?Shimla Himachal Pradesh • India
Shimla
Coordinates: 31°06′40″N 77°09′14″E / 31.111, 77.154
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	25 km² (10 sq mi) • 2,130 m (6,988 ft)
District(s)	Shimla
Population • Density	163,000[1] (2001) • 120 /km² (311 /sq mi)
Municipal Commissioner	Shekhar Gupta
Mayor	Narendra Kataria
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • UN/LOCODE • Vehicle	• 171 0xx • +0177 • INSHI • HP-03, HP-51

Coordinates: 31°06′40″N 77°09′14″E / 31.111, 77.154

Shimla pronunciation (help·info) [ʃɪmla] (Hindi: शिमला), originally called Simla, is a city in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh ( Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ pronounced) is a state in the India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Indian Standard Time ( IST) is the time observed throughout India and Sri Lanka, with a Time offset of UTC+530. UTC+530 is the Timezone for Indian Standard Time Sri Lanka Time The geography of India is diverse with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts plains rainforests hills and plateaus The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. To help compare different Orders of magnitude and geographical regions we list here areas between 100 km² and 1000 km² A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Shimla district lies between the Longitude 7700" and 7819" east and Latitude 30 In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Shekhar Gupta is a popular Indian Journalist who anchors the famous "Walk the Talk" segment aired on NDTV 24x7. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government A Postal Index Number or PIN or Pincode is the post office numbering or Post code system used by India Post the Indian Postal For the past decade or so telecommunication activities have gained momentum in India UN/LOCODE, the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations, is a geographic coding scheme developed and maintained by United Nations Economic Commission KA-19-P-8488jpg|thumb|270px|Close up of a licence plate used in Mangalore, Karnataka. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA is a system of phonetic notation based on the Latin alphabet, devised by the International Phonetic Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country India is a union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. Himachal Pradesh ( Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ pronounced) is a state in the It is also the capital of the state and a municipal corporation within the Shimla district^[1]. A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including (but not necessarily limited to cities, counties, Towns Shimla district lies between the Longitude 7700" and 7819" east and Latitude 30 In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India. For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills" (a term coined by the British). Located in north-west Himalayas at an altitude of 2,130 metres (6,988 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit This article is about the tree For other uses of the term "pine" see Pine (disambiguation. Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose" and dendron, "tree" is a genus of flowering plants in the family The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of about 400 species of Trees and Shrubs in the Genus Quercus (from Latin The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture reminiscent of the colonial era. The Gothic Revival is an architectural movement which began Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes in India^[2]. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kalka ( Hindi: कालका is a city and a Municipal committee in Panchkula district A narrow gauge railway (or narrow gauge railroad) is a Railway that has a Track gauge narrower than the of Standard gauge railways Shimla is approximately 115 km (71. 4 miles) from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 365 km (226. Chandigarh ( ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, चंडीगढ़) also called The City Beautiful 8 miles) from New Delhi, the national capital. New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali. A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Kali redirects here See Kali (disambiguation for other uses Not to be confused with Kali (demon, the personification of Kali Yuga ^[3]

History

Shimla at Night-View from the Ridge

Shimla was discovered by the British in 1819 after the Gurkha War. The Gurkha War ( 1814 – 1816) sometimes called the Gorkha War or the Anglo-Nepalese War, was fought between Nepal and the British At that time it was known for the temple of Hindu Goddess Shyamala Devi. Scottish civil servant Charles Pratt Kennedy built the first British summer home in the town in 1822. Charles Pratt Kennedy (died 1875 was an officer in the Bengal Artillery (later Royal Artillery) from 1808 to 1865 Year 1822 (MDCCCXXII was a Common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting on Sunday of the Shimla, or Simla as it was called until recently, had already caught the eye of Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835. Lord William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck (14 September 1774 &ndash 17 June 1839 was a British statesman who served as Governor-General of India from 1828 to 1835 The year 1828 ( MDCCCXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap Year 1835 ( MDCCCXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common In a letter to Colonel Churchill in 1832 he wrote^[4]

