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Heritage Walks In Shimla

Heritage Walks In Shimla

Shimla was declared the `Summer Capital of British Empire in India’ in 1864, under the Viceroyalty of John Lawrence. As a summer capital, Shimla also saw lot of building activity in the town and some of the finest structures of the British-colonial genre still stand over its seven hills. Most of the heritage buildings in the city are preserved in their original architecture. One can witness classic buildings built in various architectural styles from Victorian, post Victorian, gothic, Georgian, Tudor, Moc-Tudor, Bavarian, neo, Lyutens to modern.

The best way to explore this lovely hill station is by foot. A walk around various structures including castles, temples, heritage hotels, homes, offices and banks, gives you a glimpse into the fabulous past of Shimla. You may take up following routes:

( CONTACT OUR TRAVEL DESK FOR A GUIDED WALKING TOUR )

ROUTE 1

Starting Point : Hotel Royale Retreat

1.

SHIMLA RAILWAY BOARD BUILDING

(350 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 6 mins. walk)

The Shimla Railway Board building, constructed in 1896, was the first of its kind in India. It was made of cast iron and steel and was designed to be resistant to fire. Presently the building houses various Government offices.

2.

TELEGRAPH OFFICE

(950 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 17 mins. walk)

Designed by the Scottish architect Scott Begg in 1922, the iconic Telegraph Office building in Shimla is built from red brick and has a earthquake-proof design. The Telegraph Office was one of the oldest automated telephone exchanges in the world, with a capacity for handling 2000 lines and is today the BSNL office.

3.

SCANDAL POINT

( 1.1 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 19 mins. walk )

The Scandal Point is the hub of Shimla’s social life and is said to be named after a British Commander-in-Chief’s daughter who eloped from the spot with the Maharaja of Patiala.

4.

CONNY COTTAGE/ GENERAL POST OFFICE

(1.1 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 20 mins. walk)

Shimla’s General Post Office was constructed in the year 1882 as Conny Cottage. Built in a mix of Tudor, Gothic and Alpine styles, the GPO building is one of the fine examples of the British Colonial Hilly Architecture. Made mostly of timber, the building consists of a tinned roof, hollow large pillars made of stone and is one of the six heritage post offices of the country. The building has been painted in white and red to follow the Indian colour code of the postal system.

5.

TOWN HALL

(1.2 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 20 mins. walk)

Constructed in 1910, the Town Hall is situated on the Mall Road which houses offices of Shimla Municipal Corporation and a library. The façade of  the Town Hall towards Scandal Point, represents European character of the building.

6.

THE RIDGE

(1.3 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 23 mins. walk)

Before Britishers moved to Shimla, the Ridge used to be the main housing and market district for the locals, and was referred to as Upper Bazaar. The ridge runs east to west along the Mall Road, and joins at the Scandal Point on the west side. Prominent landmarks on the Ridge area are the Christ Church, a neo-Gothic structure built in 1844 and a Tudorbethan styled library building built in 1910.  The Ridge has Shimla’s largest flat open space where all cultural activities are held.

7.

BANDSTAND

(1.3 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 23 mins. walk)

The Bandstand is located on the Ridge, where people used to rest and view spectacular beauty of the snow clad mountains. Military bands used to play music at this place and thus it was called `Band Stand’. The base of the structure is circular in shape while the roof is conical. This band stand has been presently  converted into a restaurant by the state tourism department and is known as `Ashiana’.

8.

THE CHURCH

(1.7 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 27 mins. walk)

Built in the neo-Gothic style in 1857, the Church on the Ridge is one of the enduring legacies of the British Raj.

9.

CLARKE’S HOTEL

(1.9 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 28 mins. walk)

The Clark’s hotel is conveniently located right at the end of Shimla’s Mall Road. Built in 1898 in a grand colonial style, the hotel exudes the elegance and grace of the British Imperial era. Clarkes is one of the oldest hotels in Shimla. It is believed that it’s British owner Mr. Ernest Clarke and his wife Gertrude  took a great liking to the honesty and hard work of young Mohan Singh Oberoi, who worked as a front desk clerk at the Cecil hotel. Before going back to London, they sold Hotel Carlton – now renamed as Clarkes to him in 1934.

10.

BARNE’S COURT

(3.6 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 55 mins. walk)

Barne’s Court was the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief in India from 1849 to 1865 and was named after General Sir Edward Barnes. It is now the Raj Bhavan or residence of the governor of Himachal Pradesh.

