This presentation gives an idea about the Colonial Architecture style of Shimla

1. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, HAMIRPUR (H.P.)
SUBMITTED BY :
JAI PRAKASH – 17M804
ATHUL P. – 17M805
RAJAT NAINWAL – 17M809
COLONIALARCHITECTURE STYLE
OF
SHIMLA (H.P.)

2. • Shimla is a beautiful hill station in the Himachal Pradesh state of India. It is
popularly know as the "Queen of Hills". Shimla was a major town in the time
of Britishers.
• Being about 7500 ft. above sea level, Shimla is one of the favorite holiday
destinations among tourists.
• During the time of the British, Shimla was the summer capital. This is the
reason why, Shimla has buildings, homes, churches, and lodges that are
typically British in architecture.
• The architecture of Shimla is called colonial architecture. Renaissance
influenced designs and neo gothic architecture are predominant in the buildings
of Shimla.
INTRODUCTION

3. CULTURE
• Lifestyle: The living pattern of the majority of people in Shimla
is still that of a rural. Agriculture and livestock keeping are the
two main occupations of the people.
• Art and Craft: The greatest example of the Culture of Shimla is
the handworks of its people. The Thapada and Kohana - two
styles of embroidery, bamboo items made by the Dom tribe.
• Fairs and Festivals: Fairs and festivals are an essential part of
culture in Shimla. The main attractions amongst them are The
Summer and Winter Festivals, The Ice Skating Carnival and
International Folk Festival.
• Music: The tribal music in Shimla is very famous. Instruments
like Ektara, Jhanjh, Manjara, Chimta, etc. are used.

4. • Dance: The major dance forms of Shimla are The
Rakshasa Dance or the Dance of the Demon, The
Kayang Dance and The Rasa Dance.
• Language: Hindi being officially the state language,
people mostly use Pahari or several dialects of it.
CULTURE
• Traditional Clothes: Clothes too reflect the Shimla
culture - be it Salwar, Kameez, Kurta or the long knee-
length gown known as Juan Chadiyan.
• Climate: In winter, the temperature can drop below
freezing point when heavy woolens are required.
Summer temperatures are mild and light woolens /
cottons are recommended.

5. CLIMATE
• Shimla features a sub-tropical highland climate under the Koppen climate classification.
The climate in Shimla is predominantly cool during winters, and moderately warm
during summers.
• Temperature typically ranges from – 4 C (25 F) to 31 C (88 F) over the course of an
year. The average temperature during summer is between 19 C (66 F) and 28 C (82 F),
and between -1 C (30 F) and 10 C (50 F) in winters.
• Monthly precipitation varies between 15 mm (0.59 in.) in november to 434 mm. (17.1
in.) in august. It is typically around 45 mm. (1.8 in.) per month during winters and
spring and around 175 mm. (6.9 in.) in june, as the monsoon approaches. The average
total precipitation is 1,575 mm. (62 in.), which is much less than most other hill stations
but still greatly heavier than on the plains.
• Snowfall in the region, which historically has take place in the month of december, has
lately (over the last 15 years) been happening in january or early february, every year.

6. • Shimla is a beautiful hill station in the Himachal Pradesh state of India. It is popularly known as
the "Queen of Hills". Shimla, originally known as Simla, was a major town in the time of
Britisher. Thus the architecture in Shimla is largely influenced by the British.
• The present day Shimla, is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is a popular tourist destination. It
is a small hill station town with the population of 1.6 lacs. The main things to see and experience
in Shimla are the grand buildings of British time, wooden handicrafts, and apples that are
exported worldwide.
• During the time of the British, Shimla was the summer capital of The Viceroy. The Viceroy and
the other administrative members used to spend the summers in Shimla.
• From May till July, Shimla used to hustle and bustle with administrative activities. The families of
the administrative members also used to accompany them to spend the summer in Shimla.
• This is the reason why Shimla has buildings, homes, churches, and lodges that are typically
British in architecture.
• The architecture of Shimla can be analyzed with the help of a few iconic structures of the town.
The first and foremost in this category is the Viceroy's Lodge.
ARCHITECTURE IN SHIMLA

7. ARCHITECTURE IN SHIMLA
• The architecture of Shimla is called colonial architecture. Renaissance influenced designs and
neo gothic architecture are predominant in the buildings of Shimla. The Britishers and their
family used to spend half of the year in this hill station. Thus the whole infrastructure of Shimla
is based on their needs and lifestyle.
• At present the Viceroy's Lodge operates as the Indian Institute of Advance Study. The structure
looks like a grand British house or rather a palace. The exterior is done in gray sandstone and
light blue limestone. In typical Gothic style iron girders, beams, and trusses have been used. To
give the look of a European castle, glass windows, and brick roof have been added.
• In true British style, the interior of the Viceroy Lodge is adorned with glass ceiling and fireplace.
The fireplace has been replaced by Indian Wheel of Progress. To suit European lifestyle there is a
ballroom and a huge library.
• The architecture in Shimla is a replica of European architecture. However, the material used in
construction is all Indian or local. Wooden stairs, grey sandstone, teak panels, Walnut ceiling with
Kashmiri design, are some of the popular construction materials used in the Viceroy's lodge.

