CASTLE HILL, an 182acre estate in Mussoorie, a hill city in the Himalayas, which was the summer residence for a short period of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh sovereign of the Punjab who after the annexation of his dominions was exiled by the British to Fatehgarh, in present day Uttar Pradesh. The entrance to the estate, in Landour Bazaar, is a fortress like construction, with battlements for guards, an iron gateway and a reception room for visitors. The estate, originally known as Woodcraft and Greenmount, was the property of one` G.B. Taylor before it was purchased by the government in 1853 for Maharaja Duleep Singh.
It came to be known as Castle Hill from Duleep Singh`s occupation of the `castle` on the top of the hill as his residence.As Duleep Singh arrived at the estate in the summer of 1852, he was, besides the train of servants, accompanied by his guardians, Dr and Mrs Login, the former officially designated as superintendent and agent to His Highness, his tutor, Walter Guise, and his nephew, Shahzada Sahdev Singh, son of Maharaja Sher Singh and his Rajput queen, Rani Dakno. The Maharaja received here lessons in music and drawing and enjoyed outdoor activities such as cricket, hunting and hawking.
He learnt especially to play the flute and raised a small band which performed at the Mall, in the city, in the evenings. He practised painting under the tutelage of the city`s artist George Beechey. The summer of 1853 was again spent at Castle Hill, this time Prince Sahdev Singh`s mother, Rani Dakno, also joining the party. In April 1854, Duleep Singh left for England never to return to live in India again. The estate now is the property of the Union government and houses the offices of the Survey of India. Wm.S.
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Landour, “the tiara” of the “Queen of Hills”, Mussoorie, is an idyllic town, dotted with old country homes reminiscent of the days gone by. Drawing its name from Llanddowror, a village in Carmarthenshire in southwest Wales, Landour is located an altitude of 6,600 to 7800 ft and offers striking views of the Garhwal Himalaya with a wide vista of up to 200 km (125 miles) visible on a clear day. The visible massifs and peaks include (West to East) Swargarohini, Bandarpunch, Yamnotri, Jaonli, Gangotri, Srikanta, Kedarnath, Satopanth, Chaukhamba (Badrinath) and even Nanda Devi.
What started as a convalescent depot for the British troops is today the preferred getaway of artists, writers and nature lovers. The seclusion and verdant mountain scenary are perfect to spend some quiet time and commune with nature.
The area has long winding roads that are lined on one side by majestic deodar and pine groves. Here the air is nippier compared to the lower hill, and cleaner too as it is far away from shops and vehicular traffic.
Heading up from the Clock Tower to the top of the hill, a stiff climb takes you to Landour. The once cobbled streets of this tiny bazaar have now been tarred. You can take a break from all that huffing and puffing by browsing in the antique shops lining the road. The Castle Hill Estate where the Survey of India office is now, was the place where Sir George Everest mapped the Garhwal region. Also located in the serene environs of Landour is Woodstock School which was set up in 1854. The cantonment area here is home to Mussoorie’s famous Sisters Bazaar. Shop for home-made jams and cheeses or relax at Char Dukan, a cluster of shops and shacks that sell tea and light snacks. Landour was also one of the first places in India where an American classic such as peanut butter was made commercially.
Castle Hill is a picturesque hill-type estate located at Mussoorie, Pauri Garhwal District. Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last Sikh sovereign of the Punjab, stayed here for a short period. Spread over an area of 180 acres, Caste Hill is an ideal tourist destination. With battlements and iron gateway, the place gives an impression of a fortress. Castle Hill, originally known as Woodcraft and Greenmount, was the private property of G B Taylor. There are many things in the area reminiscent of the stay of Duleep Singh. Today the offices of the Survey India are located here. Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport.
