The unique aspect of the Himachal Pradesh state's capital city Shimla is it is dotted with innumerable beautiful colonial structures, each one with an interesting story to tell you of its hey day when it was the summer capital of the Raj. They are just architectural masterpieces built by the British. So if you walk down the streets, quite indispensable is the colonial aura and old world charm.
The 125-year-old Bantony Castle was the summer palace of the Maharaja of Sirmaur. The main building is a two-story structure constructed in the mock Tudor style, part chalet and crowned with a sloping roof with mini-towers. The building is said to have been designed by TEG Cooper and before its construction began in 1880, the site had a cottage belonging to Cap A. Gordon which housed army officers. It had housed the office of the Himachal Police since 1957.and it was after the last owners won the legal battle that the police vacated the building.
The legal battle over the ownership of the property located on the Kali Bari road and near the Scandal point the Mall ended in the past with the court interference. and the private property was finally transferred to the government under the Himachal’s Department of Language, Art and Culture in the revenue record. The registry of the Bantony Castle was done in the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Shimla (Urban), at a sum of Rs.27.84 crore ( Rs.27,84,65000) in the 3rd week of Feb. 2017. The old structure was in bad shape because of lack of periodic maintenance story building.
The estate was on the verge of near collapse owing to long-drawn legal dispute. The govt was fully committed to renovating the building and had a proposal to convert it into a museum along with recreational park and a restaurant. Thanks to the regular media reports and the efforts heritage lovers who were keen to see the vintage building back to old charm.. Since independence, successive state governments had made a futile attempt to acquire the property from the descendants of the Sirmaur, rulers who wanted the govt. take over the entire plot covering 22000 sq. meters. The contention of the owners was acquisition of the site that has the heritage structure (only 3,874 square meters) would reduce the market value value of the remaining area and the court litigation lasted for a long time. Lying .between Circular Road and Mall Road, the Bantony estate a huge one the main site is along the kalibari road.
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Dilapidated Bantony castle, Shimla sunpost.in
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Restoration and conservation work on Shimla's more than 125 year old colonial Bantony Castle started in earnest amid lockdown and the HP tourism Dept was renovating the building involving migrant workers who wanted to stay here till Covid- 19 lockdown would be lifted. The cost of project was Rs. 26 crore and the work began in 2016. The workers on the project were careful and observed social distancing and taking precautions to avoid infection. If repaired and restored, Bantony castle along with restored town Hall and gaiety theater will resonate with the history and colonial era fervor of Shimla. Bantony Castle being in a vantage location perched atop the ridge, the HP Tourism department has an excellent tourist potential. Visitors can view the breath-taking snow-clad western Himalayan range. This property and the surroundings that have expansive lawns and fine deodar forest form a lively
heritage zone that will include the Ridge, Gaiety Theatre, Town Hall , of Couse, along with Bantony Castle. The state government's idea to make it not only a tourist attraction but also a center of rich cultural diversity of the State and the past legacy of colonialism. is an innovative one.. The total cost of restoration will be around Rs.35 crores.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachaltribune/bantony-castle-to-resonate-with-shimla-s-history-colonial-link-84935
https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/british-era-heritage-building-bantony-castle-gets-new-owner-1487514066.htmloooooo
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/owners-oppose-government-acquisition-of-bantony-castle/articleshow/55283684.cms
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/restoration-work-of-shimlas-bantony-castle-starts-amid-lockdown20200521081142/
