Under the watchful eyes of Lord Hanuman, a statue built on the highest of the seven hills, Mall Road, is the beating heart of Shimla, India.
Mall Road was developed during the British colonial era in the mid-19th century. Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and Mall Road was designed as the town’s main commercial and social street.
Catering to British officers and visitors, it became a center for administration, trade, and leisure. Today, colonial buildings, shops and restaurants line the street.
The pedestrian-only street continued to grow after Indian independence. It is a must-see for anyone wanting to experience the hill-town city.
At the end of the upper road is Scandal Point. Although no one knows for sure, it is believed that the Maharaja and a viceroy’s daughter met at Scandal Point in 1892 and ran away together to be married. This led the British authorities to ban the Maharaja’s entry to Shimla, so he built a new summer capital in Chail.
Before everyone split up to go shopping on Upper and Lower Mall Roads, we toured the historic Gaiety Theatre and later the neo-Gothic Christ Church.
A visit to the foothills of the Himalayan mountains wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Shimla and the Mall Road.
My understanding of this heritage was clarified by my Exodus Adventure Travels Indian guide, Anil Kumar. For more information about this tour, “Foothills of the Himalaya,” click here. To view all the excellent tours available through Exodus Adventure Travels, click here.
