During the 17th century, driven by unsettled political conditions, some Rajput families from Rewari (in present day Haryana) fled their homes. They took refuge in the lower Himalayas, finally settling down at a village called Kasul where there was a perennial spring of fresh water. Today, some three centuries later, the spring is the site of a water reservoir and Kasul has grown into the delightful little hill station of Kasauli. But some locals would believe that Kasauli comes from Kausalya, a mountain stream that flows between Kasauli and Jabli. The name might even have been derived from Kusmawali or Kusmali, meaning flower maiden. Given the abundance with which the hills of Kasauli bloom from spring to autumn, this could well be the truth.

History
The calm and peaceful air of Kasauli belies any sense of history. Yet this region was in the thick of the westward Gurkha expansion, stemmed with some difficulty by the joint efforts of the British and some local chieftains, in 1814. The Gurkha ceded the fort at Sabathu and this was turned into a convalescent home for British nationals. Some time later the Governor-General, Lord Amherst, decided to develop Shimla Hills as a summer gateway for the British establishment and Col. Tapp, political agent at Sabathu, came to survey the Kasauli area.

The 1857 Indian War of Independence stirred the hearts of the Kasauli Guard, numbering about eighty Indian soldiers. Receiving news that the Gurkha Regiment at nearby Jutogh has also risen in revolt, the garrison at Kasauli set out to join them. Before the two could combine and pose a serious threat, the British agent talked the Gurkha Regiment into submission, on promise of a general pardon. The Kasauli Guard found themselves completely isolated. So far from being pardoned, they were severely punished for their insurgence.

Settlements
The settlement of Kasauli really began with the efforts of Sir Henry Lawrence, who also started the famous Lawrence School at Sanawar. He and his wife built themselves a cottage named Sunny Side. It was the first cottage to be built at Kasauli and stands to this day.

Kasauli remains a cantonment where the army is a living presence; one reason why everything is so clean. The heart of Kasauli, mercifully, has not been overrun by hotels and apartment blocks.

Flora & Fauna
Some of the private gardens in Kasauli are ablaze with color and the very air is redolent of pine. Indeed most of the hillsides are covered with pine and the ground underfoot is thickly carpeted with resin rich needles. There are oaks too, and rhododendron, firs, horse chest hut, wild cherry and several varieties of deciduous trees. Which is why spring is so beautiful at Kasauli, with the trees and bushes turning the most delicate shades of pink and green and silver as they unfurl new leaves to the sky. Zinnias, dahlias and morning glory must have been scattered so much seed long ago and now they have the run of the hillsides along with wild flowers.

Where the habitat is largely undisturbed, Kasauli is rich in birds. But leopards, once fairly common in this area are rarely to be seen. The handsome Shimla Fox is also rare, but not so the ghooral, jungle cat and jackal.

Places to Visit
The highest point at Kasauli, known as Monkey Point, is now with the IAF and the site of new family apartment blocks for IAF personnel. Monkey Point commands a panoramic view of the hills, valleys and plains below, with the meandering Sutlej and, far away, the city of Chandigarh.

Lawrence School at Sanawar, six kilometers away, rich in tradition and a world in itself, also attracts tourists. The temple of Nahari Devi, which overlooks a waterfall, is also worth a visit. Nothing has so far affected the fall, not the severest drought or driest summer.

Around town, one can look for the graves of the two Chinese POWs who died here. Or try to find out the names of the two brothers who perished fighting the forest fire that ravaged Kasauli at the turn of the century. Or find the old time mailbox with a cast iron crown on top, a relic of the British Postal Service.

Recreation
The two main walks around Kasauli, the Upper and Lower Mall are beautiful. The residents of Kasauli walk a lot, for Kasauli was always short on city attractions and meant for getting about on your own two feet, in communion with nature or if you are lucky, a walking partner. The somewhat steep Upper Mall takes you past an important landmark, the Kasauli Club. Founded in 1880 as the ‘Kasauli Reading and Assembly Rooms’, it was later converted into Kasauli Club. Initially the club provided accommodation to men only, women not being permitted unless it was very cold or if accommodation was going a-begging. Famous for its six tennis courts, its lavish ‘tennis teas’ and gala Saturday Nights, the club suddenly found itself posed for dissolution in 1947. But saved by the breadth of a hair, it survived to celebrate its centenary in 1980.

Getting There
Delhi is connected to Chandigarh by air. From Chandigarh it is a little more than an hour by road to Kasauli. Buses connect Kasauli to many major cities of north India. Private taxis are also available between; to Kalka and proceed by bus to Kasauli, less than an hour away.

Where To Stay
There is a PWD rest house and a number of private hotels. There is also the HPTDC run Hotel Ros Common, which is very popular. Prior booking is advisable.