Himachal Pradesh
Geographical
Information About Himachal Pradesh
Location:
Punjab on the west,
Uttar Pradesh on the southeast, China on the east,
Haryana on the southeast, and Jammu and Kashmir on North
border the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It extends
from the latitudes 30°22’40” North to 33°12’40” North and
longitudes 75°45' 55" East to 79°04' 20"
Physical Features:
The entire region of
Himachal Pradesh is hilly with theAltitude ranging from
350 meters to 7000 meters abovesea level. Forming a
part of the Punjab Himalayas, the altitude increases from
west to east and from south to north. Geographically,
Himachal Pradesh can be divided into three distinct
regions, the Shivalik or outer Himalayas, middle
Himalayas or inner Himalayas, and greater Himalayas or
the alpine zone.
The lower Himalayas
include the districts of Hamirpur, Kangra, Una, Bilaspur, and the lower
parts of Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi
commonly known as the Shivalik Hills.The altitude in this
region ranges from 350 meters to 1,500 meters.
The middle Himalayas
comprise the region between the altitudes of 1,500
meters and 4,500 meters. The districts under this
region are parts of Sirmaur, Mandi, and the upper parts of Kangra, Shimla, and
Chamba. The greater Himalayas
or the alpine zone is at analtitude of 4,500
meters and above. The region is cut across by the river Sutlej
and comprises the Kinnaur and Pangi tehsils of
Chamba, and some part of Lahaul and Spiti.
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| View of the radio tower - Summer Hill - Shimla |
Climate:
The climate of Himachal Pradesh, depending
on the altitude, varies at
different places from semi tropical to semi arctic. Winters
(October to February) are very severe and heavy
snowfall is recorded during this
Season. April to June
is delightful and comfortable at the higher altitudes,
though on the lower hills, this season can have more
humidity than usual. July to September is the time
for rainfall and the entire region becomes green
and fresh with streams swelling and Springs replenished.
Flora and Fauna:
Out of the total area
of Himachal Pradesh, 63.8% is under forest cover. The
major flora of the state include deodar (Cedar), kail, chil,
spur, oak, etc. Due to its unique geographical location
and divergent climatic conditions, the state has a wide
variety of fauna species available. According to some
estimates, there are around 359 species of mammals,
1,200 species of birds, and more than 20,000 species of
insects in the state. To save the unique wildlife of the
state from extinction, the government has
established two national parks and a few wildlife sanctuaries in
the state.
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| View Of the High Court - Shimla |
CHRIST CHURCH
As the Christ Church in Shimla turns
150 years old, in September 1993, the whole year is earmarked for
celebrations-special services and seminars, lots of literature and an overall
revival. What better time to visit this graceful and well-proportioned
landmark?
We spent a whole day hanging about the
Shimla ridge in the hope of getting a good shot of Christ Church. Not just an
ordinary head and shoulders shot but a special one that would merit a delighted
gasp of surprise from the viewer. It didn’t seem likely, though. Right through
the day, banks of cloud were blocking out the sun and when the sky finally
cleared, there was but half an hour to go before sunset. Let’s try a
silhouette, suggested someone. As on cue, we skirted the church compound and
bounded up the long flight of steps at the back till we came level with the
base of the spire. With the setting sun behind the spire it could have been an
impressive view but for the buildup of electric cables in the foreground.
Disappointed, we walked back to the ridge and had all but left for out hotel
when suddenly the western horizon burst into flame and for one brief, magic
moment, Christ Church was plated in copper. We got our shot.
For generations now, the graceful, well
proportioned Christ Church has been perhaps the best known landmark in Shimla.
It has appeared again and again in books and brochures and on picture
postcards. It needs no caption, even as Shimla needs no introduction. Down the
years, Christ Church has been many things to many people, from the halcyon days
of the Raj to the present time. Naturally it was designed as a place of worship
and remains such to this day, despite the fact that the congregation has
dwindled in number and no longer includes peers and dyed in the wool, five star
generals, all very British and all very proper. With a young but highly
motivated chaplain-Sunil Caleb, to lead them, the devout still worship at this
church, not only on Sundays but on other days as well. The door is open right
through the daylight hours, with an old caretaker from Kinnaur, Devi Ram by
name, in regular attendance. Being the 150th year of its existence, 9th
September 93 to 8th September 94 has been earmarked as a time for celebration
and revival, with special services and seminars and the publication of relevant
literature, all under the enthusiastic leadership of Chaplain Caleb.
Church services first began in Shimla
in 1836 and the house of worship was no more than an old, thatched building on
the Mall, just below the present GPO. But this church was in a sorry state,
apart from being too small to hold ht e400-strong church going population of
Shimla. In 1844 it was decided that a new church be built on a different site.
