Shimla the capital of Himachal Pradesh has a glorious past and a lot of colonial history attached to it. Himachal Pradesh holiday packages conducted by Swan Tours India give you Insight into Shimla’s past and its most popular tourist attractions, below are some interesting facts on Shimla’s colonial past.
The year 1903 began with a proclamation of the accession and coronation of King Edward VII, made at the Delhi Durbar with all the trappings of Imperial grandeur. It was at this time that Shimla, became really glamorous as the summer capital of an Imperial Power. The Mall, the fashionable shopping centre, took on the look of the Pall Mall and Regency Row in London. Wives of civil and army officers devised crests and imposing uniforms for their rickshaw Pullers, the rickshaws, themselves conforming to the colours and patterns of the crests. The Mall closed to all, but a handful of Indians from top families of the aristocracy, was a riot of colour of the rickshaws and their pullers, coupled with the elegant dresses of their occupants. To the fairyland atmosphere of the evening lights, was added the fragrance of expensive perfumes from Coty, Chanel or other deluxe salons of Bond Street and London’s Mayfair.
On Sunday morning, the Viceroy rode in his magnificent equipage, followed by the Vicerine and aides with their wives making up the lead each in separate rickshaws. The magnificent procession escorted by mounted Vicerory’s guards in liveried splendor of scarlet and gold then moved from the Viceregal Lodge to the elegant and beautiful church on the Ridge overlooking the Mall. As it moved slowly up the incline from Scandal Point crossing, the desired effect of impressing the people with the might, magnificence and majesty of the Empire was achieved among the Sunday morning worshippers and other extraneous elements in the crowd. In the evening, tea dances at Davico’s and Wenger’s amused the elite till it was the time to go to theatre, followed by more dancing at the Davico’s Ball Room which had been built specially with spring beneath the paneled flooring so that milady felt no fatigue even if the dance went on to the wee hours of the morning.
Life was full, life was good, and Curzon accepted a second term of office. He had not reckoned for his controversy with Lord Kitchener which made life sour for him. After his brilliant achievements in Sudan, Lord Kitchener was sent as Commander-in-Chief to India. One of his first act was to build himself a magnificent residence in Shimla, In the imposing heights of Kufri a long drive-way leads to the elegant Georgian, red-roofed mansion peeping from behind the pines, surrounded by extensive lawns and gardens—this is Wild Flower Hall where Lord Kitchener held his special levee to rival that of the Viceroy. From the moment of his arrival a controversy between the two broke out over the administrative control of the army.
For more information on Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and its tourist attractions contact Swan Tours, one of the leading travel agents India.
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