SHIMLA DISTRICT – Important Places (Concise Self-Explanatory Notes)

1. Shimla – City of Seven Hills

Shimla is known as the City of Seven Hills because it was built on seven hills:

1. Jakhu Hill
2. Elysium Hill
3. Bantony Hill
4. Inverarm Hill
5. Observatory Hill
6. Summer Hill
7. Prospect Hill

2. Victory Tunnel

• Built in 1945 AD.
• Connects Shimla city with important inter-city routes.
• Named to commemorate the victory of the Allied Forces in the Second World War (WWII).

3. Annadale

Annadale is one of Shimla’s most important historic grounds, associated with the British period, military, sports, and public events.

Army Control

• Came under Army possession in 1941 during World War II.
• Officially leased to the Army in 1958, with retrospective effect from 1955.
• The lease expired in 1982.
• After expiry, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) is demanding its transfer to develop a cricket stadium.

Expansion

• Originally measured about ¼ mile in circumference.
• Expanded to 1.25 miles during Lord Dufferin’s Viceroyalty (1884–88) by cutting trees.
• The expansion enabled sports such as polo and horse racing.

Origin of the Name

Two explanations are associated with the name Annadale:

First Version

• A fun fair was organized here in September 1833 to raise funds for a girls’ school at Subathu.
• The name Annadale first appeared in the East India United Service Journal (1834).
• It resembled the Annadale Valley in Dumfriesshire, Scotland.

Second Version

• In 1822, Charles Pratt Kennedy, Political Agent to the British Government, visited Shimla to identify a suitable location for the summer capital.
• Impressed by the valley’s beauty, he named it after Anna, his beloved in England.

Important Historical Events

Durand Football Tournament

• Started at Annadale in 1888 by Mortimer Durand.
• Interrupted during World War I (1914–19) and World War II.
• Shifted to Delhi in 1940.

Gymkhana Shed (1924)

• A Gymkhana shed was built without municipal permission.
• It was later explained that the shed was constructed so that the Purdah ladies of Maharaja Bharatpur could comfortably watch sporting events.

All India Congress Committee Session

• Held at Annadale in 1971.

Dussehra Incident (1972)

• A clash occurred between the Police and Army personnel during Dussehra celebrations.
• Afterwards, the Dussehra venue was shifted to the Hanuman Temple at Jakhu.

Maha Yajna (1994)

• Organized by Gayatri Parivar.

Present Importance

• A 9-hole Golf Course was started in 2002.
• The Army War Museum was established in 2005.

4. Bantony Building

• Served as the summer palace of the Princely State of Sirmaur during the British period.

5. Centre of Climate Change Building (Bemloe)

• Located in the Bemloe area of Shimla.
• Developed by the Department of Environment, Himachal Pradesh.
• It is the first environmentally friendly (green) government building in Himachal Pradesh.

Main Features

• Reduced water consumption
• Reduced energy consumption
• Waste reduction
• Maximum use of natural light
• Rainwater harvesting
• Waste recycling

6. Geo-informatics Centre, Shimla

Official Name

Aryabhatta Geoinformatics and Space Application Centre (AGiSAC)

Establishment

• Became operational on 5 December 2011.

Technical Assistance

• Established with support from the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG), Gujarat.

Purpose

Strengthens e-Governance by providing real-time information on:

• Availability of PDS ration in Fair Price Shops
• Attendance of teachers and students
• Staff deployment in government institutions
• Location of officers during official tours

Public Benefit

• Consumers receive SMS alerts regarding the availability of ration in Fair Price Shops.

7. Jutogh

• Located about 5 km from Shimla.
• Acquired by the British Government in 1843.
• First occupied by a Gurkha Regiment.

Importance

• Known as the Winter Sports Capital.
• Famous for skiing.

8. Nirman Bhawan

• An eco-friendly and energy-efficient building constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) at Nigam Vihar, Shimla.
• Received the Vishwakarma Award 2011 from the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC).
• Chief Architect: Vijay Uppal
• Chief Engineer: B.D. Joshi

9. Rampur

• Located on the left bank of the Sutlej River.
• Famous for Padam Palace, the royal residence of the former Bushahr State.

10. Shilaru

• Located near Theog in Shimla district.
• Houses the Sports Authority of India (SAI) High Altitude Training Centre.
• It has the highest hockey ground in Asia.

11. The Mall, Shimla

One of the most important public and commercial areas of Shimla.

Important Buildings

• Gaiety Theatre
• Indira Gandhi Khel Parisar
• United Services Club

Environmental Recognition

• On 23 March 2011, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests declared Shimla and Tirupati as Environmentally Sustainable Cities under the East Asian Summit Forum.

12. Wildflower Hall

• Built in 1905 by Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Forces.
• Initially served as the residence of Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India.
• After Independence, it became a hotel managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC).
• Destroyed in a major fire on 5 March 1993.

