Dalhousie is a beautiful hill station in Chamba district, in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on 5 hills and has an elevation of 1,970 metres above sea level.[1]Dalhousie Town was named after The Earl of Dalhousie, who was the British Governor-General in India while establishing this place as a summer retreat.Dalhousie has a humid subtropical climate. Late summer and early spring see torrential rainfall due to monsoonal influence. The city sees over 90 frost days per year and 20-30 snowy days.
Dalhousie was founded during the colonial time around the 1850s by the Britishers and was named after ‘Lord Dalhousie’ who was the chief frontman of Britishers in India at that time.
It is located to the west of the Dhauladhar Peak of the Himalayas and is considered a gateway to the beautiful Chamba district, which is filled with Hindu culture, art, temples, and handiwork and was named ‘Alpine Beauty’ by the British officers.
After the Sikh War with Britishers, around 1845-1849, the Punjab state came under the dominance of British officials. A British officer, Lt. Colonel Napier who worked as the chief engineer of Punjab and later became known as “lord Napier” was the first person to spot this place (Dalhousie) in Chamba Valley.
At that time, it was just gratifying Oak and Deodar pine forests, and Britishers were so mesmerized by its beauty that they pressurized the Chamba state to permit them to retract in 1850 and finally built a settlement in 1851.
Ruler of Chamba state – Maharaja Shri Singh had no option as it was impossible to argue against the pressure of Britishers. Though, in return, he asked for an adequate amount in the settlement; still, it was much less than the amount they were paying the Britishers in the form of taxes.
During that time, British rule was taking over other parts of India and it became evident that it will be the same for Dalhousie as well. They started building the city by hiring poor villagers who were devoid of many basic needs of life at low wages and ill-treated them. Later, Christian missionaries came to their rescue but just for spreading their own religion and not for genuine community help.
The British force and other people of the settlement required material and supplies for developing the city. So, some tradesmen from the plains came and established supply shops at Dalhousie and nearby places.
Later in 1895, the first hotel was built named the Bulls Head. Still, there are many buildings and hotels that display the colonial culture and its architecture.
Source: Wikipedia