Simla was founded as a hill station to use as strategic place for billeting troops, guarding frontier and launching campaign during the course of
- A.Anglo-Maratha War
- B.Anglo-Burmese War
- C.Anglo-Gurkha War
- D.Anglo-Afghan War
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Anglo-Gurkha War. Simla came under British control during the Anglo-Gurkha War of 1814-16 and grew as a military post on the hill frontier.
The Anglo-Gurkha, or Anglo-Nepalese, War was fought under Governor-General Lord Hastings and ended with the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816. Nepal gave up the hill tracts between the Kali and the Sutlej, including the area around Simla, and the British used these heights to station troops and watch the frontier. British officers began building houses there in the following years, and its cool climate made it popular. In 1864 Simla became the summer capital of British India.
Option A is wrong because the Anglo-Maratha Wars were fought in western and central India, far from the Simla hills. Option B is wrong because the Anglo-Burmese Wars were fought in the east, in Assam and Burma. Option D is wrong because the first Anglo-Afghan War began only in 1839, long after Simla was founded.
Exam tip: Anglo-Gurkha War 1814-16, Treaty of Sugauli 1816; Simla summer capital from 1864.
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