13. Hanuman Temple (Jakhu)

• Associated with the Ramayana.
• According to tradition, Lord Hanuman rested here while carrying the Sanjivani Booti to save Lakshman.
• The temple has a 108-foot-tall Hanuman statue.
• The statue was built by Naresh Kumar of Pilani (Rajasthan) with the help of 40 workers.

14. Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study)

• Built during the Viceroyalty of Lord Dufferin (1884–88).
• Designed by Henry Irwin.
• Venue of the Shimla Conference (1945).
• In 1947, discussions leading to the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan took place here.
• After Independence, it was renamed Rashtrapati Niwas.
• It now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS).

15. Ellerslie

• Constructed in 1886.
• Designed by Lt. Col. H.E.S. Abbott.
• Originally built to accommodate the Punjab Secretariat.
• Became the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat in 1967.
• In 1972, the initial India–Pakistan summit meeting, before the signing of the Shimla Agreement, was held here.

16. Town Hall

• Built in 1860.
• Houses the offices of the:
  • Mayor
  • Deputy Mayor
  • Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Shimla

17. Prindaus Bank Building

• Located on The Ridge, Shimla.
• Built in 1860.
• Houses the Municipal Corporation Library.

18. Council Chamber (Vidhan Sabha)

• Constructed during 1923–24.
• Officially inaugurated by Lord Reading in 1925.
• Used for the sessions of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.

19. Auckland House School

• The old building at this site was purchased by General Auckland in 1835.
• The present building was constructed in 1920.

20. Barnes Court

• The old building was purchased by Lord Edward Barnes, Commander-in-Chief (1879–86).
• Built in the Tudor style of architecture.
• Served as the Summer Raj Bhavan (Governor’s residence of Punjab) until 1966.
• After the reorganization of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, it became a State Guest House.
• In 1972, the Shimla Agreement was signed here by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan’s President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
• After Peterhoff Raj Bhavan was destroyed by fire in 1981, Barnes Court became the official residence of the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
• It was here that General Anson received the news of the Revolt of 1857.

21. Coffee House, Shimla

• Operates under the Indian Coffee Workers’ Cooperative Society, Delhi.
• The society manages 12 Coffee Houses in North India.
• These societies are affiliated to the All India Coffee Workers’ Cooperative Societies’ Federation.
• Jawaharlal Nehru encouraged coffee workers to establish these cooperative societies.
• Therefore, only the photographs of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru are displayed in these coffee houses.

22. Christ Church, Shimla

• Built in 1857.
• It is the second oldest church in North India.
• The foundation stone was laid by Reverend Daniel Wilson, Bishop of Calcutta, in 1844.
• Designed by J.T. Boileau.

23. Glen

• A popular picnic spot in Shimla.
• Can be approached through Cecil Hotel and Kennedy House.

24. Kamna Devi

• Located near Boileauganj.
• Situated on Prospect Hill.
• Famous for the Kamna Devi Temple.

25. Naldehra

• Famous for one of the oldest golf courses in India.
• The 9-hole golf course was laid by Lord Curzon in 1903.

26. Gorton Castle

• Originally belonged to Mr. Gorton, an officer of the Indian Civil Service (ICS).
• Designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob.
• Presently houses the Office of the Accountant General, Himachal Pradesh.
• On 28 January 2014, two storeys of the building were destroyed in a major fire.

27. Rothney Castle

• Built in 1904.
• A historic colonial-era building in Shimla.

28. Craignano

• A popular picnic spot near Mashobra in Shimla district.

29. Thanedhar

• Famous as an apple-growing centre of Shimla district.

30. Hatkoti

Hatkoti is one of the most important religious centres in Shimla district.

Location

• Situated on the bank of the Pabbar River.
• The Pabbar River is considered the lifeline of the Hatkoti Valley.
• Known as the Valley of Temples.

Confluence

Hatkoti is the meeting point of:

• Bish River
• Kulit River
• Maindli Khud

Religious Importance

• Houses the famous Hateshwari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Hateshwari, the principal deity of the region.
• According to tradition, the Hatkoti Temple was built by the Pandavas.
• The temples are also believed to have been founded by Adi Shankaracharya during his journey to Kashmir.
• Later, the temples were re-roofed by Raja Padam Chandra of Jubbal.

Historical Importance

• The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai were immersed at the confluence here.

Hateshwari Idol

• The principal idol in the Durga Temple is made of Ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy).
• It depicts Goddess Mahishasuramardini slaying the demon Mahishasura with a trident.
• The goddess has eight arms.

Weapons held by the Goddess

Right Hands

• Khetak (shield)
• Bell
• Bow
• Chasakpatra

Left Hands

• Khadga (sword)
• Chakra
• Shakti (spear)
• Trident

31. Kennedy House

• A historic colonial-era building in Shimla.
• Located on the route leading to The Glen.

32. Kupar Peak

• near Kharapathar .
• Source of the Giri Ganga (an important tributary of the Yamuna River).