200 years of Shimla: CM launches website, postal stamps

SHIMLA: A website highlighting history and heritage of Shimla along with buildings and institutions of the hill town has been launched here to commemorate 200 years of the city.

The website -- 'Shepherd Semla to Sahib Shimla' -- an initiative of Shimla Bicentennial Group, was launched by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh yesterday, who also released postal stamps under 'My Stamp' scheme to mark the occasion.

A delegation of the group led by its Chief Advisor Dinesh Kumar met Singh and requested him to declare May 15 as ' Shimla Day' on completion of 200 years of the city's existence.

First permanent structure 'Kennedy House' was raised in Shimla in 1815 after the British discovered Simla hills as an appropriate place for summer sojourn and later made it the summer capital of India.

The discovery of Simla hills was consequence of war against Gorkhas in the beginning of 19th century.

Later, Shimla got a Deputy Commissioner's office, which completed 150 years this year, and also the Municipal Committee, which has been upgraded to Municipal Corporation.