor are elected by and amongst the councillors themselves. The administrative head of the corporation is the Commissioner who is appointed by the state government. The two major political parties are the Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress with a third party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) , emerging. The city contributes one seat to
3685-403: The seats of government and foci of elite social activity", and created racial distinctions which perpetuated British colonial power and oppression as Nandini Bhattacharya notes. Dale Kennedy observed that "the hill station, then, was seen as an exclusive British preserve: here it was possible to render the Indian into an outsider". Kennedy, following Monika Bührlein, identifies three stages in
3752-430: The state are also located in Shimla such as Himachal Pradesh Government Printing and Stationery Press , Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board , and Himachal Pradesh Police Headquarters . The hotel industry is one of the major sources of income generation for the city. Shimla has up to 6500 hotels, including 5-star hotels, most popular is Oberoi Cecil , Peterhoff , Wildflower Hall and Hotel Holiday Home. Shimla leads
3819-501: The state assembly ( Vidhan Sabha ) and one seat to the lower house of parliament ( Lok Sabha ). Law and order in the city is collectively maintained by the Police Force, Vigilance Department, enforcement directorate, forensics, fire brigade, prisons service and Home Guard. There are five police stations and three fire stations in Shimla. The Superintendent of Police , Shimla heads the police force. The First Armed Police Battalion, one of
3886-413: The steep slopes from the Ridge. The Upper Bazaar was cleared for a town hall, with many facilities such as a library and theatre, as well as offices for police and military volunteers as well as municipal administration. During the "Hot Weather", Shimla was also the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief, India , the head of the Indian Army , and many departments of the government . The summer capital of
3953-447: The temples, and the natural environment of the city attract tourists. Major city centre's attractions include the Shri Hanuman Jakhu (Statue) , Jakhu Temple , Viceregal Lodge , Christ Church , Mall Road , The Ridge and Annadale . The city centre's northernmost point is Jakhoo and the southernmost location is Annadale, the easternmost point is Sanjauli and the western point is Chotta Shimla. The Kalka–Shimla Railway line built by
4020-426: The town from 1876, when he first stayed in a rented house, but began plans for a Viceregal Lodge , later built on Observatory Hill. A fire cleared much of the area where the native Indian population lived (the "Upper Bazaar" nowadays known as the Ridge ), and the planning of the eastern end to become the centre of the European town forced them to live in the Middle and Lower Bazaars on the lower terraces descending
4087-462: The trek from Kurangani village, the foothills of the Hills, to reach Top station, while two-and-a-half hours is enough for the return trip. Hikes begin 35 km from Munnar and reach Top Station Theni district . The nearby Munnar Hills and Kolukkumalai Hills are the world's highest tea plantation at an altitude close to 8,000 feet (2,400 m). The films Alagar Samiyin Kuthurai , Myna and Kumki were shot there. The best months to explore
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#17328871948584154-437: Was 93.63% and that of urban agglomeration was 94.14%. The city area has increased considerably along with time. It has stretched from Hiranagar to Dhalli from one side & Tara Devi to Malyana in the other. As per the 2001 India Census, the city has a population of 142,161 spread over an area of 19.55 km . A floating population of 75,000 is attributed to service industries such as tourism. The largest demographic, 55%,
4221-449: Was completely burnt in the 2018 fire. A mountain stream passes between Kurangani mountains in the east and Kolukkumalai in the west. The hills are characterized by frequently-changing weather, low-hanging clouds, chilly atmosphere and strong winds, and are home to a wide range of flora and fauna including Indian gaurs , barking deer , langurs , wild cats , leopards and tigers . Kurangani has more than 6 small streams. All join into
4288-403: Was dense forest during the 18th century. The only sign of civilisation was the Jakhu Temple and a few scattered houses. The area was called 'Shimla', perhaps named after a Hindu goddess , Shyamala Devi , an incarnation of Kali . The area of present-day Shimla was invaded and captured by Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal in 1806. The British East India Company took control of the territory as per
4355-482: Was elected in 1952. Himachal Pradesh became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956. Following areas of Punjab State namely Shimla, Kangra, Kulu and Lahul and Spiti Districts, Nalagarh tehsil of Ambala District, Lohara, Amb and Una kanungo circles, some areas of Santokhgarh kanungo circle and some other specified area of Una tehsil of Hoshiarpur District besides some parts of Dhar Kalan Tehsil of Pathankot district ; were merged with Himachal Pradesh on 1 November 1966 on
4422-438: Was named its capital. After independence, the Chief Commissioner's Province of H.P. came into being on 15 April 1948 as a result of the integration of 28 petty princely states (including feudatory princes and zaildars) in the promontories of the western Himalaya , known in full as the Shimla Hills States and four Punjab southern hill states by the issue of the Himachal Pradesh (Administration) Order, 1948 under Sections 3 and 4 of
4489-435: Was touted as an engineering feat and came to be known as the "British Jewel of the Orient". In 2008, it became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site . Following the partition of India , it briefly served as the capital of East Punjab, until construction of the new city of Chandigarh (the present-day capital of the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana ). Upon the formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh in 1971, Shimla
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