Howdy Everybody!
#THEBLUELADY
Presenting #Shimla to all of you, my dear long lost friends. So, should we relate it to the ‘BLUE HOUSE” built of blue slate on #JAKHU Hill by a fakir? Or a story that says that the name is driven from #Simla which means a blue lady?
The Bule Lady is the goddess KALI in this reference. It is believed that years back near to ‘ROTHNEY CASTLE’ which is on the Jakhu Hill there was a tiny temple in the name of the goddess. In continuation of the story, a few agree that the particular image of the goddess Kali was removed to the present Kali Bari temple.
well! I would vote for the second version of the story. The Blue Female, our Goddess #KALI.As the Hills has the blessings and the power of the Goddess. This is also relatable as most of the people in our hill state of Shimla are either the worshipers of ‘SHIVA ‘or ‘SHAKTI’.
#HISTORYOFSHIMLA
Though I should be telling you about the #Anglo-Gurkha war to start with wars are not something that I like to lay the foundations of a regal Hill station in my article.
Therefore, we begin from the year 1819 A.D.The famous ‘#KENNEDYHOUSE’.Yes! it is the one. Built by LT Ross, the first Assistant Political Agent to the Hill State. It was a mere structure of wood that was later converted into a pakka house by his successor, Lt. Charles Patt Kennedy.
I would want to pitch in praises for the quality of construction in those times. The building to date houses a few government offices.
Shimla Hills has a feeling that no person or even a thing is beyond #NATURE
#RIDGE
The #Ridge was a thickly wooded part of Shimla at that time. It was dense and dark. House to hyena, bear, leopard, barking deers, and jackals. This part of Shimla hills soon turned out to be the favourite hunting spot for the British officers posted there.
It brought more officers to the Hills State.
Anyways! #Shimla was just the size of an oversized British club. Undoubtedly, a refuge from the hustle and bustle of crowded districts in the other parts of #INDIA.
THE MAKING
The pleasant breeze of Hills was spreading like wildfire within the #British kingdom. It is said, that the officers who could not go to LONDON came to Shimla. It was home to them. But it was in the year 1827 that #Governor-General Lord Amherst came to feel Shimla.
Of course, he stayed in #KENNEDYHOUSE and that too for two long months. He came with 1700 coolies.
THE FIRST BRITISH CONSTRUCTIONS IN SHIMLA
Then followed, LORD COMBEREMERE, the then Commander-in-chief of the British forces. After the KENNEDY HOUSE which is the first input by the British in the HILLS came the three-mile road around #JAKHUHILL.
He also ordered the construction of a wooden bridge. This was to go over the deep nullah below the Jakhu Hill.
Under the British, #ShimlaHills were witnessing first of the kind development activities. The British also constructed a house for #LORDBENTICK in 1829.
When he visited Shimla in 1832 that house became his residence.
Shimla was already home to the affluent and fashionable British. It has become a place where major treaties were discussed and signed. Shimla had made its way to travellers in #LONDON.
ANNADALE
It is the most famous flat semi-circular ground in #SHIMLA. It was used as a recreational activity since the very beginning. Yes! in the year 1833, the first funfair was organized in the ground. To your surprise, it was not just a funfair.
It was backed with a noble intention to raise funds for the girl’s school at #SABATHU.
#ANNADALE has its history and a legacy to keep. In the year 1888 SirMortimer Durand inaugurated the ‘DURAND FOOTBALL Tournament’.
This was ANNADALE’s contribution to the world of sports in India.
ANNADALE was a place to display. Therefore, it becomes the venue for the viceregal dance in honour of the Queen’s birthday. It was the year 1839 on 24th MAY.
#BRITISHLEGACYINSHIMLA
1-BONNIE MOON
2-THE UNITED SERVICE CULB
3-RICHMOND VILLA
4-THE CHALET AND CENTRAL HOTEL
5-REVENSWOOD
6-CENTERAL HOTEL
7-ROOKS NEST
8-GLENARM HOTEL etc
Enough for today, it is just the beginning….see you with more on #HIMACHALPRADESH.
