Achi news desk-
Pankaj Singta/Shimla, Holy Lodge is the focal point of Himachal politics. The mention of Himachal politics is incomplete without mentioning Holy Lodge. This building is the family residence of the six-time Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, the late Virvada Singh. Like all the ancient buildings of Shimla, this building also has its own history. This building was once the building of today’s Oakland School. The Punjab Girls’ School was established in the Holly Lodge building in 1866. What is now known as Auckland School. In 1930, this building was purchased by Padam Dev, the father of Virbhadra Singh and the King of Bushehr State.
Speaking to Local 18, Vinod Bhardwaj, retired senior editor from the Himachal Pradesh Information and Public Relations Department, said Holy Lodge is one of those few buildings. which were built at the beginning of the Shimla period. Holy Lodge and other buildings owned by Major GB Gaur were given on rent by him. The annual rent for all the buildings together was 38 thousand rupees, of which 1800 rupees were collected from Holy Lodge.
The school was started by Sophia Ann
The Holy Lodge was leased by Major GB Gaur to Bishop George of Calcutta. Bishop is the same person who established the famous Bishop Cotton School of Shimla in 1858. A girls’ school was established at Holy Lodge in 1866 by Sophia Ann, wife of Bishop George. called Punjab Girls School. This school started with 32 female students. After running the school in the Holly Lodge building for two years, it was moved closer to the Auckland Tunnel. This school is famous today as Oakland School. This is one of the famous schools of Shimla.
How Holly Lodge of the Wirvadra Family came to be
Holly Lodge was also the residence of Lieutenant Governor Sir Morton. After the death of Lieutenant Governor Sir Morton in 1906, the building again came up for rent. Then, in 1930, Holy Lodge was purchased by Padam Deb, King of Bushehr State and father of Virvdra Singh. Virvdra Singh’s family started living here since 1930. Then, in 1962, Virvdra Singh was first elected a member of the Lok Sabha from Himachal. Became Prime Minister of the State in 1983. Since then this building has become the epicenter of Himachal politics.
Tags: Himachal Pradesh News, not news, Latest news in Hindi, local18, Shimla news
First published: May 4, 2024, 4:37 PM IST
