50 heritage buildings gutted in last 144 years

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 21

The fire at Grand Hotel, housing the Holiday Home of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), has again raised concern about the safety of buildings in Shimla — the erstwhile summer capital of British India.

Most of the heritage buildings were constructed during the British rule. The incidents of fire started in 1875 when Upper Bazaar located on The Ridge was gutted. In the past 144 years, more than 50 majestic buildings had been razed in fires.

The municipality took a wise step of not rebuilding the destroyed properties and prohibited rebuilding as well. It compensated proprietors and levelled down the crest of the road.

When the construction of the Town Hall (present Gaiety Theatre) was decided, the upper road was galleried and the Ridge was left open. Today it is one of the most sought-after places for strolling.

The fire in 1896 had consumed the PWD building. It was re-erected and the present iron-gripped Railway Board building stands on the ashes of that building. In another incident in 1902, a big block of old wooden buildings opposite the Telegraph House was reduced to ashes.

In 1922, Grand Hotel and Chelsea (CJM School) were gutted, but both buildings were replaced by an exquisite hill architecture. The Foreign Office building, known as Himachal Dham housing the HP Secretariat, was reduced to ashes in 1957. But it was replaced by a concrete structure and was named Akashvani.

Walker Hospital that was built in 1902 and used as military hospital since 1954 was gutted in 1998. The construction of a new hospital is yet to be completed.

Another majestic building, The Peterhoff , the then Raj Bhawan, was burnt in 1981. All belongings of the then Governor AA Khan were reduced to ashes.

The building of Harcourt Butler School, a marvel of unique design and ornate woodwork, was destroyed in a fire in 1974. The Snowdon Hospital building, once the residence of Lord Kitchener, was gutted on New Year’s evening in 1971.

The first permanent structure, Kennedy house built in 1925, and adjoining Kennedy cottage were also gutted. Other monumental buildings in the list are Gorten Castle, GPO, DC’s office, Western Command, DDU Hospital, HPU’s old building, Pari Mahal, Kumar House and Coop Printing Press, near Cart Road.

A peep into some fire incidents

• The fire in 1896 had consumed the PWD building 
• In 1922, Grand Hotel and Chelsea were gutted
• The Foreign Office building, known as Himachal Dham housing the HP Secretariat, was reduced to ashes in 1957
• Walker Hospital that was built in 1902 and used as military hospital since 1954 was gutted in 1998
• The Peterhoff , the then Raj Bhawan, was burnt in 1981