British-era cemeteries in Shimla on the verge of disappearing

Located amidst Shimla’s historical monuments and heritage sites, these centuries-old cemeteries were once used as burial grounds during the British era.

Even today, they contain the remains of many prominent British individuals, serving as a reminder of Shimla’s colonial past.

Shimla has a total of five cemeteries— Oakover (the oldest in the city), Kanlog, Sanjauli, the nuns’ cemetery in Nav Bahar; and the cemetery near the old bus stand. The cemetery near the old bus stand has completely disappeared due to rapid construction and expansion, while the remaining cemeteries are also on the verge of extinction.

Established in 1850, Kanlog cemetery was one of the most important cemeteries in Shimla at the time and served as a burial ground for both Christian and Parsi communities. It remained active for several decades and was finally closed in 1920. To ensure the preservation of the cemetery, the Himachal Pradesh High Court, in 2023, directed the state government’s Heritage Committee to inspect the site and prohibited any new construction in the surrounding area.