Sunday, April 26, 2015

A must-see Historical place in Shimla

Last year, when I was in Shimla: It was raining and foggy around 4 PM, as I hurried up to the prestigious institute, well renowned for its historical importance & architectural splendor. I was told that the institute was a place that I should not miss, and truly it was! 

Indian institute of Advanced Study - IIAS - an institute for postdoctoral studies in areas of arts & humanities - is housed in this prestigious building that resembles a palace. The building originally built in 1888, was meant to be a summer palace for the Viceroys of India. After independence, it became the summer rest house for Indian president, but Dr. S Radhakrishnan the then President of India, decided to convert it into an academic institution for higher studies. Now residential post-doctoral courses are run here. 

Few of the notable things, that captured my interests were: 
  • Clock - Old manual winding clock that still runs today and shows the Full Moon and New Moon
  • Roof - Made of Walnut wood  
  • Switches - German make and still functioning!
  • Piano - keys made out of elephant tusk
  • Electrification - First electrified building in Shimla in 1888 and that too with concealed wiring!
  • Chandelier - Belgian make 
  • Table - Pandit Nehru and Mountbatten signed an agreement for partitioning of India and the table was partitioned to signify it 
  • Doors - Burma teak unpolished & unpainted
  • Library - Originally a Ballroom 
  • Simla Conference - Hindu Muslim conference organized in 1945
  • Fire Sensors - Wax on water pipes that will melt automatically on heat
  • Entrance - Wood paneled like the best Scottish houses, with fireplace for the winter months


    IIAS - As I saw it - that day, that time


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