Observatory Hill (Institute of Advanced Studies), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh India

If you want to know more about the history of Shimla, you have to visit Observatory Hill housed in the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

The latter, which is usually referred to as IIAS, is a research institute that was set up in the year 1964 but became operational from 20th October, 1985. It was originally constructed as an abode for the then Viceroy of India, Lord Dufferin and was popularly called the Viceregal Lodge. Observatory Hill was occupied by it. It would be relevant to mention in this context that Shimla rests upon seven hills of which Observatory Hill is one.

Thus, you can understand the view you can get if you reach the peak of this hill. You can have a bird ’s eye view of the whole surroundings from this high peak. It can truly make your vacation a memorable one.

From 1823 onwards, for some six decades the Governors-General and later Viceroys of India had shuttled from one unsuitable residence to another during their summer sojourns in Shimla. It was Lord Lytton (1876-80), who chose Observatory Hill for constructing the building that was to be the final Viceregal address in town. The hill derives its name from Observatory House which was built in 1840 by Captain J. T. Boileau. In time, Observatory House became the residence of the Viceroy's Private Secretary. Observatory Hill is a watershed which stands figuratively astride India. The waters from one side of the hill flow down to the Bay of Bengal, and the wash from the other heads towards the Arabian Sea.

The first designs for the new Viceregal residence were prepared by Captain H. H. Cole of the Royal Engineers. These were presented before the workaholic Viceroy, Lord Lytton at the Simla Fine Arts Exhibition of 1878. It was Lord Dufferin (1884-88), however, who took great personal interest in the matter. He persuaded the Secretary of State for India, Lord Randolph Churchill, to sanction the project that was finally to cost thirty-eight lakh rupees. The annual upkeep of the estate was estimated to be one and a half lakh rupees.

The institute has its own rich history. A number of crucial historic decisions were taken during the Independence movement of India in this building. It also hosted the Simla Conference in 1945. After India became independent, it was turned into a summer retreat for the country ’s President and was given the name Rashtrapati Niwas.