A building Committee was formed and Major Boileau (after whom the locality of
Boileaugunje has been named) designated architect. The cornerstone of Christ
Church was laid on 9th September 1844 and the building opened for divine
service two years later. But it constructed only in 1857, taking nearly
thirteen years to build and coasting between Rs.40 and 50,000/-
From the very start the going was
rough. The Building Committee applied to the Bishop of Calcutta for permission
to build a new church accommodating about 500 people and asking for aid. But
the Supreme Government was unwilling to help. A letter from Lord Ellenborough
stated Shimla is the last place in India at which it is necessary for the
government to be put at the expense of building a church. The amount that
finally came through as aid was a meager Rs.5,000/-, the rest being raise through
loans and voluntary funds.
The site of the new church was part of
the old Ballyhack Estate, purchased for Rs.100/- by the Committee. The quarry
on the state was expected to provide enough stone for the entire building but
it is served only the foundations. With the need for bricks and mortar, the
building costs were pushed up. To cut down expenses, some material from the old
church was also used. For instance, the organ loft is really the gallery from
the old church. Parison labour was used to clear and level the site.
Services started long before the church
was complete and this raised a fresh crop of problems. The church was like a
shell, without pews. People brought their own chairs or sat on benches.
Crinolines were in vogue at the time. But one Sunday the chaplain commented on
the room taken up by crinolines and lo and behold, the following Sunday all the
ladies of the congregation turned up in riding habits! Indeed many people did
ride to church and some of the ladies preferred to be carried in dandies or
jhampanis as they were called. The church compound could boast of sheds for
both horses and jhampanis.
The struggle for funds continued right
through, as did the battle with snow and rain, of which Shimla has always
received a fair share. Come bad weather and the construction was stopped
forthwith. The attendance at church also dropped dismally. The elements seemed
to have reigned supreme well into the 20th century. Within the church compound,
towards the north lies a grave, the inscription on the headstone long since
obliterated. But parish records say it is the final resting place of one
Cecilia Winifred Soysa, who passed away on 4th January 1945 but could not be
taken to the cemetery at Sanjauli because of a heavy snowfall. A week later,
she had to be interred within the church compound.
But problems notwithstanding, the
structure that emerged was charming, within and without. Pews in polished
deodar and beautiful stained glass windows lent grace to the serene, well
ordered interior. The window to the east was erected in 1890, in memory of
Jilia Elizabeth Mathew, wife of Bishop Mathew, who was for many years organist
of this church. The fresco on the sanctuary wall was copied from the original
design by Lockwood Kipling (father of novelist Rudyard Kipling) by one of his
most gifted pupils from the Mayco College of Art, Lahore.
At one time the choir used to emerge
and vanish behind the curtain at the back of the organ. One morning, after a
sermon in which there had been repeated references to God’s house, a child in
the congregation asked his mother, What is God’s house? The church, dear came
the answer. There was a pause and then came the next question, loud and clear,
and is the bit behind the curtain God’s bathroom?
The choir continued to be select and
well trained. After the construction of the church was complete, a balance of
Rs.281/- was left over from the voluntary building fund and this amount was
deposited in a post office savings bank. The interest annually received was
spent on a prize for the best choir boy.
The church still has copies of the
Bible dating back to British times. One in Roman Urdu, titled Kitab-e-Muqaddas
(The Holy Book) is a vintage publication dated 1804. The hymn book goes back to
1906. There are several memorial tablets in brass along the walls. The floor
plan of the church has remained unchanged. The pews are as they were, and in
surprising good shape considering the years that have elapsed in between.
During the Raj, the front pews were reserved for the Viceroy, the C-in-C and
other dignitaries. Till the early years of the 20th century, it was considered
a social and moral duty to attend mid-day service. But then there were some who
went for reasons of their own. Sir. Edward Buck of Shimla Past and Present fame
has an interesting story to release. One day a pretty young thing came to
church with her mother. On the way she was heard gushing. Oh mother, wasn’t it
a wonderful service? Why wonderful dear? It seemed to me just as usual. Oh
mother, cried the girl, didn’t you notice? There were five ADCs!
Rudyard Kipling acted in a play A Scrap
of Paper at the Gaiety Theatre to raise funds for the church. The Kiplings
worshipped here, as did the Mountbattens. And novelist M.M.Kaye was baptized
under this roof. Weddings at Christ Church used to be a grand affair with
ushers in morning suits, lavender waistcoats and top hats, the porch and aisle
gaily carpeted, floral decorations all over and soul stirring music flowing
from the pipe organ…
British nationals still come to Shimla
because someone near and deer was either baptized or married here. Donations
still arrive from England. But the church is in need of restoration and the
present congregation of 120 strong cannot raise enough funds for the purpose.
