Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas)
Rashtrapati Niwas
The summer residence of the British Viceroy of India. A Scottish James I–style grey stone building, it witnessed key talks before the partition of India and Pakistan.
The Viceregal Lodge was built in 1888 on Observatory Hill to the west of town. Its grey stone exterior features towers and pointed roofs, and its interior has ornate teak carvings. It served as the residence of the Viceroy during the era when Shimla was the British Indian summer capital. Negotiations that helped decide the course of Indian independence and partition, including the 1945 Simla Conference, were held here. After independence it was renamed Rashtrapati Niwas, and it is now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Some halls are open to visitors led by guides, and you can stroll the lawns and gardens or enjoy views over the valley. Admission is several dozen to over one hundred rupees, and it is usually closed on Mondays. It is about 40 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by car from the Ridge.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:30–17:00; usually closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Himachal State Museum
- Kalka–Shimla Railway
- Sankat Mochan Temple
- Annandale & Army Heritage Museum
- Kali Bari Temple
- Scandal Point & Gaiety Theatre
- The Mall & The Ridge
- Christ Church