ON WAY BACK

11.

GAIETY HERITAGE CULTURAL COMPLEX

(1.3 km. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 23 mins. walk)

Located on the Mall Road, Gaeity Theatre  was added along with Town Hall in 1888 and was a hub for theatre goers and art lovers.

12.

BENTINCK CASTLE

(750 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 13 mins. walk)

In 1832 Lord William Bentinck, the next Governor General of Bengal visited Shimla and it was during his time that Shimla was actually  acquired by the Government of India. The old Dak Bungalow of Shimla was demolished to provide a site for the Bentinck Castle, which is today the famous Grand Hotel. The beautiful wooden architecture of the building amidst the sprawling lawns is a site worth exploring.

13.

KALI BARI TEMPLE

(550 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 9 mins. walk)

Built in Bengali architecture style, the Kali Bari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, also known as Syamala. The city Shimla got its name from the Goddess Syamala. The temple, built around 1845 in Hindu-style architecture, was located in Jakhoo Hill initially. The Britishers relocated the temple to its present location in Bantony Hills.

Back to Hotel Royale Retreat

ROUTE 2

Starting Point : Hotel Royale Retreat

1.

SHIMLA RAILWAY BOARD BUILDING

(350 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 6 mins. walk)

The Shimla Railway Board building, constructed in 1896, was the first of its kind in India. It was made of cast iron and steel and was designed to be resistant to fire. Presently the building houses various Government offices.

2.

GORTON CASTLE (A.G. OFFICE)

(300 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 6 mins. walk)

Gorton’s Castle is another Heritage Building designed by Col. Sir S. Swinton Jacob , and modified by Major H. F. Chesney in 1904. Formerly the colonial government secretariat, the Gorton’s Castle is now the Accountant Generals office.

3.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING (H.P. VIDHAN SABHA)

(850 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 12 mins. walk)

Constructed in 1925, the Council Chambers of the State Legislative Building was inaugurated by the then Viceroy of India, on August 27, 1925. At the time of Partition, the Punjab Govt. was shifted to Shimla and its Assembly held its meetings in this building. Today the building serves as the Vidhan Sabha, the administrative quarters of the state where all the state legislative assembly meetings and conventions are held.

4.

KENNEDY COTTAGE

(900 metres from Hotel Royale Retreat; 13 mins. walk)

Kennedy Cottage was the first pucca house constructed by Lt. Charles Patt Kennedy in 1822. Lord Amherst, the Governor-General of Bengal was the first Governor General who visited Shimla in 1827 and stayed for two months with Major Kennedy at the Kennedy House. Lord Combermere, the first Commander-in-Chief to arrive in Simla, also made his headquarters at the Kennedy House.

5.

OBEROI CECIL HOTEL

(1.2 kms. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 16 mins. walk)

Located near the Viceregal Lodge, Hotel Oberoi Cecil is a grand heritage hotel built in the 1880s and was the most exclusive five star hotels in Shimla during British Raj.

6.

PETERHOFF

(1.9 kms. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 24 mins. walk)

Located in Chaura Maidan, Peterhoff has been built in typical Tudor-style and housed by atleast seven Viceroys and Governors General of India during the British Raj. Its first occupant was James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, who moved into the building in 1863. After India’s independence, the building served as the Punjab High Court and it was here where the trial of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, took place in 1948–49. A fire damaged the building in 1981 and it was rebuilt as a hotel in 1991.

7.

VICEREGAL LODGE

(2.7 kms. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 36 mins. walk)

Once the residence of the British Viceroy of India, Viceregal Lodge houses some of the most ancient articles and photographs of the British rule in India. Timings: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday closed.

8.

ANNADALE & ARMY MUSEUM

(2.4 kms. from Hotel Royale Retreat; 32 mins. walk)

During British Raj, Annadale was one of the cool spots for entertainment and enjoyment, where various cultural and sporting events were hosted. Captain Charles Pratt Kennedy was so struck by the beauty of the valley, that he named it after his boyhood beloved Anna. He combined it with the word ‘dale’ meaning a valley, and thus the valley was called Annadale.

Back to Hotel Royale Retreat

TIPS

  • Wear comfortable clothes and footwear
  • Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, cap and camera
  • Carry an umbrella and a raincoat during the monsoon.
  • Carry enough water to keep yourself well hydrated.