As the train finally reaches Shimla one can feel the peace, calmness, pine forests and apple orchards, crisp, clean air and breathtaking views - that's Shimla in a nutshell. Sprawled over 12 kms on a crescent shaped ridge, Shimla is the largest hill station and erstwhile summer capital of the British in India. Descending in layers from the top of the ridge, at 2,213 metres, Shimla straddles several hills, including the Jakhu, Prospect Hill, Observatory Hill, Elysium Hill and Summer Hill.
Shimla was settled by the British shortly after the first Anglo-Gurkha war and is located at 7,116 feet on the foothills of the Himalayas. By the 1830s, Shimla had developed as a major base for the British. It became the summer capital of British India in 1864 and was also the headquarters of the British army in India.
On July 7, 2008, the Kalka-Shimla Railway was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the World Heritage Site Mountain Railways of India.