The bridge connecting Shimla with Minor Shimla, erected in 1829 by Lord Combermere, Shimla, 1850s

By the latter half of the 19th century the town had become the summer capital of the British Raj^[5]. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar For usage see British rule in India British Raj ( rāj, lit "reign" in Hindustani) primarily refers to the British British soldiers, merchants, and civil servants moved here each year to escape from the heat during summer in the Indo-Gangetic plain. The Indo-Gangetic Plain also known as the Northern plains and the North Indian River Plain is a large and fertile plain encompassing most of northern and eastern India, The Kalka-Shimla railway line, constructed in 1906, added to its accessibility and popularity. The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow gauge Railway in North-West India travelling along a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting The railway route, touted as an engineering feat, came to be known as the "British Jewel of the Orient"^[5]. In addition, Shimla was also the capital of the undivided state of Punjab in 1871 and remained so until the construction of the new city of Chandigarh (the present-day capital of Punjab). Punjab (ਪੰਜਾਬ पंजाब pəɲdʒaːb is a state in northwest India. Chandigarh ( ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, चंडीगढ़) also called The City Beautiful Upon the formation of the state of Himachal Pradesh in 1971, Shimla was named its capital. Himachal Pradesh ( Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ pronounced) is a state in the Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Pre-independence structures still dot Shimla; buildings such as the Viceregal lodge, Auckland House, Gorton Castle, Peterhoff house, and Gaiety Theatre are reminders of British rule in India. ^[6][1]

Geography

Passenger train on the Kalka-Shimla Railway route

Shimla is located in the north-western ranges of the Himalayas. The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow gauge Railway in North-West India travelling along a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla At an average altitude of 2397. 59 meters (7866. 10 feet) above mean sea level, the city is spread on a ridge and its seven spurs. Mean sea level (MSL is the average (mean height of the Sea, with reference to a suitable reference surface A ridge is a geological feature that features a continuous elevational crest for some distance A spur is a subsidiary summit of a Mountain. By definition spurs have low Topographic prominence, as they are lower than their parent summit and are closely connected The city stretches nearly 9. 2 km from east to west^[7]. The highest point in Shimla, at 2454 meters (8051 feet), is the Jakhoo hill. Shimla is a Zone IV (High Damage Risk Zone) per the Earthquake hazard zoning of India. The Indian subcontinent had a long history of devastating Earthquakes The major reason for the high frequency and intensity of the earthquakes is that India continues to drive into Weak construction techniques and increasing population pose a serious threat to the already earthquake prone region^[8][9]. There are no bodies of water near the main city and the closest river, Sutlej, is about 21 km (13 miles) away^[10]. The Sutlej River (alternatively spelled as Satluj River (ਸਤਲੁਜ शतद्रु or सुतुद्री, ستلج and सतलुज is the longest Other rivers that flow through the Shimla district, although further from the city, are Giri, and Pabbar (both are tributaries of Yamuna). For the goddess of the river who is sometimes called Yamuna see Yami The Yamuna (Sanskrit यमुना The green belt in Shimla planning area is spread over 414 hectares (1023 acres)^[5]. Explanation The hectare is commonly used in most countries around the world especially in domains concerned with land planning and management such as Agriculture, The acre is a unit of Area in a number of different systems including the imperial and U The main forests in and around the city are that of pine, deodar, oak and rhododendron^[11]. This article is about the tree For other uses of the term "pine" see Pine (disambiguation. Cedrus deodara (Deodar Cedar Himalayan Cedar or Deodar Hindi, Sanskrit: देवदार devadāru; Chinese: 雪松 The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of about 400 species of Trees and Shrubs in the Genus Quercus (from Latin Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose" and dendron, "tree" is a genus of flowering plants in the family Environmental degradation due to the increasing number of tourists every year without the infrastructure to support them has resulted in Shimla losing its popular appeal as an ecotourism spot^[12]. Ecotourism, also known as ecological tourism, is a form of Tourism that appeals to ecologically and socially conscious individuals Another rising concern in the region are the frequent number of landslides that often take place after heavy rains^[8][13]. A landslide is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement such as rock falls deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows which can occur

