"I played all over in the marvels of the wonder world, but here, with my two eyes, I saw the splendors of the Paradise."-
Rabindra Nath Tagore, Dalhousie, 1873. Dalhousie, nestling in the outer slopes of Dhaulandhar range, is an excellence hill station. It is known for its bracing climate and picturesque scenery. Standing at the foot of the spectacular Dhaula Dhar range of the Himalayas, sprawled over five hills – Kathlog, Portrevn, Moti Tibba, Bakrota and Balun, Dalhousie is noted for the magnificence of its scenery, Dalhousie was, in the British era, a sort of " second string" hill station mainly used by people who lived in Lahore. It was acquired from the Raja of Chamba by the British and was named after
Lord Dalhousie+ more about Dalhousie"I played all over in the marvels of the wonder world, but here, with my two eyes, I saw the splendors of the Paradise."-
Rabindra Nath Tagore, Dalhousie, 1873. Dalhousie, nestling in the outer slopes of Dhaulandhar range, is an excellence hill station. It is known for its bracing climate and picturesque scenery. Standing at the foot of the spectacular Dhaula Dhar range of the Himalayas, sprawled over five hills – Kathlog, Portrevn, Moti Tibba, Bakrota and Balun, Dalhousie is noted for the magnificence of its scenery, Dalhousie was, in the British era, a sort of " second string" hill station mainly used by people who lived in Lahore. It was acquired from the Raja of Chamba by the British and was named after
Lord Dalhousie, then viceroy of India, by David McLeod.
With its dense forest, old British houses and thriving Tibetan community, Dalhousie is a favorite destination among the tourists. Midway along Garam Sadak, between Gandhi and Subhash Chowks, you will pass brightly painted low relief pictures of Tibetan deities, including Padmasambhava and Avlokiteshwar, as well as Tibetan script bearing the sacred mantra "OM MANI PADMI HUM".
Close to
Gandhi Chowk is a rock painting of Tara Devi and a little shrine has been constructed here. There is a small Tibetan market just about the bus stand. History of Dalhousie Nestled on the spur at the western end of Dhauladhar, Dalhousie in its present shape was founded in 1850’s when the British acquired five hills from the ruler of the Chamba State for developing the area as a sanatorium. The project originated with Lt. Col. Napier, then Chief Engineer of Punjab; (afterwards Lord Napier of Magdala). In 1851 a spot where the Dayan Kund Ridge breaks in to spurs was selected for the project and Kathalagh was identified for the construction of Convalescent Depot. Dr. Clemenger of the 49th Native infantry was deputed to make necessary observations on the site.
In 1853 the five hills of Kathalagh, Potreyn, Terah (now called Moti Tibba by the locals), Bakrota and Bhangora were acquired by the Govt. of India from his Highness the Raja of Chamba who was allowed a reeducation of Rs. 2000 from the annual tribute of Rs. 12,000 paid by him. Since the estate was founded in the time of Lord Dalhousie the sanatorium was recommended to be called "Dalhousie" by Sir Donald McLeod. In the year 1866 more land was required in
Bahloon and Bakloh hills for the construction of barracks of the Convalescent Depot and as Cantonment for the 4th Gorkhas respectively. For these two portions of the Chamba State, a further deduction of Rs. 5000 a year was made from the tribute payable by the Chamba Raja. With the expansion of the estate which started during the British raj, the whole area has come to be known as Dalhousie. After acquisition in 1850s Dalhousie was a made a part of Kangra district of Punjab state. Later it was transferred to the Gurdaspur district in August 1861. Only after recorganisation of the states, Dalhousie became a part of
Chamba district of
Himachal Pradesh on Ist Nov., 1966.
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