Christ Church is an institution. To this day it holds services in both Hindi
and English, along with Sunday School and special services to mark Christmas,
Good Friday, Easter and Independence Day. The devout come from Chital Shimla,
Totu, Sough and Sanjauli to spend an hour or two in an atmosphere of peace that
passes all understanding.
District Map of
Shimla
The earliest known inhabitants of the
region were tribals called Dasas. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in
the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted suzerainty of
the Mauryan Empire, the Kushanas, the Guptas and Kanuaj rulers. During the
Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed
arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Ranjit Singh
annexed/subjugated many of the states. When the British came, they defeated
Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of
others. The situation more or less remained unchanged till 1947. After
Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh
was formed on 15th April, 1948. With the recognition of Punjab on 1st November,
1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. On
25th January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged State.
The State is bordered by Jammu &
Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttar
Pradesh on South-East and China on the East.
General
Location
Latitude 30o 22' 40" N to 33o 12'
40" N
Longitude 75o 45' 55" E to 79o 04'
20" E
Height (From mean sea Level) 350 meter to 6975
meter
Population [1991-Census] 5170877
persons
Urban 0.45 million persons
Rural 4.72 million persons
Geographical Area [1991] 55,673 sq. km
Density (per Sq. Km.) [1991] 93 Females per 1000 Males [1991] 976
Birth Rate (per 1000) [1996(P)]
23.0 Death Rate (per 1000) [1996(P)] 8.0
Average Rainfall 1469 mm
State Animal Musk Deer
State Bird Monal
State Language Hindi & Local
Dialects
Major Rivers Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Parbati
Major Lakes Renuka, Rewalsar, Khajjiar,
Dal, Beas Kund, Dasaur, Brighu, Prashar, Mani Mahesh, Chander Tal, Suraj Tal,
Kareri, Sreolsar, Gobind Sagar, Na
Simla was once part of the Nepalese
kingdom, and called Shyamala, another name for the goddess Kali, but Shimla
never gained any fame until it was first 'discovered' by the British in 1819.
Three years later, the first 'British' house was erected, and by 1864 Shimla
had become the summer capital of India. After the construction of the Kalka to
Simla railway line in 1903, Simla really boomed. Following independence, Simla
was initially the capital of the Punjab, then it became the capital of Himachal
Pradesh. Today, Simla is a lovely, sprawling town, set among spectacular, cool
hills, with plenty of crumbling colonial charm. It has very good facilities,
although accommodation, particularly in the high season, is expensive.
Simla was first discovered by the
British in 1819. It is located at an altitude of 2130 metres. It provides
superb panoramic sights of the valleys, and the lofty peaks of the great
Himalayan range, on both sides. Modern Simla is as enchanting as ever, with its
trails and forest walks, its malls and hotels, skating rinks. The Mall is
Simla's principal promenade and is best for leisurely walk.
Climate : Shimla is located
on the slopes of lower Himalayas. The altitude of Shimla from the sea level
makes it a very cool place. The temperature range is not very high and the
maximum temperature rarely crosses 25 degrees during summers. The summers are
marked by rainfalls. The nights of summers are cool and light warm cloths are
required during this time. Winter are cold and chilly winds from the upper
Himalayas makes the place really cold. Around Christmas or last week of
December Shimla gets snow. The snowfall during this time attracts many tourists
and accommodation can prove to be difficult. The Best season to visit Shimla is
between April and August. But the main season is between December and January.
It is better to avoid the rainy seasons.
Places To visit - Sights of Shimla
Himachal State
Museum& Library - This museum opens daily except on Mondays and public
holidays. It is located 2.5 kms west of the scandal point. The entry is free.
It has got a good collection of statues, coins, photos and other items from all
over the state as well as outside it. It has also got a library which houses
many historical books and manuscripts.
Viceregal Lodge
& Botanical Gardens - On the Observatory Hills is located Viceregal Lodge
which is called also called Rashtrapati Niwas. This magnificent building was
the residence of the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin. The palatial building was
the venue for many important decisions which changed fate of the sub-continent.
This lodge was completed in 1888. It is said that every brick for the building
was carried by mules. This is a six storey building and is surrounded by well
maintained gardens and lawns. A cafe is also there. The lodge has now been
converted into Institute of Advanced study. The lodge is further 2 kms from
state museum.
Himalayan Aviary - Close to the
Viceregal lodge is the Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park. This park
has very good collection of birds found in Himachal such as Himalayan monal,
pheasants, peafowl's and national bird of India, the peacock..
Christ Church
& St. Michael's Cathedral - In 1846-1857 was built the second
oldest church of Northern India. The Christ Church overlooks the ridge and is
one of the landmarks of Shimla. The clocks on Christ Church were added later
and none of them are functional now. The Church looks very beautiful with the
stained glasses fitted on the windows. The other church of Shimla is just below
the Central Telegraph Office and is Known as Michael's Cathedral.
