Peterhoff, Shimla

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Peterhoff
Peterhoff, Shimla in 2010.jpg
The Peterhoff in 2010
India Himachal Pradesh location map.svg
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Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
Former namesRaj Bhavan, Shimla
Alternative namesThe Peterhof
General information
Town or city Shimla
Coordinates 31°05′21″N77°10′48″E / 31.089178°N 77.179886°E / 31.089178; 77.179886
Renovated1991

The Peterhoff is a building in Chaura Maidan, Shimla which housed at least seven viceroys and governors general of India during the British Raj. The original building was in the Tudor style, with wooden frames and shingled eaves. Peterhoff is situated in Annadale, in the ward of Shimla. After India's independence from the British Empire, the building served as the Punjab High Court. It was at Peterhoff that the trial of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, took place in 1948-49. [1]

Contents

In 1971, when Himachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state, Peterhoff was the Raj Bhavan (the governor's residence). [2] Subsequently, the Raj Bhavan was shifted to the Barnes' Court building. The Peterhof was rebuilt to a new design as a luxury hotel in 1991.

History

Peterhoff was constructed in 1863 as the summer residence of at least seven British Viceroys, with the first being the Earl of Elgin, , who moved into the building in 1863. [3] [4] After India's independence from the British Empire, the building served as the Punjab High Court. It was at Peterhoff that the trial of Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, took place in 1948–49. [1] . In 1971, Peterhoff became the Raj Bhavan for Himachal Pradesh until it was gutted by fire on 12 January 1981. the governor's office was then shifted to Barnes' Court. [5] The building was rebuilt and reopened in 1991 as a luxury heritage hotel with 34 suites, maintained partly by HPTDC and reserved for state dignitaries. [6]

Architecture

The original Peterhoff exemplified the Tudor style with wooden frames, shingles, and a pitched roof set within landscaped grounds. The building was destroyed in a fire on the night of 12 January 1981. [2] In the 1991 reconstruction after being destroyed by fire, Peterhoff was redesigned and reopened in 1991 as a premium heritage hotel managed jointly by HPTDC and the state government. The original hill-station aesthetic was preserved while adapting it for contemporary use as a heritage hotel Interior spaces reflect a blend of grandeur and colonial styling, with large suites, a grand lawn, and period-appropriate detailing. [7] It has 34 suites. [8] It continues to host official functions, including government guest accommodations and tourist stays, and is slated for renovation under an ₹11.5 crore state program announced in 2021. [9]

Recent discussions led by the VHP have even suggested renaming it "Maharishi Valmiki Sadan" to better reflect postcolonial identity. [10] eventeen rooms of the hotel are owned by Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and the rest are reserved for the governor, chief minister, state guests and general administration department. [11]

References

  1. 1 2 Heritage holidays. Outlook. 2004. p. 62. ISBN   9788190172455.
  2. 1 2 Peterhoff (Old Raj Bhavan At Chauramaidan), Governor House, Himachal Pradesh
  3. ↑ "Important Historical Buildings in Shimla | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download". EDUREV.IN. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  4. ↑ Indus Publishing Company (1998). Gazetteer Of the Simla District 1904. Indus Publishing. p. 120. ISBN   978-81-7387-068-2.
  5. ↑ "Museum at Godse trial site in Shimla". The Indian Express. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Peterhof, Shimla – Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC)". hptdc.in. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  7. ↑ "Himachal to promote Peterhoff as heritage hotel". TwoCircles.net. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "Nathuram Godse was tried at Peterhoff Shimla in Gandhi Murder Case". IANS. Biharprabha News. 30 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Peterhoff to be renovated". Sun Post. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  10. ↑ "Now, VHP wants Peterhoff renamed as 'Valmiki Sadan'". The Times of India. 15 April 2016. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  11. ↑ Bisht, Gaurav (20 October 2015). "VHP wants Hotel Peterhoff in Shimla to be named after Valmiki". Hindustan Times.
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