Simla, a British sanatorium, the headquarters of the British government in India during the hot months of summer, stands on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, in a beautiful situation, 170 miles N. of Delhi. Its first house was built in 1819, and it was first visited officially by the Indian government in 1827, having since 1864 been regularly made its headquarters every summer. There are here two viceregal residences (the newer one built in 1886), handsome government buildings (1884), a fine town-hall (1886), several European schools, and various public institutions. Population 13,800 in winter, and considerably more in summer.—The district has an oath of allegiance to the empire, and by the year 1869 had become one of the most popular chiefs of the Republican party. He was minister of Public area of 81 sq. m. and a population of 50,000.—The name Simla Hill States is given to twenty-three native states, all small, in the neighbourhood of Simla. Their united area is 6570 sq. m., and their population is over half a million.