Shimla
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Overview
Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the hill stations of the Lesser Himalaya, along with Mussoorie, Nainital and Darjeeling.
It was the summer capital of British India from 1864.
The Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan was signed here in 1972.
The Kalka–Shimla railway is part of the Mountain Railways of India World Heritage Site.
It is the capital of Himachal Pradesh.
The Viceregal Lodge now houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.
The town is built on ridges of the Shiwalik and Lesser Himalaya.
Landslides in recent years have raised concerns about construction on steep slopes.
Geography and key facts
- Capital of HP
- Lesser Himalaya hill station
- Summer capital (1864)
- Simla Agreement 1972
- Kalka–Shimla railway
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on Himalayan divisions.
Note for UPSC
Capital of Himachal Pradesh.
Useful for orientation questions and for locating other features relative to the capital.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Shimla yet.
Key facts
- Type
- State / UT capital
- State / UT
- Himachal Pradesh
- Coordinates
- 31.103°N, 77.172°E
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
More state and ut capitals nearby
Other places in Himachal Pradesh
All state and ut capitals · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs