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Shimla on Foot
Explore this picturesque town from its colonial architectural remnants to the famous Mall. As the 'summer capital' of the British, Shimla saw remarkable building activity during the colonial era and some of the finest structures of that time still stand over its seven hills. Abundant specimens of the Alpine and the Swiss Bavarian chalets, the Norman baronial style and neo Gothic structures validate its likeness to a European town. The famous Mall with its resemblance to an English home county's marketplace has, perhaps, one of the longest stretches of pedestrian shopping anywhere in the world and the town of Shimla also holds what may well be one of the last urban forests ever to be found on our planet. Beauty is a plenty also in the hidden trails and picnic spots, in the surrounding forests, nearby villages and the snow capped Himalayan peaks that Shimla offers a panoramic view of. The best way to enjoy Shimla is by walking as the oldest residents would vow and these walks are designed to take you through the town's rich history, heritage and natural beauty.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 17, 2022
Resonating with a magnificent past and now mingled with a unique Indian ambience, Shimla, the queen of hill stations is still best discovered on foot and this is the best book you can have to accompany and guide you during these walks. The book describes ten walks in the city and its suburbs and each is steeped in history making it unique and beautiful. Raaja describes the history, tradition, architecture and the flora and fauna of Simla that has been forgotten and overlooked in a most engaging and interesting manner.
The book is replete with anecdotes and information which reflects the authors keen interest in the history and essence of modern Simla. No other book can take you through Simla as thoroughly as this one. Written as a walking guide, this book packs much content amid it's otherwise thin covers. A must read for all Simla lovers.
The book is replete with anecdotes and information which reflects the authors keen interest in the history and essence of modern Simla. No other book can take you through Simla as thoroughly as this one. Written as a walking guide, this book packs much content amid it's otherwise thin covers. A must read for all Simla lovers.
February 17, 2021
Interesting Informative
An interesting 'walk' (s) with the author Raaja Bhasin through the picturesque hill station,Shimla and its adjoining suburbs
Raaja has wisely included a lot of tips on suitable times, clothes, essentials and other safety measures, while taking these walks.
A must for tourists ( though, even the locals can learn a thing or two.)
An interesting 'walk' (s) with the author Raaja Bhasin through the picturesque hill station,Shimla and its adjoining suburbs
Raaja has wisely included a lot of tips on suitable times, clothes, essentials and other safety measures, while taking these walks.
A must for tourists ( though, even the locals can learn a thing or two.)
January 11, 2016
When the British established footholds on the coasts of India, its heat and dust proved to be quite a challenge which claimed the lives of many early officials. It was only after annexing the interior kingdoms could they gain entry to hill stations which offered a salubrious climate somewhat similar to what they were accustomed to back home. If India was the jewel in the crown, Shimla was the adhesive with which the jewel was affixed on the diadem. There were several such asylums against heat in the Indian heartland, such as Ooty and Kodaikanal in the south and Nainital and Dehra Dun in the north. But Shimla was undoubtedly the queen among them all, which was also the seat of the government during the summer months. The administration transferred its seat, along with paperwork and employees in the month of April every year to Shimla and returned to the plains in October. The viceroys contemplated the decisions which affected a fifth of humanity in the cool and elaborately built mansions in Shimla while the plains sweltered in the scorching heat and drenched in immense sheets of monsoon rain.
Many parts of Shimla is recognized as heritage zones and closed to vehicular traffic. A leisurely walk through these areas provides a memoable experience to visitors. Almost all of the walks described in the book originate at Scandal Point near the Mall, which is the most famous landmark of Shimla. The walks are a few kilometers long through undulating terrain alongside great vistas through wooded forests of oak, cedar and spruce trees. The walks are designed in such a way that travelers can interrupt one and continue with another one, according to choice and circumstances. A route map is provided along with each suggested itinerary. Major attractions, mostly architectural, along the route are described and photographs included. Anecdotes related to the locations on the way are also described in a pleasant manner. Bhasin’s narration is authoritative and full of confidence arising out of a long experience gained through living in this hill station, which is also the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh. What is noticeable in the post-independence period of the city is that whatever was in the hands of the colonial administration changed hands to the union government at Delhi and that of the British armed forces to that of Indian. An exception to the rule is the Viceregal Lodge, which was the abode of viceroys. Naturally, it fell to the office of the President of India. In 1964, Dr. S Radhakrishnan, the philosopher-statesman handed over this building to house the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, an institution set up to research in areas which have deep human significance through an inter-disciplinary approach.
The included route map with each walk is rather simplistic and not to scale. Only a few landmarks are indicated along the way and there seem to be a little difficulty for a novice in finding his way, especially if one compares the route map with that of Google Maps which is complicated. I would like to stress here that this opinion is from a person who has never been to Shimla. The route map does not follow the conventional directions either, with the East shown on top in some maps and towards the bottom in many others. This is a great source of confusion, as the walkers may find placing landmarks on the correct side of the road. Many of the photographs are not given captions, making it again difficult to identify them. A good index and collection of tips for visitors add value to the book. Printing and layout of the book is superb, especially the good quality colour plates.
The book is highly recommended for the traveler to Shimla.
Many parts of Shimla is recognized as heritage zones and closed to vehicular traffic. A leisurely walk through these areas provides a memoable experience to visitors. Almost all of the walks described in the book originate at Scandal Point near the Mall, which is the most famous landmark of Shimla. The walks are a few kilometers long through undulating terrain alongside great vistas through wooded forests of oak, cedar and spruce trees. The walks are designed in such a way that travelers can interrupt one and continue with another one, according to choice and circumstances. A route map is provided along with each suggested itinerary. Major attractions, mostly architectural, along the route are described and photographs included. Anecdotes related to the locations on the way are also described in a pleasant manner. Bhasin’s narration is authoritative and full of confidence arising out of a long experience gained through living in this hill station, which is also the capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh. What is noticeable in the post-independence period of the city is that whatever was in the hands of the colonial administration changed hands to the union government at Delhi and that of the British armed forces to that of Indian. An exception to the rule is the Viceregal Lodge, which was the abode of viceroys. Naturally, it fell to the office of the President of India. In 1964, Dr. S Radhakrishnan, the philosopher-statesman handed over this building to house the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, an institution set up to research in areas which have deep human significance through an inter-disciplinary approach.
The included route map with each walk is rather simplistic and not to scale. Only a few landmarks are indicated along the way and there seem to be a little difficulty for a novice in finding his way, especially if one compares the route map with that of Google Maps which is complicated. I would like to stress here that this opinion is from a person who has never been to Shimla. The route map does not follow the conventional directions either, with the East shown on top in some maps and towards the bottom in many others. This is a great source of confusion, as the walkers may find placing landmarks on the correct side of the road. Many of the photographs are not given captions, making it again difficult to identify them. A good index and collection of tips for visitors add value to the book. Printing and layout of the book is superb, especially the good quality colour plates.
The book is highly recommended for the traveler to Shimla.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews