During
the 17th century, driven by unsettled political conditions,
some Rajput families from Rewari (in present day Haryana)
fled their homes. They took refuge in the lower Himalayas,
finally settling down at a village called Kasul where
there was a perennial spring of fresh water. Today,
some three centuries later, the spring is the site of
a water reservoir and Kasul has grown into the delightful
little hill station of Kasauli. But some locals would
believe that Kasauli comes from Kausalya, a mountain
stream that flows between Kasauli and Jabli. The name
might even have been derived from Kusmawali or Kusmali,
meaning flower maiden. Given the abundance with which
the hills of Kasauli bloom from spring to autumn, this
could well be the truth.
HISTORY
The calm and peaceful air of Kasauli belies any
sense of history. Yet this region was in the thick of
the westward Gurkha expansion, stemmed with some difficulty
by the joint efforts of the British and some local chieftains,
in 1814. The Gurkha ceded the fort at Sabathu and this
was turned into a convalescent home for British nationals.
Some time later the Governor-General, Lord Amherst,
decided to develop Shimla Hills as a summer gateway
for the British establishment and Col. Tapp, political
agent at Sabathu, came to survey the Kasauli area.
The 1857 Indian War of Independence stirred the hearts
of the Kasauli Guard, numbering about eighty Indian
soldiers. Receiving news that the Gurkha Regiment at
nearby Jutogh has also risen in revolt, the garrison
at Kasauli set out to join them. Before the two could
combine and pose a serious threat, the British agent
talked the Gurkha Regiment into submission, on promise
of a general pardon. The Kasauli Guard found themselves
completely isolated. So far from being pardoned, they
were severely punished for their insurgence.
SETTLEMENTS
The settlement of Kasauli really began
with the efforts of Sir Henry Lawrence, who also started
the famous Lawrence School at Sanawar. He and his wife
built themselves a cottage named Sunny Side. It was
the first cottage to be built at Kasauli and stands
to this day.
Kasauli remains a cantonment where the army is a living
presence; one reason why everything is so clean. The
heart of Kasauli, mercifully, has not been overrun by
hotels and apartment blocks.
FLORA & FAUNA
Some of the private gardens in Kasauli
are ablaze with color and the very air is redolent of
pine. Indeed most of the hillsides are covered with
pine and the ground underfoot is thickly carpeted with
resin rich needles. There are oaks too, and rhododendron,
firs, horse chest hut, wild cherry and several varieties
of deciduous trees. Which is why spring is so beautiful
at Kasauli, with the trees and bushes turning the most
delicate shades of pink and green and silver as they
unfurl new leaves to the sky. Zinnias, dahlias and morning
glory must have been scattered so much seed long ago
and now they have the run of the hillsides along with
wild flowers.
Where the habitat is largely undisturbed, Kasauli is
rich in birds. But leopards, once fairly common in this
area are rarely to be seen. The handsome Shimla Fox
is also rare, but not so the ghooral, jungle cat and
jackal.
PLACES TO VISIT
The highest point at Kasauli, known
as Monkey Point, is now with the IAF and the site of
new family apartment blocks for IAF personnel. Monkey
Point commands a panoramic view of the hills, valleys
and plains below, with the meandering Sutlej and, far
away, the city of Chandigarh.
Lawrence School at Sanawar, six kilometers away, rich
in tradition and a world in itself, also attracts tourists.
The temple of Nahari Devi, which overlooks a waterfall,
is also worth a visit. Nothing has so far affected the
fall, not the severest drought or driest summer.
Around town, one can look for the graves of the two
Chinese POWs who died here. Or try to find out the names
of the two brothers who perished fighting the forest
fire that ravaged Kasauli at the turn of the century.
Or find the old time mailbox with a cast iron crown
on top, a relic of the British Postal Service.
RECREATION
The two main walks around Kasauli, the
Upper and Lower Mall are beautiful. The residents of
Kasauli walk a lot, for Kasauli was always short on
city attractions and meant for getting about on your
own two feet, in communion with nature or if you are
lucky, a walking partner. The somewhat steep Upper Mall
takes you past an important landmark, the Kasauli Club.
Founded in 1880 as the ‘Kasauli Reading and Assembly
Rooms’, it was later converted into Kasauli Club.
Initially the club provided accommodation to men only,
women not being permitted unless it was very cold or
if accommodation was going a-begging. Famous for its
six tennis courts, its lavish ‘tennis teas’
and gala Saturday Nights, the club suddenly found itself
posed for dissolution in 1947. But saved by the breadth
of a hair, it survived to celebrate its centenary in
1980.
GETTING THERE
Delhi is connected to Chandigarh by
air. From Chandigarh it is a little more than an hour
by road to Kasauli. Buses connect Kasauli to many major
cities of north India. Private taxis are also available
between; to Kalka and proceed by bus to Kasauli, less
than an hour away.
WHERE TO STAY
There is a PWD rest house and a number
of private hotels. There is also the HPTDC run Hotel
Ros Common, which is very popular. Prior booking is
advisable.
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