The climate in Shimla is predominantly cold during winters, and moderately warm during summers. The temperatures range from 3. 95 °C (39. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. 11 °F) to 32. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 95 °C (91. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. 31 °F) over the year. Fahrenheit is a temperature scale named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686–1736 a German Physicist who proposed it in 1724 ^[14] The average temperature during summer is between 14 °C and 20 °C, and between -7 °C and 10 °C in winter. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Monthly precipitation varies between 24 mm in November to 415 mm in July. In Meteorology, precipitation (also known as one class of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric It is typically around 45 mm per month during winter and spring and around 115 mm in June as the monsoon approaches. A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months The average total annual precipitation is 1520 mm (62 inches). Snowfall in the region, which usually took place in the month of December has lately (over the last fifteen years) been happening in January or early February every year. Events in December Union Day of Romania (1 December World AIDS Day ( December 1) National Day of ^[15]

Economy

Employment is largely driven by the government and tourism^[16]. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. Being the administrative capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh, the city houses several central and state government offices. In Business, administration consists of the performance or management of business operations and thus the making or implementing of major decisions Himachal Pradesh ( Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ pronounced) is a state in the Government jobs account for almost half (47%) of the working population. Direct hospitality industry personnel such as tour guides, hotel and restaurant employees, etc. , are few (10%) but high-profile. Individual crafts and small scale industries, such as tourist souvenir production and horticultural produce processing, comprise most of the remainder.

Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital at Shimla

In addition to being the local hub of transportation and trade, Shimla is the area's healthcare center, hosting a medical college and four major hospitals:^[17] the Indira Gandhi Hospital (formerly known as Snowden Hospital,) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital (formerly called Ripon Hospital,) Kamala Nehru Hospital, and Indus Hospital. Health care is the prevention treatment and management of illness and the preservation of mental health through the services offered by the medical, Nursing The city's development plan aims make Shimla an attractive health tourism spot^[16]. Medical tourism (also called medical travel, health tourism or global healthcare is a term initially coined by travel agencies and the Mass media

Civic administration

Town Hall as seen from the Ridge

The administrative responsibilities of the city of Shimla and the surrounding planning areas of Dhalli, Tutu, and New Shimla reside with the Shimla Municipal corporation. The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. Established in 1851, the Shimla municipal corporation is an elected body comprising 27 councilors 3 of which are nominated by the government of Himachal Pradesh^[7]. A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including (but not necessarily limited to cities, counties, Towns Himachal Pradesh ( Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ pronounced) is a state in the The nominations are based on prominence in the fields of social service, academics and other activities. 33% seats are reserved for women. The elections take place every five years and the mayor and deputy mayor are elected by and amongst the councilors themselves. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government As of June 2008, the two major political parties are the Indian National Congress (in Opposition) and BJP (in power)^[18]. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Indian National Congress-I (also known as the Congress Party and abbreviated INC) is a major Political party in India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP (भारतीय जनता पार्टी, Translation: Indian People's Party) founded in 1980 is a major Political The administrative head of the corporation is the commissioner who is appointed by the state government.

