The history of Ramshehar

The history of Shimla goes back to the period of the Anglo-Gurkha war in the beginning of the 19th century. In 1804, the Gurkhas, who had suffered a severe defeat at the hands of the Sikhs at the battle of Kangra — a hill fortress about sixty miles from Shimla — where according to some accounts they lost thousands of men in the fight and many others from disease, commenced to ravage the states and hills surrounding Shimla. Gurkhas built many forts around Shimla. One of these strongholds, the Jagatgarh fortress, was the origin of the modern Jutogh, the well-known military cantonment adjoining Shimla.

By 1808 the invaders had conquered all the fortified posts between the Jamuna and Satluj, and from their capital Arki began their ruthless rule over the neighbouring hill states, until at length the people in their wretchedness appealed to the British for help. A small British force under Major General Sir David Ochterlony was dispatched to liberate the hill men from the Gurkhas. The majority of hill chiefs responded to the call and joined the British forces. The rivals were engaged in the toughest battle at the 3,750 ft high Ramgarh Fort at Nalagarh. A decisive battle took place near the fort at Malaon in which the superior guns of the British overpowered the enemy.

The Battle of Malaon on 15 May 1815 ended the dream of the Gurkhas to rule over this part of the land for any longer. After a few days, an official declaration was made according to which all chieftains who had joined the British in expelling the Gurkhas were restored with their land under British protection. The Maharaja of Patiala, who had also rendered invaluable services to the British, was rewarded with land in the neighbourhood of the area now comprising Shimla. After the defeat of the Gurkhas, they were forced to sign the Treaty of Sanjauli. The company retained the strategic forts of Sabathu, Kotgarh, Ramgarh, and Sandoch.