Initially, what was the purpose of setting up of the hill stations during the colonial period in India?

The correct answer is B, To serve the needs of the British army. The first hill stations grew out of military needs: cantonments for troops and places where soldiers could be kept healthy.

Hill stations were a distinctive feature of colonial towns. Shimla was founded during the Gurkha War of 1815-16, Mount Abu came up after the Anglo-Maratha campaigns, and Darjeeling was acquired from the ruler of Sikkim in 1835. They were used for stationing troops, guarding frontiers and launching campaigns. Their cool climate was later valued for health, and they also became sanatoria and summer retreats. Shimla became the official summer capital of the Government of India in 1864, and the coming of railways in the late nineteenth century opened them to many more visitors.

Why the others are wrong: A, the British moved to the hills in summer, not winter, and capitals came later. C, sourcing timber was not why hill stations were set up. D, sanatoria were a later use that grew once the troops' health was linked to the cool hills.

Exam tip: hill stations began as army stations; Shimla became the summer capital in 1864.