Important Historical Buildings in Shimla | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Shimla, the picturesque hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India, boasts a rich historical heritage. From military events to colonial architecture, here is a detailed overview of its significant landmarks and events.

Annadale

• First Fun Fair (September 1833): Annadale hosted its inaugural fun fair in September 1833 to support the establishment of a girls' school in Subathu.

• Viceregal Dance (24th May 1839): In honor of the Queen's birthday, a grand viceregal dance took place in Annadale on May 24, 1839.

• Durand Football Tournament (1888): Sir Mortimer Durand inaugurated the Durand Football Tournament in Annadale in 1888.

• Current Use: Today, Annadale serves as an army area and is home to the Army Heritage Museum.

• Historical Name: Originally known as "Company Ka Baag," Annadale was used by the East India Company and later by the British Raj.

Christ Church, Shimla

• Foundation Stone (9 September 1844): Rev. Daniel Wilson, the Bishop of Calcutta, laid the first cornerstone of Christ Church on September 9, 1844.

• Consecration (10 January 1857): The church was consecrated on January 10, 1857, by Bishop Thomas Daltrey, Bishop of Madras.

• Architectural Design: Designed by Colonel J. T. Boileau in 1844, Christ Church is built in the neo-Gothic style and is located on The Ridge.

• Clock Donation (1860): The church’s clock was donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860.

Gunj Bazar (Market)

• Establishment (1848): Edward established Gunj Bazar in 1848 to provide a marketplace for local trade.

Barnes Court

• Construction and Early Use (1830s): Built around 1830, Barnes Court is designed in the Tudor style and initially served as the summer residence for army commanders, including Sir Edward Barner in 1932.

• Subsequent Use: It was later used as a residence for the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. During 1849 to 1864, it hosted various British Commanders-in-Chief, including General Anson, General Gomm, and General Campbell.

• Great Uprising of 1857: It was at Barnes Court that General Anson received the news of the Great Uprising of 1857.

• Transition to Raj Bhawan (1878-1966): The Punjab Government purchased Barnes Court in 1878 for the Lieutenant Governor Sir Robert Egerton. It served as the summer Raj Bhawan until 1966.

• Post-Reorganization Use: After Shimla’s reallocation to Himachal Pradesh, Barnes Court became a State Guest House. It was briefly the Raj Bhawan before being restored and is now used as the temporary residence of the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

• Shimla Agreement (1972): The Shimla Agreement was signed here in August 1972 by Indian Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi and Pakistani Prime Minister Mr. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Rothney Castle

• Initial Construction (1838): Originally named Rothney House, it was built by Colonel Rothney in 1838 and later sold to Dr. Carte in 1844, who established the Shimla Bank Corporation there.

• Notable Residents: It was the residence of A. O. Hume, the founder of the Indian National Congress. The house, now a luxury hotel, was where Hume amassed a large collection of stuffed Asiatic birds, later donated to the British Museum. He also founded the Indian National Congress here in 1885.

• Location:Situated on Jakhoo Hill.

Bonnie Moon

• Founding and Collection: Founded by Colonel Robert Tytler, Bonnie Moon was a museum that housed extensive collections of birds, animals, shells, manuscripts, and geological specimens from around the world.

• Location: Located on Jakhoo Hill in Shimla, where Tytler resided.

Viceregal Lodge

• Construction and Design (1880-1888): Designed by British architect Henry Irwin, the Viceregal Lodge was built in the Jacobethan style. Its construction began in 1880 and concluded in 1888.

• Residency: Lord Dufferin was the first resident starting July 23, 1888. The lodge was known as Rashtrapati Niwas and served as the summer retreat for Indian Presidents until 1960.

• Post-Independence Use: In 1960, it was handed over to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

Peterhoff

• Initial Construction (1863): Located at Chaura Maidan, Peterhoff was built in the Tudor style and first served as the residence of Viceroy Lord Elgin in 1863.

• Historical Events: It served as the Punjab High Court in 1863 and hosted the trial of Nathu Ram Godse in 1948-49.

• Post-Independence Use: The building was used as Raj Bhawan before it was destroyed by fire in 1981. Reconstructed in 1991, it functioned as a heritage luxury hotel under Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC).

Town Hall

• Design and Purpose (1908): Designed by Scottish architect James Ransome in 1908, the Town Hall was initially planned as a library and office space. After India's partition, it housed the Municipal Corporation offices.

• Architectural Style: Built in the half-timbered Tudor style with wooden frames and shingled eaves.

The Gaiety Theatre

• Opening (30th May 1887): The Gaiety Theatre was inaugurated on May 30, 1887, and constructed in the Gothic style. Its opening performance was a comedy titled "Time Will Tell."

Rippon Hospital

• Inauguration (14th May 1885): Designed by Henry Irwin, Ripon Hospital was opened by Lord Dufferin on May 14, 1885.

Legislative Assembly Building (Council Chamber)

• Construction and Opening (27 August 1925): This building was completed and inaugurated by Lord Reading on August 27, 1925.

Himachal Dham (Akashvani Bhawan)

• Historical Background: Originally known as the Foreign Office Building, it was destroyed by fire on May 5, 1957.

Bishop Cotton School, Shimla

• Foundation and Development: Established on July 28, 1859, by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton at Jutogh, it began classes on March 15, 1863. The school moved to its present site at Knollswood in 1868.

• Notable First Student: Frederick Naylor was the first student to join on March 16, 1863.

Shimla’s Municipal Committee

• Formation and Evolution: Initially constituted in 1852 with the Deputy Commissioner as the ex-officio chairman, Shimla became a first-class municipality in 1871. The Municipal Committee was replaced by the Municipal Corporation in 1978.

• Contribution of Lord Rippon: Lord Rippon's resolution in May 1882 on Local Self Government was significant in shaping municipal governance in India.

Ice Skating Rink

• Establishment (1920): The ice skating rink in Shimla was initiated by Blessington around 1920.

• Modern Development: The highest artificial ice skating rink in Himachal Pradesh, located at Kaza in the Spiti area, aims to promote ice skating and hockey among youth and meets international standards.

Gorton Castle

• Construction and Usage (1901-1904): Built in the Neo-Gothic style, Gorton Castle served as the Civil Secretariat for the Imperial Government of India before becoming the office of the Accountant General of Himachal Pradesh in 1947.

• Recent Events: The castle was damaged by a fire in 2014 but continues to house the Accountant General's office.

Bantony Castle

• Architectural Style and Use (1880): Built in a mock-Tudor style with mini-towers, Bantony Castle was designed by architect TEG Cooper. It was initially the summer palace of the rulers of Sirmaur.

• Current Use: Today, it is managed by Himachal’s Department of Language, Art, and Culture.

Ellerslie House

• Construction and Purpose (1886): Designed by Lt. Colonel H.S. Abbott, Ellerslie House was constructed for government use in 1886. It replaced an older building with the same name used by the Punjab Military Department.

• Modern Function: Since 1967, it has served as the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat and was renamed "