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Summer Capital of the British
Queen of Hills Loses Sheen
Shivraj Sharma Chavinder Sharma (Cover Story)
Shimla, The Queen of Hills, was declared the summer capital of India during the British era in 1864 because it was blessed with all the natural bounties, one can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town has retained its colonial heritage though it is bulging with unprecedented expansion and population rise. Leaders of the Indian nationalist movement came to Shimla in 1946 for a crucial conference that paved the way to Independence. Many historic events took place over the past 150 years in Shimla that has nearly 300 historic buildings. However, the face of Shimla has changed after the independence with population rising to over 2 lakh, thousands of vehicles adding to traffic problems, pedestrian roads disappearing and thousands of concrete structures erected. Senior citizens feel that Shimla is not what it used to be during the colonial era. Shimla Municipal Corporation is also planning to organise yearlong celebrations Sesquicentennial anniversary to commemorate 150 years of declaration of summer capital.
Historic Happenings in Shimla
* Shimla became summer capital of India during the period of Viceroy Lord Lawrence in British regime
* AO Hume initiated the idea of establishing Indian National Congress in Shimla
* Remained centre of freedom fighters during freedom struggle
* Mahatma Gandhi visited Shimla eight times during freedom struggle
* Rabindranath Tagore visited Shimla in 1893
* Captain Kennedy erected the first pucca house in 1822
* Shimla has nearly 300 historical buildings
Shimla Agreement
India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto signed famous Shimla Agreement on July 2, 1972 here. Shimla Conference between Indian National Congress and British government was held here in 1945.
Shimla Bulging with Unprecedented Expansion
Shimla, Queen of Hills, was under Municipal Corporation during the British regime and many Britishers remained commissioner of this body to control the reins of the area. The municipal system is oldest here that controlled electricity, water, street lights and sewerage system. Even the municipal corporations earned revenue from the forests which were under its control. It used to carry out special campaigns in forests of Shimla and its surrounding areas. Conserving green belt was the main concern of the civic body. Presently, the control of forests has been vested with Forest Department. The British officers had deployed employees to keep the city neat and clean.
Ice Water
There was a practice of collecting ice in different bawris to preserve it for a long duration. A couple of such bawris constructed in every ward of Shimla for the purpose are now on the verge of extinction. They can be helpful in summer months if rejuvenated properly.
Pedestrian Roads
There were no roads for vehicles in Shimla where horse carts were used. In addition, Indians were deployed for pulling rickshaws in Queen of Hills. One can still witness the old building of a rickshaw shed in the city that was constructed in 1943. Pedestrian roads prevalent presented a beautiful picture as these were covered by forests on both sides and old pictures of these roads still fascinate people. Pedestrian roads were used for many years after the independence. The remaining pedestrian roads are now in a dilapidated condition.
Famous Clubs
The United Services (US) Club is the oldest one in Shimla. The Britishers used to stay in the Railway Club that was constructed at a time when Kalka-Shimla rail line was being laid. Simla Club is centre of attraction for entertainment activities during evening hours.
Daily Washing of Roads
As Municipal Corporation controlled all systems, the major work was washing of roads daily with water before 8.00 am. Employees were deployed that used to wash roads by opening water hydrants located in at different parts of the city.
Increasing Number of Vehicles
Traffic is a big hazard in the town as number of vehicles has increased tremendously. Contrary to presence of a couple of vehicles during the British era, nearly 35,000 vehicles of all categories are now registered in Shimla that bears the pressure of 55,000 vehicles daily. Number of vehicles plying on city roads during tourist season touches nearly 1 lakh.
Increasing Concrete Structures
The Britishers had made Shimla as their summer capital in 1864. Population of the city meant for nearly 15,000 people has now crossed more than 2 lakh. As a result, concrete structures have come up in all parts of the city in the wake of increasing population pressure. Huge structures have been constructed razing hillocks and felling trees. The ongoing constructions with enhanced pace is a matter of concern as it affects weather conditions also. Earlier locals had exact idea of rainfall and snowfall but weather conditions have altered due to global warming impact.
Changing Face of Queen of Hills
Shimla has expanded to the extent it could expand and there is no further scope of its expansion. Some of the government offices can be shifted out of the town. Many developmental schemes for the town have been completed and others are underway
-Virbhadra Singh Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh
The Shimla Municipal Corporation will organise yearlong celebrations to commemorate Sesquicentennial anniversary of Shimla that was declared as summer capital of India in 1864. A special NGO would be formed for the purpose
-Tikender Singh Panwar Deputy Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation
Increasing concrete structures, shrinking forests and increasing number of vehicles are adding to pollution level. People can go to any extent to fulfill their wishes and Shimla is overburdened with population
R.L. Chauhan (73) Retired Officer, Shimla
Moral values have gone down. Earlier, Rs. 10 were enough for a family during the British regime but now people are in a mad race for money and other materialistic things
-Devi Ram (83) Senior Citizen, Kasumpti
People are upset over the changes witnessed here after independence of the country. Locals and Britishers were particular about cleanliness and discipline but these traits are now missing
-P.N. Sharma Senior Citizen, Shimla
Everything in Shimla has changed that has no place for honest people. As a result, I shifted to my native place in Theog 15 years ago after spending seven decades in the Queen of Hills
-Sita Ram Verma (83) Senior Citizen, Theog
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