The city contributes one seat to the state assembly (Vidhan Sabha), and one seat to the lower house of parliament (Lok Sabha)^[19]. The Vidhan Sabha also known as Legislative Assembly is the lower house of state legislature in India. The Lok Sabha (also titled the House of the People, by the Constitution) is the directly elected Lower house of the Parliament of India Law and order in the city is collectively maintained by the Police department, Vigilance Department, Enforcement directorate, Forensics, Fire department, department of prisons, and Home Guard department. There are five police stations and three fire stations in Shimla^[20]. The Superintendent of Police, Shimla heads the police department. Superintendent ( Supt) often shortened to "Super" is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations The First Armed Police Battalion, one of the four armed police battalions in the state, is also available for assistance to the local police for assistance^[21]. There are eleven courts in the district including a fast-track court^[22]

Demographics

Church on the Ridge

Shimla city consists of the Shimla municipal corporation and Shimla planning areas(SPA). The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. The SPAs are Dhalli, Tutu, and New Shimla urban agglomerations. In the study of human settlements an agglomeration is an extended City or Town area comprising the built-up area of a central place ( usually a Municipality As per the 2001 India Census^[23], the city has a population of 1,42,161 spread over an area of 19. 55 sq km^[7]. A floating population of 75,000 is attributed to service industries such as tourism^[7]. The largest demographic, 55%, is 16-45 years of age. A further 28% of the population are younger than 15 years. The low sex ratio - 930 girls for every 1000 boys in 2001^[24] - is cause for concern, even though it is not atypical of the region. In Anthropology and Demography, the human sex ratio is the Sex ratio for Homo sapiens (i

The unemployment rate in the city has come down from 36% in 1992 to 22. 6% in 2006. This drop is attributed to recent industrialization, the growth of service industries, and knowledge development^[25]. 84% of the population of Shimla city is literate, compared to 80% in Shimla district and 77% in the entire state^[26]. The majority of Shimla's population consists of natives of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh ( Hindi: हिमाचल प्रदेश Punjabi: ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ pronounced) is a state in the A large minority is composed of Partition-era migrants from Pakistan. The Partition of India was the partition of the British Indian Empire which led to the creation on August 14, 1947 and August 15, Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Hindi, Punjabi and Pahari are the main languages. Hindi ( Devanāgarī: hi [[wiktहिन्दी हिन्दी]] or hi [[wiktहिंदी हिंदी]] IAST:, IPA:) is Punjabi may refer to The Punjabi language of Pakistan and India Punjabi grammar List of Punjabi Pahari (or Pahaari) is a general terms for a range of dialects spoken across the Himalayan range not limited to a single country in the subcontinent The major religion is Hinduism, followed by Sikhism. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Other religious groups include Christians and Tibetan Buddhists. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including

Culture

A folk celebration in Shimla

Stained Glass windows at St. For the Blackford Oakes novel see Stained Glass (novel The term stained glass refers either to the material of coloured Glass or to the art Michael's Catholic Church (1850) Shimla.

The people of Shimla are informally called Shimlaites. With largely cosmopolitan crowds, a variety of festivals are celebrated here. The Shimla Summer Festival, held every year during peak tourist season, ^[27], and lasting 3-4 days, is celebrated on the ridge. The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. The highlights of this event include performances by popular singers from all over the country. ^[28] Shimla has a number of places to visit. Local hangouts like the mall road and ridge are in the heart of the city. Mall Road is the Main street in Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. Most of the heritage buildings in the city are preserved in their original tudorbethan architecture. The Viceregal lodge which houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, and Wildflower hall that is now a luxury hotel are some of the famous ones. The Indian Institute of Advanced Study is a prestigious research institute based in Shimla, India. A collection of paintings, jewellery and textiles of the region can be found at the State Museum (built in 1974). Further out from the city is the Naldehra nine-hole golf course, the oldest of its kind in India^[29]. Kufri is a ski resort (winter only) located 19 kilometres (11. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kufri is a tiny hill station in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh state in India 8 mi) from the main city. Lakkar Bazaar, a market extending off the ridge, is famous for souvenirs and crafts made of wood. The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. Tatta Pani, 55 kilometres (34. 2 mi) from the main city, is the name of hot sulphur springs that are believed to have medicinal value located on the banks of river Satluj. Sulfur or sulphur (ˈsʌlfɚ see spelling below) is the Chemical element that has the Atomic number 16 The Sutlej River (alternatively spelled as Satluj River (ਸਤਲੁਜ शतद्रु or सुतुद्री, ستلج and सतलुज is the longest Shimla is also home to Asia's only natural ice skating rink^[30]. State and national level competitions are often held at this venue. The Shimla Ice Skating Club, which manages the rink, hosts a carnival every year in January, which includes a fancy dress competition and figure skating events. Due to effects of global warming and increasing urban development in and around Shimla, the number of sessions on ice every winter have been decreasing in the past few years.