Jakhu Temple - This temple is
dedicated to the monkey God Hanuman. The temple is located at an height of 2455
m and is the highest point of Shimla Ridge.
The Bazaars - The lower Bazaar
in Shimla is scene of Fanatic activities. Also known as the Subzi Mandi, the
place is a maze of twisting roads and winding paths. Both sides of the steep
lanes is covered by food stalls and other shops which include the dry fruit
shops, the garments shops, imported goods shop one can get practically anything
he can think of. Then comes the Mall one of the most famous places in Shimla.
This place is again full of showrooms and some big names also have their
showrooms here. A stroll in the evening on the mall has a pleasure of its own.
The Mall is surprisingly clean. Just beyond the Ridge is the Lakkar Baazar. As
the name indicates Lakkar baazar is market place for the wooden items. Here one
can purchase souvenirs and many decorative items which are very tastefully
carved.
Sarahan : Located in amidst
Deodar forests is Sarahan which was the ancient capital of the mighty Brusher.
The place provides some good opportunities for trekking and some spectacular
view of the Ranwin Village and the Bashal peak.
Rampur : This place is not
particularly important to spend a night but there are few things which must not
be missed. In the ancient times Rampur was on the trade route to Tibet. It was
also part of the Bushahr empire which spread till Kinnaur. This place has the
Padam Palace built in 1925. One can not enter the palace but can roam around
the well maintained lawns and gardens which are flanked by a Hindu temple. The
trail along the river is a place to be. The whole area is a maze of lanes,
shops and temple like Sri Sat Nahan temple. In the month of November a Fair
called the Lavi Fair is organised at Rampur.
Tattapani : This small
village is famous for the hot water sulphur springs. Unlike the springs in
Manikaran or Manali, these springs are not properly 'developed'. But their
setting is very beautiful. The village is very relaxed and peaceful.
Kufri : Some great
hiking, some sking, some beautiful scenes and a cool environment that's what
Kufri is all about. In the winters Kufri attracts ski loving people.
Chail : Chail is hikers
paradise. Chail was the summer capital of Maharaja of Patiala. The area is
spread over three hills. One has the village of Chail, the other has the Snow
View mansion and the third one has the Palace cum hotel of Chail.
Kasauli : In recent times Kasauli has developed as
alternate accommodation for Shimla. It is 12 kms from Shimla on the way to
Kalka. Kasauli has been coming up as a side trip from Shimla. It has some of
the great walks. The walk to Sanawaris very pleasing and full of natural
beauty. Sansar has the potential to become another hill station in the area.
Nature has provided abundance of beauty and scenes.
Solan : Solan is the
district headquarters and is the home to Meaken Brewery. Solan has been tried
to develop as a hill station but it lacks the charm and grace of Shimla as the
scenic beauty is totally absent.
Wild Flower Hall : This is the
former residence of British Commander in Chief and was taken over by the
Himchal Tourism to be converted into a hotel. This lovely building was burnt
down in 1994. The White flower hall is located in Chharabra 13 kms from Shimla.
Narkanda : Narkanda is
basically a transit point between Shimla and Rampur. This place is famous for
Hiking and Skiing but not always only during season.
Mashobra &
Craignano and Naldehra : Mashobra is a small village just 11kms from Shimla which
has a fair every May at Sipi. The lovely trail around takes to the Shiva
temple. Nearby is Craignano which has some pleasant walk and trails. 15 Kms
further North comes another small village Naldehra. This place is famous for
one of the oldest and highest golf courses in India. Right in the middle of the
Golf Course is the Mahunag temple. There are good accommodation and transport
facilities at all these places.
HISTORY HIMACHAL
PRADESH (Figures stated are a decade old)
After Indian Independence, a Union
Territory of Hill states was created. It primarily constituted of hill states
around Shimla. On November 1, 1966 Punjab Hill areas were merged into Himachal
as part of reorganization of Punjab. Himachal Pradesh became a full fledged
state of the Republic of India on January 25, 1971.
Himachal Pradesh has been on the path of
progress since Independence. The literacy rate of the state is 80% now and is
improving every decade. The population has almost stabilized at about 5
million, thanks to high literacy and effective family planning programs. Every
village in the state has electricity and drinking water now.
Many young men from Himachal serve the
Indian Army and have played significant role in the National defense.
Dharamsala has a war memorial dedicated to the memory of those who lost their
lives for their country.
Himachal has one state university at
Shimla, namely, Himachal Pradesh University. There is a Regional Engineering
College (REC) at Hamirpur that has students from all over India. In addition,
there is a Medical College at Shimla.
Himachal is literally a power house
when it comes to hydro-electricity. The state has many dams that harness the
hilly rivers to generate electric power. The electricity is used by farmers in
Punjab, Haryana and by the industries in the northern plains.
