McLeod Ganj: How this Small Himalayan Town Ultimately Became the Capital-in-exile of Tibet
McLeod Ganj is a magical place. By all accounts it has always been that way. Being just a part but to me the best part of the larger town of Dharamsala it sits balanced on a ridge in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. It s the sort of place that you want to tell everyone about but at the same time hope it remains a secret. The awe-inspiring views in every direction are part of the reason for its charm.The history behind Dharamsala is relatively short in Indian terms.
It was originally established in 1849 as a cantonment to accommodate a Native regiment which was being raised in the area by the British administrators. The main base for the soldiers was at the town of Kangra 16 miles away to the south west. The new subsidiary base was subsequently set up on the site of a Hindu rest house or dharamsala and the name was adopted for the new town.
The obvious advantages of the new town were its pleasant climate and stunning views. Within a short while the regimental officers as well as the officers of the civil authorities had houses built for themselves on the higher ground overlooking the town. Within six years of its establishment Dharamsala had grown so much that it was recognised as the head-quarters of the Kangra District. In 1894 the 1" Battalion of the 1" Gurkha Regiment moved its base from Lower Dharamsala to the part of Upper Dharamsala which had by then been named McLeod Ganj. The cantonment had developed quickly with new good quality roads and paths which ultimately connected McLeod Ganj to Lower Dharamsala at the foot of the ridge; and to Forsyth Ganj its adjacent neighbour and a steep path straight up the ridge to Dharmkot at the very top which was a favoured picnic spot as it commands a spectacular view right across the Kangra Valley. In addition McLeod Ganj at that time boasted an impressive Assembly Room wh erlooked public lawns and terraced.
About Author
Andrew MacLeod grew up in New Zealand where the exploits and life stories of the many national heroes such as Don Clark Charles Upham and Peter Snell were a major influence on the youth of his day. However head and shoulders above all others that he admired was the life of Sir Edmund Hillary whose love of the Himalayas and its people resonated with many not just in New Zealand.An overland trip to India from the UK in the early 70 s was the next major influence on his life. And after a professional life spent in architecture from New Zealand to the UK and Kuwait to India he eventually managed to complete the task of bringing this book to fruition. It is a history of events which took place all around the Himalayas spanning a period of several hundred years and ultimately the conclusion is still to be resolved.