Chapslee Palace

Before becoming a lavish mansion and heritage stay, Chapslee was first built in 1830 as a dhajji house made with mud, grit, wood, and surkhi-lime plaster. It was owned by one Dr. Blake, who worked for the East India Company. It gained the moniker as the “Secretary’s Lodge,” when it was used as the Secretariat for Lord Auckland, Governor General of the East India Company. It was here, in 1838, that ambassadors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab and of Shah Shuja, exiled King of Kabul, signed the Simla Manifesto, resulting in the First Anglo-Afghan War. Consequently, it was also here that Lord Ellenborough signed the 1842 armistice with Afghanistan.

The house would serve as a Secretariat for several more years, until it was sold by Lord Hardinge in 1848. Its new owner, General Innes, was the one to rename the property as Chapslee, which it has retained to this day. After the General, the house would change hands several more times, and in 1896, Sir Arthur Milford Ker expanded the property into the resplendent Victorian residence you see today.

In October 1938, Raja Charanjit Singh of Kapurthala acquired the house, and after some refurbishing and remodeling, turned the mansion into his royal residence. Chapslee remained a private mansion until his grandson, Kanwar Ratanjit “Reggie” Singh, and his wife Kanwar Rani Pronoti Singh opened it to visitors in April 1976. It was the eighth officially registered heritage hotel in India, offering a small, exclusive stay experience. Their intention was not merely commercial, but more toward preserving their family’s legacy and sharing the wonderful culture of Shimla with others.

In fact, when Himachal Pradesh became a state in 1971 and Shimla was declared its capital, the government sought to acquire many large estates, including Chapslee. Reggie and Pronoti relocated permanently to Shimla to defend their ancestral property.

Aside from operating Chapslee Palace, the couple also established outreach initiatives in Shimla. Kanwar Rani Pronoti founded Chapslee School in 1973, and when the school eventually grew, she moved its operations to another property, the Northwood Estate. Likewise, Kanwar Reggie would also dedicate philanthropic works in the name of his mother, the renowned classical musician Naina Devi. The family also established the Naina Devi Foundation to promote Indian classical music and support artists, particularly women and the underprivileged.

For their dedication, Chapslee Palace has received numerous accolades, such as the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Award for Best Heritage Hotel in Asia. It has also been featured in the 1980 TV movie Staying On, starring Trevor Howard, and the BBC documentary series Stones of the Raj, The Kalka Shimla Railway.

Precisely because Chapslee Palace is primarily a royal residence first, heritage hotel second, it is able to preserve an authentic and luxurious ambiance that hearkens back to Victorian England and Colonial India. The architecture and interior design are rooted in old-world beauty, featuring high ceilings, classic fireplaces, aged wood panelling, and faded wallpapers.

Accompanying the structure are accouterments and decor that embody the signature "Chapslee Experience," such as bells to summon room service, teacups and saucers of fine bone china, fine silverware, and cut-glass decanters for wine.

Each of the mansion's main rooms is well-represented, offering distinct aesthetics that complement their functions. The Main Hall showcases a grand staircase and walls lined with Burma teak panelling. Above your heads hang a ruby-glass Murano chandelier, while the thick burgundy curtains that drape the windows are said to be originally from the Doge’s Palace in Venice. On the walls hang French tapestries set next to displays of antique armaments and a dignified portrait of Kanwar Suchet Singh of Kapurthala.

The Dining Room features a less stern color theme that features blues and silvers complemented by gold pattern highlights, perhaps to integrate the color of the Qinghua ceramics and burnished metals also on display. Key highlights of the room include a Murano chandelier, an English Oak dining table, a carved round table in a dining alcove, and embroidered curtains also from the Doge’s Palace. On the walls, mantels, and inside cabinets are collections of antique silver pieces, painted scenes of old Shimla, and fine porcelain and glassware acquired over generations.

The Glazed Room is a Victorian sunroom with a bright, biophilic space, located adjacent to the Gold Room. From here, guests can admire views of Jakhoo Hill and the western slopes of Shimla while relaxing and socializing. The gardens outside and the potted plants inside are accompanied by historic artifacts such as an engraving from 1838 showing the old dhajji Secretariat and the neighboring Auckland House, as well as old photographs.

