Viceregal Lodge at a glance
Fees and timings are from the institute's page for tourists; check it before you go, as they can change.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1884–88, for Viceroy Lord Dufferin |
| Now | Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), also known as Rashtrapati Niwas |
| Location | Observatory Hill, about 3–4 km west of the Ridge |
| Tour | Guided, about 30 minutes, in Hindi or English |
| Tickets | ₹100 Indian adults; ₹50 children aged 5–12 and seniors over 60; ₹500 foreign nationals |
| Tour times | First tour around 10:30 am, last around 4:30 pm |
History
Planning began under Viceroy Lytton in the 1870s, and the building was completed in 1888 for Lord Dufferin, in a Scottish baronial style, with electric lighting at a time when that was rare in India. For the next six decades, the viceroys spent the summer months governing India from here.
In 1945 the lodge hosted the Simla Conference, where the British government, the Congress and the Muslim League met to discuss India's future. After Independence it became a presidential retreat, and in 1965 it was handed to the newly founded Indian Institute of Advanced Study, a centre for research in the humanities and social sciences.
The guided tour
Tours are led by the institute's guides and take in the main hall with its teak panelling, the grand staircase and rooms with photographs and documents from the colonial and Independence periods. Tickets are issued for timed slots on a first-come basis, and a missed slot can't be moved, so arrive a little early. Photography isn't allowed inside the building, but you can take pictures in the gardens and outside.
The lawns and gardens are worth time of their own, with views over the forested hills.
How to get there
From the Ridge it's a pleasant walk of about 45 minutes along the Mall and past the State Museum, or a short taxi ride along the road to Summer Hill. Taxis can drive to the gate. It combines well with the State Museum in a half day, or with Summer Hill and the Glen for a longer walk.
Tips
- Go in the morning for the shortest queues and the best light on the building.
- Carry ID; you may be asked for it at the ticket counter.
- Check the institute's website or call ahead on public holidays.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the walk from the Ridge.
- Students and researchers asking about admission should contact the institute directly: it's an academic institution, not only a monument.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Viceregal Lodge ticket price?+
₹100 for Indian adults, ₹50 for children aged 5 to 12 and seniors over 60, and ₹500 for foreign nationals, according to the institute's page for tourists.
What are the Viceregal Lodge timings?+
Guided tours usually run from around 10:30 am to the last tour at about 4:30 pm. Check ahead on holidays.
What is IIAS Shimla?+
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study, a research institute in the humanities and social sciences housed in the Viceregal Lodge since 1965.
Can we take photos inside the Viceregal Lodge?+
No. Photography is prohibited inside, but allowed in the gardens and outside.
How far is the Viceregal Lodge from the Mall?+
About 3 to 4 km from the Ridge, a 45-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Who built the Viceregal Lodge?+
It was built in 1884–88 under the British government of India for Viceroy Lord Dufferin.
