The city of Shimla, best known as the summer capital of the British Raj since 1864 till 1947 is placed regally on the lap between seven hills. The city was discovered in 1819 in the post-Gurkha war and attracted the Governor-General of India from 1828-1835, Lord Benedict. It was under his guidance that the endeavor to make a modern city in Shimla, referred as the 'Queen of the Hills' by the British was initiated. Truly speaking, the city deserves this name owing to its enchanting beauty amidst the lofty north-western Himalayas wrapped in the captivating forests of the deodars, pine, rhododendron, silver oak and the cedars. The city beautifully perched at the elevation of 2,130 which is approximately 6,988 ft above the sea level and is at present the capital of Himachal Pradesh, and also one of the highest visited safe hill tourist destinations of India.
Being a product of British whim, remnant of the imperial past is abundant in the city. Indeed, the city takes pride in the display of the colonial style government buildings, library, railway station, and shops in the mall, all speaking eloquently of the erstwhile governance. Being a grand product of neo-gothic and tudorbethan style architecture, they will surely make you feel of the European soil and its sublime creations. But the mesmerizing landscape enroute Shimla can be best relished by undertaking the train journey from Kalka. The train passes through a large number of tunnels and deep gorges while on its serpentine passageways round and round the hills. The tourist season is in the months of April-May, whereas in the winter season the city gets covered with snow, displaying another image for the tourists.