Shimla has many temples and is often visited by devotees from nearby towns and cities. The Kali Bari temple, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali is near the mall. A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Kali redirects here See Kali (disambiguation for other uses Not to be confused with Kali (demon, the personification of Kali Yuga Jakhoo Temple, for the Hindu god Hanuman is located at the highest point in Shimla. Jakhoo Temple is a ancient temple in Shimla, deciated to Hindu deity Hanuman. Hanuman (हनुमत् sa-Latn '''Hanumat''' nominative singular sa हनुमान् sa-Latn ''Hanumān'' known also as ' Anjaneya' (son of Anjana is one of the Sankat Mochan, another Hanuman temple, is famous for the numerous monkeys that are always found in its vicinity. Hanuman (हनुमत् sa-Latn '''Hanumat''' nominative singular sa हनुमान् sa-Latn ''Hanumān'' known also as ' Anjaneya' (son of Anjana is one of the It is located on Shimla-Kalka Highway about 10 kilometres (6. 2 mi) from the city. The nearby temple of Tara Devi is a place for performing rituals and festivals. Other prominent places of worship include a Gurudwara near the bus terminus and a Church on the ridge. The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Famous people associated with Shimla include English author Rudyard Kipling, Indian film personalities Anupam Kher, Preity Zinta, Amrish Puri (who studied here), and Prem Chopra (brought up here), economist and former vice-president of World Bank Shahid Javed Burki, Satyananda Stokes who introduced apple in the region, writer Idries Shah, ornithologist Allan Octavian Hume (had his home here), and former general of Pakistan Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq who studied here. Joseph Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936 was an English Author and poet Anupam Kher (अनुपम खेर born March 7, 1954) is an actor in Hindi films in India. Preity Zinta (प्रीति ज़िंटा priːt̪ɪ zɪɳʈaː born January 31 1975 is an Indian Film actress. Amrish Lal Puri ( Hindi: अमरीश पुरी Urdu: اَمریش پُری June 22, 1932 – January 12, 2005) Prem Chopra ( Devanagari: प्रेम चोपड़ा is an actor in Hindi and Punjabi films The World Bank is an internationally supported Bank that provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development programs (e Shahid Javed Burki ( Urdu: شاہد جاوید برکی) is a professional economist who has served as Finance Minister of Pakistan and as a Vice President Satyananda Stokes ( 16 August 1882 - 14 May 1946) was an American who moved to India and adopted it as his own country Idries Abutahir Shah ( 16 June, 1924 &ndash 23 November, 1996) ( ادریس شاه) also known as Idris Shah, né Ornithology (from Greek ὄρνις ὄρνιθος ornis, ornithos, "bird" and λόγος logos, "knowledge" is the branch of Allan Octavian Hume ( June 6, 1829 - July 31, 1912) son of Joseph Hume was a Civil servant in British governed India Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq ( Arabic: محمد ضياء الحق) (b Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan since 2004 also did his postgraduate studies from Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla. Hamid Karzai ( حامد کرزي, حامد کرزي) (born 24 December 1957) is the current President of Afghanistan, since December Afghanistan has only intermittently been a Republic - between 1973-1992 and from 2001 onwards - at other times being governed by a variety of kings Emirs Introduction Established in 1970 Himachal Pradesh University is a Public university in Shimla, India. Prominent artist Sanat Kumar Chatterjee (www. sanat. in), whose name figures in Guinness Book of World Records for making longest painting on silk, lives in Shimla.

Education

Public library on the Ridge

The city has 14 anganwadis and 63 primary schools^[7]. The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. Anganwadi is a government sponsored child-care and mother-care center in India. There are many schools from the British era. Some of the popular schools in the city are: Bishop Cotton School, Chapslee School, Sacred Heart Convent, Dhalli, Shimla, Loreto Convent,Tara Hall, Shimla, St Edward's School, Hainault Public School, DAV Public School, Convent of Jesus and Mary, Auckland House, Dayanand Public School and Himalayan Internation School at Chharabra. General The Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System, also familiarly known as the D Chharabra is a small village situated approximately 8250 feet (2514 m above sea level 13 km from Shimla, India, on National Highway 22 (Hindustan-Tibet Road Most schools are either affiliated to the CISCE council or the CBSE board. The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (often abbreviated as CISCE) is a private non-governmental board of School Education in India

The medical institutes in Shimla are Indira Gandhi Medical College and Dental college. St. Bedes and Rajkiya Kanya MahaVidayaliya (RKMV) are girls-only colleges. Government College Sanjauli, and Government College Chaura Maidan are also located in the city. The Indian Institute of Advanced Study, housed in the Viceregal Lodge, is a residential center for research in Humanities, Indian culture, religion, and social and natural sciences. The Indian Institute of Advanced Study is a prestigious research institute based in Shimla, India. The Himachal Pradesh University is also based in Shimla. Introduction Established in 1970 Himachal Pradesh University is a Public university in Shimla, India. UIIT (University Institute of Information Technology), a premier institute to provide technical education in the state is located here. Shimla has two state libraries with a collection of over 47,000 old books divided between them. The one at Gandhi Bhavan in the University has over 40,000 books and the other library, also a heritage building on the ridge, has 7000. ^[31]. Other institutes of higher education and research located in Shimla are the Central Potato Research Institute, a member of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and [[NAAA^[32]|National Academy of Audit and Accounts]] for training of officers of the Indian Audit and Accounts services (IA&AS). Indian Council of Agricultural Research ( ICAR) New Delhi, India is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education

Places Of Interest

A signboard that reads: "Caution: Feeding monkeys and other stray animals in public places is a punishable offence. Violators may be fined up to 500 rupees. "

The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. Mall Road is the Main street in Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall.

Christ Church: Situated on the Ridge, Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. The Ridge road is a large open space located in the heart of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.

Jakhu Hill: 2 km from Shimla, at a height of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by all visitors.

Shimla State Museum: The Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to project hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.

Indian Institute of Advanced Study: This institute is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, which was built in 1884-88 during the British times. The Indian Institute of Advanced Study is a prestigious research institute based in Shimla, India. It has spacious gardens and is ringed by beautiful pine trees. All is calm and serene just the right atmosphere for a student of literature or politics.

Summer Hill: Situated at a distance of 5 km from the Ridge is the lovely township of Summer Hill at a height of 6,500 ft on the Shimla-Kalka railway line. Summer Hill is a suburb of Shimla, the state capital of Himachal Pradesh at a height of 2123 meters. Mahatma Gandhi lived in these quiet surroundings during his visits to Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University is situated here.

Annandale: Developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2-4 km from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and the princely game of polo.

The Annandale polo field

Tara Devi: 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides. At a height of 6,070 ft, Tara Devi is an ideal place for a person wanting peace and some rest.

Sankat Mochan: A popular Hanuman temple is located here. We get an excellent view of Shimla from the temple. It can be reached by car or on foot.

Junga: Junga is a Tehsil in the picturesque district of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Junga is a Tehsil in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Its original name (with diacritics) is Jūnga. Located at a distance of 26 km from Shimla this place is known for a palace and museum of erstwhile Junga Princely state and its scenic beauty and the numerous easy to hard treks it offers. Junga is surrounded by green hills with snow capped mountains and has a forest cover of Kail, Deodar, Pine, cedar, Oak Rhododendro, Cheel, Ban and other trees.

