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Heritage building Barnes’ Court turns 175

Shimla: Barnes’ Court, the Tudor-style heritage building where the historic Shimla Agreement between India and Pakistan was signed in 1972, turned 175 years old on Thursday.

The architectural marvel, which now houses the Himachal Pradesh Governor’s official residence, was built in 1832 and first occupied by the then British Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army Sir Edward Barnes.

After a break from 1848 to 1860, it again served as the residence of various British C-in-Cs like Gen Napier, Gen Gomm, Gen Anson, Gen Campbell and Gen Rose.

Spread over an area of 9,647 square metres, the building is witness to several momentous events including inking of the Shimla Agreement between the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her Pakistan counterpart Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1972.

The main drawing room along with the table and chairs that were used for signing of the accord have been preserved.

A function was organised at the Court, attended by Governor V.S. Kokje, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former Governor Rama Devi among others, and a special first day cover on the historic building released by the Postal Department on the occasion.

The Court served as the summer Raj Bhavan of Punjab up to 1966 and after reorganisation of the State, when Shimla was allotted to Himachal Pradesh, it was converted into a State guest house-cum-tourist bungalow for some time.

When the Raj Bhavan at Hotel Peterhoff burned down in 1981, the court was made the Governor’s official residence.

Invitations were sent to all past Governors but only Rama Devi who lived here for a little more than two years from 2001 could make it to the occasion.

Other occupants of the sprawling house include Bali Ram Bhagat, Sheila Kaul and R.K.S. Gandhi sent their messages, fondly remembering the time spent by them here.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Kokje said while the building’s “walls have been plastered in mud mortor, painted in white and built in the European style, its heart is that of a ‘pahari’ (the hill people)”.

On the occasion Mr. Singh said: “it is not for nothing that the British made Shimla their summer Capital. In the post Independence era also the Capital of the hill State has been witness to several historic occasions”.-- PTI

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Heritage building Barnes’ Court turns 175

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