Jatogh and Bishop Cotton School Simla | Travel and Sightseeing

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Bishop Cotton School Simla/Wikipedia

Bishop Cotton School Simla is one of the oldest boys’ boarding schools in Asia, founded 166 years ago, founded in 28th July 1859. It was founded by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, who was a scholar of Westminster and had studied at the Cambridge University. He was represented as the Model School Master in the famous book Tom Brown’s School Days. The School was open for admissions on 15th of March 1863 and the first student, Frederick Naylor was enrolled the next day. South end of Knollswood Spur was chosen for the site of the School. The area was acquired from the Raja of that place by the interventions of the Viceroy.

The Foundation was laid by the then Viceroy, Sir John Lawrence, who was a brother of Sir Heny Lawrence, founder of the Lawrence School, Sanawar near Barog.

In September 1868, the school moved to Knollswood.

Jatogh is a suburb of Simla, located at the height of 1729 metres (5673 feet). If on stands on the Westrn edge of the lawns of the Viceregal Lodge on Summer Hill, one can see the hills of Jatogh, hich present a picturesque in the evening mist after light showers at the time of sunset. It has a Cantt Board Public Garden.

Jatogh hills are covered with fruits and flowers which are used to prepare local fruit and flower wines which can be openly purchased from the local stores on the Mall Road.

Jatogh was occupied by the British in 1843. A Gorkha Regiment was housed here. After the Bishop Cotton School was built, the land was given over to the School. However, it was return to the army because it was not found suitable for the School. Later, regiments of the British Mountain artillery and infantry were housed here.

One can see these places from Simla. For staying, the Mall Road at Simla is the best place. October is the best time to go there.