The princely state of Junga also known as Keonthal Estate was formed before 1800 AD. Raja Veer Vikram Sen, is the current Raja of Keonthal since the 13th of December 2002.

Junga is designed for Eco Adventure tourists. Junga has couple of resorts designed for maximum staying comfort and with all facilities and luxuries but the essence has been to touch the natural space as little as possible. Easy accessibility and many other attractions makes it a popular eco-adventure destination.

Mashobra: 13 km away from Shimla, Mashobra has several excellent picnic spots. Mashobra is a town in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Mashobra is the site of the annual Sipi fair in June. The nearest rest house is at Craignano which is 3 km from Mashobra, and is a beautiful holiday resort.

Kufri

Skiing in Kufri

16 km from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft, Kufri is the winter sports capital. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kufri is a tiny hill station in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh state in India During winter, visitors have the facility for skiing. The skiing season is at its best during January and February. Equipment for sking is available from HPTDC winter sports club at Kufri. Apart from skiing, Kufri is a lovely picnic spot with a beautiful view of the hills around and the snowy peaks. There is also a zoo that delights children.

Naldehra
Naldehra: 22 km from Shimla and surrounded by beautiful deodar trees. Naldehra has a well kept nine-hole golf-course. It is a lovely, popular picnic spot. The annual Sipi fair in June is held in Naldehra. Tatapani
Another tourist place where you can find the sulphur springs which are found near the Tatapani mandir(holy temple)

Chail: Chail is a little mountainous heaven 45 km from Shimla. Chail is a place in Himachal Pradesh, India. General Location - Himachal Pradesh. It was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before Independence. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Patiala ( Punjabi: ਪਟਿਆਲਾ is a city in the Punjab state of India. The forests near Chail have many species of birds and deer. Chail is known for its cricket pitch, which is the highest cricket ground in the world.

Arki: 40 km away from Shimla, Arki is a town and a Nagar panchayat in Solan district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. Arki may refer to Arki India: a town in Himachal Pradesh India Arki Greece See also The town is notable for its fort built in late 18th century when Arki was the capital of the erstwhile hill state of Baghal. The Arki Fort is a converted hotel and lovely to visit.

Transport

The Shimla Railway Station

Local transport in Shimla is by bus or private vehicles. Buses ply frequently on the circular road surrounding the city center. Tourist taxis are also an option for out of town trips. Locals typically traverse the city on foot. Private vehicles are prohibited on the mall, ridge, and nearby markets. Due to narrow roads and steep slopes, the auto rickshaws common in other Indian cities are largely absent. An auto rickshaw or tuk tuk ( auto autorick or rickshaw in popular parlance is a Motor vehicle that is one of the chief

Shimla is well-connected by road and rail. The National Highway NH-22 connects Shimla to the nearest big city of Chandigarh. Chandigarh ( ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, चंडीगढ़) also called The City Beautiful The scenic Kalka Shimla Railway, a narrow gauge track, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the steepest rise in altitude in a distance of 96 km^[33]. The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow gauge Railway in North-West India travelling along a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla A narrow gauge railway (or narrow gauge railroad) is a Railway that has a Track gauge narrower than the of Standard gauge railways Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous U Kalka, the plains rail terminus, has daily departures to major Indian cities. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Kalka ( Hindi: कालका is a city and a Municipal committee in Panchkula district The Indo-Gangetic Plain also known as the Northern plains and the North Indian River Plain is a large and fertile plain encompassing most of northern and eastern India, Flights from the airport at Jubbarhatti (12 km away)^[34] connect Shimla to Delhi. Delhi (दिल्ली ਦਿੱਲੀ دلی d̪ɪlːiː sometimes referred to as Dilli) is the second largest metropolis of India, with a population

References

External links

• Shimla travel guide from Wikitravel