District
Shimla
| Headquarters | Shimla |
|---|---|
| Division | Shimla |
| Formed | 1 September 1972 (present form) |
| Area | 5,131 km² |
| Population (2011) | 8,14,010 |
| Density (2011) | 159 per km² |
| Literacy (2011) | 83.64 % |
| Sex ratio (2011) | 915 |
The state capital and the third most populous district. Its present shape dates from the reorganisation of 1 September 1972, when the old Mahasu district was dissolved and merged with Shimla. Shimla town itself was the summer capital of British India from 1864 to 1939.
The district is a mosaic of the former Simla Hill States — Keonthal, Jubbal, Bhajji, Kumharsain, Balsan, Theog, Dhami, Koti, Ghund, Madhan and others — which is why so much of the Praja Mandal story is set here.
- Rothney Castle — A. O. Hume's house, where the idea of the Indian National Congress took shape.
- Viceregal Lodge (1888), now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study; the 1945 Simla Conference and the 1972 Simla Agreement were held at Shimla.
- Gaiety Theatre (1887), the Ridge, Christ Church (1857), Jakhoo temple.
- Kalka–Shimla Railway (1903) — UNESCO World Heritage Site (2008).
- Dhami firing (16 July 1939) and the Sanjauli sessions of the Himalayan Hill States Regional Council.
- Hatkoti (Hateshwari Mata), Chanshal pass, the Pabbar valley apple belt.