The over 140 year old Bantony Castle was the summer palace of the Maharaja of Sirmaur. The main building of which is a two- storey structure constructed in the mock Tudor Style, part chalet and crowned with a sloping roof with mini towers. The building is said to have been designed by TEG Cooper under the watchful eye of Raja Surender Bikram Prakash and before its construction began in 1880, the site had a cottage belonging to Captain A. Gordon which housed army officers.
During the two World Wars, the rulers of Sirmaur allowed the colonial Government to use the premises for military purposes.
During the second World War, here lay the Prisoner of war section attached to All India Radio for handling messages of mostly Italian prisoners interred at Yol, near Dharamshala. Just after Independence, the respected newspaper “The Tribune” which had been based in Lahore began functioning here till it shifted to Chandigarh.
Just before the Independence of India, Bantony passed into the hands of the Maharaja of Darbhanga. In 1957-58, Maharaja Sir Kameshwar singh of Darbhanga gave the property on rent to the Punjab Government and various wings of initially the Punjab and later, the Himachal Police were based here for several years. The Police Officers’ mess was also located on the premises.
While still with the police in 1968, the estate was purchased by the prominent local business family of Ram Krishan and sons. The Himachal Government acquired this 19,000 sq. mtr. estate and structures in 2017, to create the elaborate complex that Bantony now houses.
The Bantony Castle has now been restored at a cost of about approx. Rs. 29 Crore to house the proposed Heritage Museum, Multipurpose Hall and Art and Craft and Light and Sound Show in an area of about 3700 square meter.
In the main building of the castle, a digital museum will be opening very shortly which is expected to be innovative, people-oriented and immersive.
The mesmerizing 30 minute Light and Sound Show (in separate Hindi and English versions) captivates the senses from start to finish describing the journey of various facets of this historical town. This show, a first for the hilly town, shall serve as a major attraction for locals and tourists alike in days to come.
Proposed Light and Sound show will be the first production to use digital art technology to depict the history of Shimla through the eye of Bantony Castle right from its foundation at a historical site. This show is a dramatic retelling of Shimla’s story from its foundation to the modern day. Bollywood actor Anupam Kher narrates the show. The show will be showcased to general public in English and Hindi Languages with a seating arrangement of 70 people for a one time watch.
