Page 116 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

114  DELHI & THE NOR TH

1 Shimla lady in the late 19th century from
this spot by a Maharaja of Patiala
A popular hill station in North India, Shimla’s spectacular (see p106). Nearby are the timber-
location, thickly forested slopes and invigorating climate framed Post Office, the Town Hall
have attracted countless visitors since the small village and the jewel-like Gaiety Theatre,
was discovered by Captain Charles Kennedy in the early opened in 1887, and still a popular
venue for amateur dramatics; the
19th century. In 1864, it became the summer headquarters theatre has recently been restored
of the British government in India. Today it is the fast- to its Victorian glory. A favoured
growing capital of Himachal Pradesh. Though many pastime for both local residents
of the surrounding spurs and forests are now covered and visitors is to stroll along
with concrete buildings, Shimla still retains much of The Mall, from Scandal Point
to Combermere Bridge. Further
its colonial charm.
ahead on this stretch lies the
mock-Tudor Clarkes Hotel.
= Lower Bazaar
Shops: Open Mon–Sat.
Below the central section of
The Mall is the Lower Bazaar,
which Kipling once referred
to as “that crowded rabbit
warren catering to the native
population of Shimla”. Offering
the option of cheaper wares
and less fashionable hostelries
and eating places, it remains
the poor man’s Mall. Lower still
is the Ganj, a congested bazaar,
Christ Church and the Library on the Ridge where the town’s wholesale
trade in groceries takes place.
P The Ridge = The Mall This, more than any other part
N of The Mall. Shops: Open Mon–Sat. No vehicles of town, retains a flavour of
A popular promenade and the permitted in the core shopping area. times gone by. Customers
centre of Shimla’s busy social This 7-km (4-mile) long mingle in crowded lanes
and cultural scene, the Ridge, thoroughfare, running from redolent with the aroma of
situated at a height of 2,230 m Boileauganj in the west to the many spices on display.
(7,316 ft), is an open stretch of Chhota Shimla in the southeast,
land on the western shoulder demarcates the original limits of E State Museum
of Jakhu Hill. From here, the the town. The central section of Chaura Maidan. Tel (0177) 280 5044.
snowcapped peaks of the The Mall, flanked by rows of half- Open Tue–Sun. Closed public hols.
Himalayan Range stretch in an timbered buildings, has always ^ &
arc across the northern horizon. been, and still remains, its most The State Museum, housed in
Ceremonial parades and official fashionable area with a profusion a restored and expanded Raj
state functions are also held here. of restaurants, bars and upmarket building called Inverarm, was
shops. The Mall’s highest spot, opened to the public in 1974. It
R Christ Church Scandal Point, is marked by a has, since then, built up a fairly
Open daily. 5 8am, 11am Sun. statue of Lala Lajpat Rai, the good collection of almost 10,000
Contact caretaker if church is closed. famous freedom fighter. The so- artifacts from various parts of
Dominating the eastern end called “scandal” may refer to the Himachal Pradesh. The exhibits,
of the Ridge is the Gothic reputed abduction of an English displayed in 15 galleries, include
Christ Church, a prominent
landmark. Constructed in
1846, it was one of the first
churches built in North India.
Its fine stained-glass windows
and impressive organ were
acquired in the 19th century.
The now-absent fresco around
the chancel window was
designed by Lockwood
Kipling, Rudyard Kipling’s
father. Shimla’s mock-Tudor
Library is nearby. The interior of the Gaiety Theatre, a focal point of Shimla’s cultural life
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p695 and p707

114-115_EW_India.indd 114 26/04/17 11:43 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm