Settlement by the British and the Gurkhas Dharamshala

saint john’s church in wilderness @ dharamsala, built in 1852

in 1848, area known dharamshala annexed british.

dharamsāla lies on spur of dhaola dhār, 16 miles north-east of kāngra, in midst of wild , picturesque scenery. formed subsidiary cantonment troops stationed @ kāngra, , first occupied station in 1849, when site required cantonment accommodate native regiment being raised in district. site found upon slopes of dhaola dhār, in plot of waste land, upon stood old hindu resthouse, or dharmsāla, whence name adopted new cantonment. civil authorities, following example of regimental officers, , attracted advantages of climate , scenery, built houses in neighbourhood of cantonment; , in 1855 new station formally recognised headquarters of [kāngra] district.

in 1860, 66th gurkha light infantry moved kangra, himachal pradesh dharamshala, @ first made subsidiary cantonment. ideal position new base found on slopes of dhauladhar hills, near site of hindu sanctuary, or dharamshala, hence name of town. battalion later renamed historic 1st gurkha rifles, beginning of legend of gurkhas, known bravest of brave . consequently, fourteen gurkha platoon villages grew settlement, , exist day, namely dari, ramnagar, shyamnagar, dal, totarani, khanyara, sadher, chaandmaari, sallagarhi, sidhbari, yol, , on. gurkhas worshipped @ ancient shiva temple of bhagsunag. gurkhas referred dharamshala bhagsu , referred bhagsuwalas.

the 21st gurkha regiment dharamshala performed heroic feats during world war , north west frontier province campaigns. gurkha cantonment reached zenith during world war ii, when battalions dharamshala made history. many place names in town still retain former cantonment terminologies: depot bazaar, pensioners lines, tirah lines (named after 19th century tirah campaign), bharatpore lines (named after 1826 battle of bharatpore).

the second lord elgin, viceroy of india died here (at 1st gurkha rifles officers mess) in 1863 , buried in cemetery of st. john in wilderness, small anglican church distinguished stained-glass windows. dharamshala became popular hill station british working in or near delhi, offering cool respite during hot summer months.

before earthquake of 1905, upper part of station, rises height of 7,112 feet [2,168 metres], contained european houses, station church, , officers mess , lines of 1st gurkhas, public gardens, post office, , 2 bazars, forsythganj , mcleodganj. public offices, bazar, , few european houses made lower station, low 4,500 feet [1,372 metres]. 1st battalion of 1st gurkhas used stationed here, moved upper station in 1894-5.... public gardens, were, before earthquake, laid out taste in lawns , terraces, contained valuable collection of indigenous , imported trees , shrubs, , overlooked assembly rooms, handsome building comprising public hall, library , reading-room , billiard-room. church beautifully situated in recess of mountain.

in 1905, kangra valley suffered major earthquake. on 4 april of year, earth shook, demolishing of cantonment , neighbouring city of kangra, himachal pradesh bhagsunag temple. altogether, 1905 kangra earthquake killed 20,000 people. 1,625 persons perished @ dharamsāla alone, including 15 europeans , 112 of gurkha garrison.

the gurkhas rebuilt town along temple, today acknowledged 1st gurkha rifles heritage. british had planned make dharamshala summer capital of india, moved shimla after disaster.

not did gurkhas of dharmshala make major contribution india s defence, many freedom fighters indian national army, had been founded netaji subhas chandra bose. indian national army captain ram singh thakur, gurkha village of khanyara, composed of india s popular , stirring patriotic songs, including kadam kadam badaye ja . acknowledged netaji research bureau, kolkata. important contribution of noted gurkha social commentator, late master mitrasen thapa, village of totarani, has been acknowledged himachal pradesh government. recently, park dedicated memory of late brigadier sher jung thapa, mvc, hero of skardu , has been opened alongside road between lower , upper dharamshala.