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 At the foot of the main spurs of the Dhaula Dhar whose dark, pine covered, mountain-side reaches towards the upper peaks that soar into the region of eternal show is a scenic British built hill station' where a young and prematurely ageing British peer sought peace, tranquility and respite from the wars he was embroiled in. This is Dalhousie, gateway to Chamba, the "vale of milk and honey'', sparkling and impetuous streams. The north western Himalayas, comprising Himachal Pradesh and the Kangra district of the Punjab, are a kiker's paradise, surrounded, as he is, by lovely valleys and towering mounting in their wildest and most magnificent aspects, From the beautiful valley of Kangra, one rises to steeply rising mountain, where the great rock wall of Daular Dhar towers above the towns in the foot hills. In the rough country-side, as contrasted with luxuriant Kullu
and Kangra valleys, a narrow winding road, an off shoot of the main road to Pathankot, leads to the lovely scenic hill resort of Dalhousie, where the Daula Dhar Range just begins to dip into the river Ravi. Built around and upon five little hills, covered with a thick growth of ban oak, conifers and a large variety of trees and shrubs, in nestles amidst stately oaks and pines. Skirting these hills are a number of good roads of which the Upper Bakrota Mall is the finest. Nearly 5 km in length, the road commands a double-barrelled panorama of the plains to the south and the snow capped mountains to the north. Comprising of five districts, Balun, Kathioang, Portreyn, Tehra and Bakrota, at heights ranging from 1,525 metres (5,000ft) and 2,738 metres (7,800 ft) Dalhousie's natural beauty, invigorating air, warm sunshine and quiet surrounding add, enchantment to its open and colourful valleys, level walks and treks amidst the dense forests. On a clear day, once can see the rivers - Chenab, Beas and Ravi, meandering down the rose grey vista of the valley hills while the snow capped ranges of Dhaula Dhar rise to awe-inspiring height of 5,490 metres (18-20,000 ft) to 6,405 metres (21,000 ft). Over 120 years old, it owes its name to Lord jemes Romsey, Marquis of Dalhousie who was born in 1812 and succeeded to the earldom at the age of 26 in 1838. He came to the attention of Sir Robert Peel who appointed the Scottish peer Vice President of the Board to Trade in 1843. His proposal to bring the railways under national control was shelved. However, Sir John Russell was favourably impressed with they young nobleman, and when the Liberals came to power, offered the young Tory the post of Governor General of India at the age of 35 in 1848, to succeed veteran Lord Hardinge. His first task was to ensure peace in Punjab.
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