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CHAIL - THE GREEN VENGEANCE OF A MAHARAJAH

© Ashish Kaul

Barring the few exceptions of rocky mountains and moonscapes, greenery is generic to mountains. But in Chail, the mountain lover will see an extreme manifestation of generic mountain qualities. Chail is the greenest hill station of Himachal Pradesh and also the quietest. The story behind Chail's creation is also unique. It finds its origin in the ego of the Maharajah of Patiala, who refused to succumb to the supremacy of British Shimla or the domineering spirit of the British Empire. Falling out of favour with the British aristocracy that inhabited Shimla, he left with a vow that he would create a hill station that exceeded Shimla in beauty. What he perhaps did not realise was that one day Shimla's popularity would be it's bane and that Chail would survive the ravages of popular tourism, much longer. Today, Shimla is reduced to a claim of beauty that is pass, even though it remains the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the seat of the State Government. And Chail remains on the top of mountain, crowned like a himalayan orchid, with the Chail Palace, which was once the home of a Polo playing Maharajah. The psychological inference is perhaps that 'truth shall prevail'. Chail has prevailed, even though it is tiny. Shimla is a story of glorious past. One that no longer rivals Chail in the sheer beauty of the Indian Himalayas that is typical at an altitude of near 8,000 feet. Furthermore, in the case of Chail, in terms of solicitude and greenery, it is a beauty that it makes one suspect that some surveyor goofed up when ascertaining the altitude.

There is some hard geographical evidence to support the belief that Chail will continue to retain its charm for many years. For starters, Shimla will continue to generate a higher 'top of mind awareness' in advertising terms, thereby attracting hoards of the filth that mass tourism generates. And Chail's proximity to Shimla, will ensure, that Chail gains at the expense of Shimla. Then, the fact that Chail's flattened mountain top is fully taken up by Chail Palace, will further ensure that no construction can happen in its immediate vicinity. Being at the mountain top and not on a hillside as Shimla has its obvious advantages. Moreover, the surrounding thick forest cover is bound to be conserved better, by the forest department. So being in the thick of a himalayan forest also has its obvious advantages. Furthermore, with lesser people finding accommodation, lesser printed and electronic space will be used for advertising Chail, hence protecting it from the greedy onslaught of commercial tourism.