Shimla - History and Random....

I had always known Shimla only as a beautiful hill station. But I came to realise that it was also a historically significant place. Being the summer capital of The Raj Indian Empire, the entire administration of the Indian subcontinent was carried out from here.

One morning we visited the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, which was formerly the Viceroy Lodge. About 13 British Viceroys governed the Indian subcontinent from this building during the summers. After independence it was the summer residence of the President until Dr S.Radhakrishnan donated the building to be an educational centre.

The guided tour of the building was very interesting and informative. I was in total awe of the conference hall when it was pointed out that this was the hall where The Indian National Leaders and The British Officers met and the decision to divide the land was taken in that very place. The table on which the documents were signed was also right there. It was quiet a strong place where such monumental historic decisions were made.

One of the most mentionable places of Shimla is the Indian Coffee House. Balajee and I enjoyed as many meals as possible in that charming old place. The atmosphere in the old building is fantastic with government officials, lawyers, tourists and travellers occupying the tables. I guess I just love old time charm. If ever in Shimla, don't miss the Indian Coffee House.

The main street is called The Mall road. But soon I realised that the city centre in every British built Hill Station is called the Mall road. I saw it in Massoorie, Dalhousie and Manali too. I read somewhere about a hill station in Pakistan with a Mall road. But I should say these roads have character and soul that the shallow Malls we have in our big cities don't.