8. • Large number of
openings in the south,
to avoid the north cold.
• Sloped roof was used in
all the structures to
avoid the gathering of
the snow.
• Constructed using
sandstone, wood
and bricks.
• Also there were
fireplaces in the houses .
HOUSES IN SHIMLA

9. CONSTRUCTION OF WOODEN HOUSES
• A wooden frame is constructed and then covered up using the wooden panels.

10. • The architecture is a typical example of British Colonial Architecture.
• Of the colonial buildings that still stand, the city offices and railway ministry are
outstanding examples. The Vice Regal Lodge or the Rashtrapati Niwas has
design of an authentic English building. Also the Christ Chruch.
• As the architecture was influenced by the gothic era it had features like:
Ribbedvaults Flying buttressPointedarch
ARCHITECTURAL ASPECTS

11. • Viceroy's residence is an example
of fine Elizabethan style of
architecture. Henry Irvine has also
made significant contribution in
designing of the building.
• The exterior is done in gray sand
stone and light blue limestone. In
typical Gothic style iron girders,
beams, and trusses have been used.
To give the look of a European
castle, glass windows, and brick roof
have been added.
• The Viceroy Regal was constructed
in1880. Woods were imported from
Burma to adorn the interiors of the
building. Woods like pine and cedar
were used to construct its architecture.
VICEROY PALACE

12. VICEROY PALACE
• The south facing entrance portico sees the visitor into the reception hall. The
hall is marked by a grand staircase which springs from the right and spirals up
three full floors. Facing the main entrance is the grand fireplace.
• A gallery with well-appointed teak panelling is the central space of the
building around which the other rooms are arranged.
• The state drawing room, ballroom, and the wood-paneled dining room –
decorated with coats of arms of former Governor-Generals and Viceroys –
lead to the gallery at the lower level.
• A repetitive use of a arch is done with a variation in its size.
• A large number of windows on its south direction to avoid the north colds.

13. • It also contained the ornamentation on the top
which was carved out of stone. It had the
description on it.
• It hasthe stone railing with the brick work
below it.
VICEROY PALACE

14. The Himachal Pradesh Secretariat (Ellerslie building) was
designed by Lt. Col. H.E.S. Abbott 100 years back. This
beautiful building was constructed after dismantling an old
building of the same name that housed the Military
Department of the Punjab Government till 1886.
• The inside of Ellerslie is made of stone quarried from Sanjauli and Barnes Court (Present Raj
Bhawan) and stuck together using lime mortar.
• The brickwork too has lime mortar cementing.
• The Himachal Pradesh Secretariat occupied it in the summers of 1967. In July 1972 the
"Summit Hall" where the cabinet meetings are held was spruced up and was given this name
as initial summit meeting for Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan.
• This building with sub-basement, basement and three floors, now has 143 rooms and 31
toilets. It covers and area of about 8663 meters.
ELLERSLIE

15. • The other prominent structure that has European architecture
in Shimla is the Christ Church. Situated in the ridge area the
Church signifies British period in India.
• The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ
Church, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern
India.
• The stained glass windows are typical to the Christian
architecture originated in Europe.
• The silhouette of this can be seen on the skyline for miles
around. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844, but
consecrated only after 1857.
• 155-year-old church first had an organ which was erected in
1855.
• In the winter of 1900 the six bells were hung in the tower.
CHRIST CHURCH

16. One of the most striking buildings of the British
empire, Gorton Castle is a new-Gothic structure that
had the famous Sir Swinton Jacob as its architect -
the Rajasthan jaali work on its balconies obviously
came from his forty five years of experience as the
executive engineer of the princely state of Jaipur.
• Completed in 1904, this was the Civil Secretariat of the Imperial Government of India and
housed the Legislative, Lands, Education, Home Health and Finance departments. Today, this
houses the offices of the Accountant General of Himachal Pradesh.
• This three floored building with about 125 small and big rooms became the seat of the
Accountant General in 1947.
• It also has one floor paved with rosewood like timber blocks which were brought from Andaman
Islands by B. Ribbentrop head of forest department.
GORTON CASTLE

17. • Built in 1896-97, this cast iron and steel structure once held the
offices of the Railway Board and the Department of Commerce.
• But at a time when safety was a core-consideration for important
buildings throughout the British Empire, this was designed to be
structurally fire-resistant, and a recent blaze has testified to this in
Shimla.
• The building was originally designated as the 'Public Works Department Secretariat Offices' and
was fabricated by the Bombay based firm of Rishardson and Cruddas.
• Above road level, the building has four levels and with one side exposed, climbing down the hill,
it has three basements.
• On the 10 Feb 2001, a blaze broke out in the top floor and standing testimony to its construction
and to the subsequent restoration, no trace of this huge fire remains today and its facade is as
imposing as ever. Presently, it houses many of the Central Government Offices.
THE RAILWAY BOARD BUILDING