Shimla Self-Guided Walking Tour, Shimla, India

Originally developed by the British during the 1800s as the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla’s cool mountainous climate meant that it became a popular retreat from the oppressive heat of the lowlands for many British officers, enlisted personnel, administrators and their wives during the sweltering summer months. With a mix of high-ranking government officials and aspiring colonial officers, the city also began to attract younger single women looking for marriage and developed a reputation as a hub of upper-class social life within British India. Following India’s independence, the British left and Shimla today is the capital of modern Himachal Pradesh state and a popular hill station which is filled with unique colonial architecture and faded tales of scandal and frivolity within a picturesque mountain setting. Two pedestrianised routes, The Mall and The Ridge, run parallel from east to west in the heart of the city and are lined with historic and notable buildings. Check out this walking tour for some of the highlights! ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).