In 1850, the spot where Dalhousie stands was a lovely nook at the foot of the Dhauladhar Rage. Against the backdrop of lofty snow-capped peaks, dense oak and pine groves covered the unbroken dopes of five hills. To this idyllic spot came a troubled man - Lord James Ramsay, Marquis of Dalhousie and Governor General of India. A continuing military campaign in the Punjab and the pressures of governance had ravaged his health, and he came to the hills in quest of some fleeting peace. He did not have to look far, and the place where he found his precious moments of serenity still bears his name.
Dalhousie is a quiet town, with a sense of enchantment. It commands an imposing view, flanked as h is by mighty ranges to one side and the gentle valley of Chamba on the other. The climate is salubrious, and the settings just right for long walks or quiet getaways in the forest.
Picturesque English cottages dot the town, imbuing it with an air of nostalgia akin to Shimla. More recently, the Tibetans, fleeing from Chinese occupation, have added their colorful presence to Dalhousie’s much charm.