Simla The Summer Capital Of British India, 1890 Photo
An 1890 photo of Simla (Shimla) the summer capital of British India. The scenic photo shows the beautiful Town Hall in the far distance. Beside the locals, an English lady with her two children can be seen on the Mall. Today Simla is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, it lies on the foothills of the Himalayas. Discovered by the British in 1815 it slowly developed as their summer capital by 1864.
After India’s independence, it first became the capital of Punjab then Himachal Pradesh. The remoteness of the place coupled with the enormous difficulty of moving all the apparatus of the government twice a year back and forth to Calcutta. It meant that for six months in a year, the capital was not Calcutta (Kolkata) but Simla.
Like Kashmir was the beloved of the Mughals, Shimla became the most desired hill station for the colonial masters. There were many hill stations, and most Europeans fled to them during the hot weather. The officials with their families in Madras (Chennai) escaped either to Ooty or Kodaikanal. The same was with Lucknow and Meerut, the administrators rushed to Mussoorie or Naini Taal. Likewise was the case with Darjeeling, it was a welcome relief for European officials from Calcutta.
See post British Family At Tea Simla – Old Photograph 1895. Read also History of Shimla Town.
Did you know- it is situated atop seven major hills at the foothills of the Himalayas.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma Painting – 2 Old Postcards 1976., Opening Of The Madras Railway – Old Print 1856., Bombay University Hall & Rajabai Clock Tower – Old Postcard., WWI German Cruiser Emden’s Sea Route Map 1914
