The story of Simla in the 19th century was written by the British. It was their ideal retreat and they planned everything about Simla- from its shape and features to its social framework and destiny…or so, they thought. What they did not realize in their zeal and over-enthusiasm was that they had sown, within the …
Two Lives
History isn’t guaranteed alone by political ramblings or wobbling economies. The social milieu or fabric is what actually seams history. So, even as we may talk of the Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century or the building of the railways, it would be incomplete unless we have a look at how life was being lived …
British Jewel of the Orient
The railways in India are truly a legacy of the British Raj. In a previous chapter, we spoke of how Industrialization was a big phase in Europe in the early 19th century. As a result, there were engineering enthusiasts who dreamt of covering the earth with cast iron rails. At the same time, the rising …
Shyamala to Simla
For Previous chapters click here... ****************************************************************************** “If History were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Rudyard Kipling After the Gorkha leaders had been quelled, the British, who saw Shyamala as an obscure village, gave it to the Patiala Raja for the assistance rendered by him in the war (read about …
तेरा आशय महान है
तेरा कर्म उड़ान है, प्रतिफल नही तेरा आशय ही महान है। सतह का स्पर्श विराट नही स्पर्श का स्वप्न देखना विशाल है। अंत मे अनंत हो ज़रूरी तो नही, अनंत की संभावना जगाना ही कमाल है। चांद का कद ऊँचा ही सही, तेरे हौसले की बुलंदियों पे मुझे अभिमान है। प्रतिफल नही, तेरा आशय महान …
Discovering Shyamala
When God created the earth, he was essentially playing treasure hunt. He precariously placed some fortunes all around and left it to man to discover them. A chance discovery of these treasures has always been special. I’m sure Columbus was on cloud nine when he stumbled upon the Americas while trying to find a direct …
A Hundred Quills 