The Drawing Room, in modern parlance, would be the living room or den, where we would receive and entertain guests. Guests can marvel at classic architectural features such as pillars made of Burma teak and crystal chandeliers that illuminate this former Secretariat. On the walls are ornate mirrors, set alongside family portraits, as well as Flemish and French tapestries. It is also equipped with a grand piano and fitted with antique carpets, and features a collection of antique crafts made of brass, marble, porcelain, and jade. This room is also historically significant, as the very place where the Simla Manifesto was signed, resulting in the First Anglo-Afghan War.

The Gold Room is more akin to a cozy aristocratic hideaway, equipped with a metal fireplace and furnished with fine Louis XVI furniture, Persian rugs, and a delicate cabinet from the Doge’s Palace in Venice. The Library & Card Room, on the other hand, provided a quiet sanctuary to the residents of Chapslee since its inception. Sir Arthur Milford Ker, the last British owner of Chapslee, kept his prized coin collection here. Also on display are the awards, mementos, and memorabilia of Kanwar Reggie's mother Rani Nilina Ripjit Singh, famously known as Naina Devi.

Matters of food and dining are taken very seriously here in Chapslee Palace, from the procurement of ingredients, its meticulous preparation, and right down to the moment each dish is served to you. Guests will be treated to incredible royal cuisine featuring treasured family recipes, familiar yet amazing continental and Anglo-Indian dishes, and a selection of personal favorites of Chapslee's past residents.

The Royal Indian Cuisine features a collection of beloved recipes passed down from Raja Charanjit Singh and his ancestors. These include special influences from fellow royal houses such as those of Awadh, Kashmir, Patiala, and Bhawalpur. Dishes such as aaloo bukhara gosht, naranj pullao, and pasanda kebab are all served in silver thali platters and bowls, and eaten with silverware, allowing you to relive a tradition once reserved for the blue bloods.

Raja Charanjit Singh's love for food made him very open to new and interesting recipes brought over by the Europeans, and he soon incorporated Continental Cuisine into the royal kitchens. During the Colonial Era, Mog cooks were considered integral to any notable establishment or esteemed household, as they were said to be capable of replicating flavors and dishes they had personally experienced. From each culinary encounter, the Mogs cultivated a culture and repertoire that perfectly captured the flavors of Colonial India. Today, guests at Chapslee can savor classic Mog continental delights, including fish meuniere, cannelloni, and lemon meringue pie.

With around 200 years of British influence over India, it's no surprise that the cultural blending also resulted in unique Anglo-Indian Cuisine, loved the world over. Said to be slowly becoming a rarity, Chapslee Palace keeps traditions and recipes alive by imparting its flavors to its honored guests. Savor amazing items like pish pash, steamed ginger pudding, and mulligatawny soup - recipes preserved by the royal family over the generations.

No need to worry about what to do and where to go when visiting Shimla, as Chapslee Palace will be glad to arrange an itinerary for you. Choose from a variety of immersive heritage walks, leisurely half-day tours, as well as exciting day trips during your stay.

Make your way through the old neighborhoods of Shimla, hanging out at The Ridge and visiting heritage buildings like Christ Church and the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex. Though some of the landmarks aren't open for tourism, such as Rothney Castle and Gorton Castle, you can still pass by to admire their architecture. You should also drop by Shimla's museums, particularly the Himachal State Museum and the Army Heritage Museum, to learn more about the region's culture and history.

Chapslee Palace can also prepare a selection of day trips involving visits to neighboring cities or Shimla's nature destinations. Mashobra is a secluded suburb northeast of Shimla, and is known for its relatively unspoiled natural beauty. Here, you can enjoy walking through the pine forest, delight in a picnic, and meet local wildlife. The village of Dhami also welcomes visitors and is a popular destination for nature lovers. Once a small but independent state, it was ruled by Kanwar Dushyant Singh's family, and as their descendant and as a naturalist, he dedicates himself to protecting the region's environment.

All these options, and many more, can be rolled into one fulfilling curated itinerary should you desire. Be sure to approach the management and inquire about their available prepared trips. They can pack your schedule for up to four days' worth of exciting excursions. If you're staying for quite a while in Shimla, you may request a longer itinerary that goes beyond their current packages.