Its a mf castle.

History of Gorton Castle in ShimlaGorton Castle was constructed in the year 1904. The building was designed by one of the best British architects of that time, Sir Swinton Jacob. The architecture of this castle was inspired by the Neo-Gothic style. Sir Swinton Jacob was working as a consulting engineer in Jaipur. This well known architect and engineer of the colonial India earned fame for his masterpiece architectures that had the blending of Islamic, Hindu and western traditions”. Many important buildings of colonial India such as Albert Hall (Jaipur), Lalgarh Palace (Bikaner), St. Stephen’s College (Delhi) etc. were designed by him. When there was need of a Government Secretariat in their summer capital, Shimla, Swinton Jacob was given the responsibility by Lord Curzon.The design was liked a lot by Lord Curzon. The design of the castle complemented its high location and wonderful surroundings. The land on which the castle was built was originally the place donated for building a hospital. The castle was named as Gorton Castle after the name of the original owner of this site, Mr. Gorton, an ICS. The land changed hands thrice and was then purchased by Sir James Walker, a banker, on payment of Rs. 80,000. When the site was taken for building Government Secretariat, he was given another land for hospital construction. The land was acquired by the government for its officials after persuading Sir Walker a lot.Architecture of Gorton CastleSituated on the top of the hill, Gorton Castle is built over an area that has dimension of 400 ftx100 ft. The castle has three stories and houses 125 rooms of various sizes. The castle is surrounded by timber blocks mostly of Rosewood. The blocks were bought from Andaman under the supervision of Mr. B. Ribbertrop, Forest Department Head. For constructing the building, grey stones from Sanjauli, Himachal Pradesh, were used. The roofs of the castle were made with red tiles. Later on the red tiles got replaced with red iron sheets (galvanized). The main entrance of the castle resembled like a chalet and there was a large portico having a wonderful fresco. The side of the castle had bay windows. High towers surmounted the stone walls of the castle. The red iron roof of the castle gave it a look of fairy-tale castles.The castle was mounted on a hilltop surrounded by huge Deodar Trees and it could be seen from very far off. The balconies of Gorton Castle were decorated with innovatively designed net (jari) work of Rajasthan which still grabs the eyes of the onlookers. Many departments of the British India e.g. Health, Education, Finance, Home etc., were run from here.Location of Gorton CastleGorton Castle can be easily reached because it is located at the center of the city, the Mall Road. From any part of the Shimla Town, this castle can be easily reached.How to Reach Gorton CastleFor reaching the Gorton Castle, travelers have to use the Cart Road from the Railway Station. They can walk down to the Mall through this road and on the way they will find Gorton Castle. One has to drive only 500 m to reach the castle. Travelers would enjoy walking down to this castle. Those who are coming to visit the castle from outside Shimla can actually get into private or public buses that run on frequent basis. Taxis/cabs can also be hired to reach here.

Although one is not allowed to enter the building, the compound is free of cost to visit. The area is well maintained and it offers age old British Architectural designs.

This is a heritage building built by britishers. At present this building is the office of the ACCOUNTANTS GENERAL. In Shimla this is the center of attraction among visitors. Every day hundreds of visitors come here.

It is a British time heritage building built in 1905. It served as Central Secretariat for some time during pre independence era. It now houses office of the Accountant General of Himachal Pradesh State, a subordinate office of Comptroller & Auditor General of India. Presently building is under major renovation work being done by the Central Public Works Department of Govt. of India. It is sad that major portion of this building got destroyed by fire in January, 2014.

The office of the Accountants General, Himachal Pradesh is housed in Gorton Castle Building perched on the top of its own hill. Gorton Castle is a very imposing structure originally constructed in the 19th century and named after its owner, Mr. Gorton, ICS, in 1840. After his death, the building passed on to various hands and lastly was owned by Sir James Walker, who wished to make it a hospital but proposal was later rejected due to non-suitability of site. Then the Government of India, purchased this building for Rs. 1,20,000 in 1900. The new building in present state was constructed in the year 1901-04 at a cost of Rs 11 lakhs under supervision of Maj H.F.

Best architectural Building of 18th Century which was destroyed partly in a fire outbreak. Now new construction is going on..

Nice place and awesome center

Amazing heritage property

Good arch

Originally constructed in the year 1904. This landmark castle boasts neo-Gothic architecture.

Very nice place

The Castle is well built, it is a good location for tourists trying to spend their leisure time and seeing something new

Nice castle.

Fantastic building of accommodated Office of the Pr. AG ,

Its one of the grand heritage buildings in India constructed at the British Era in 1904 situated at the peak place behind the HP State Assembly.... Convenient to reach up to.After independence it was the Central Secretariat but later on it was used by IA&AD.

Youre allowed to see the entrance and around the building. Thats all the Gothic style exposed to the public. Sadly you arent allowed inside as its some Admin Office.

Beautiful heritage building.

It is Indian Audit and Accounts Department Office building Shimla

Gorton Castle, Shimla, originally designed by Col. Sir S. Swinton Jacob, modified by Major H. F. Chesney. 1901-04. Built of stone set in lime, with red galvanized iron roofing, and located on the The Mall in Shimla. Jacob, who drew up the original plan for this building, had the reputation of being the best professional architect in India (Lord Curzons words, qtd. in Kanwar 308).Gorton Castle is encircled by rosewood like timber blocks which were brought from Andaman Islands. Solid grey Sanjauli stone was used in the construction of the building and a red tile roof, which was replaced by galvanized red iron sheet roof. The Rajasthan jaali work on its balconies is the main attraction of this Castle.Today, the castle is used as the office of the Accountant General of Himachal Pradesh. It is a perfect illustration of the rich history and heritage of India during the colonial era. The monument is built according to the Neo-Gothic type of architecture and exudes the vibe of a fairy tale with its characteristic features. The Gorton Castle is located on a hilltop and is surrounded by tall lush green Deodar trees.

The building under repairs. May take 2 -3 yrs to complete. Once done it will be excellent model of architecture. It was from here British India Govt Secretariat worked before 1947.

Historical building under fresh renovations due to fire

A wonderful World Class Heritage Building.. I love this Building and Specially the Location where this building Situated

A wonderful World Class Heritage Building.. I love this Building and Specially the Location where this building Situated

This place is now an official building , not open for tourist,u can check for yourself and waste ur time.

Its a good place

Historical and beautiful building

Nice place to visit

Good old architectural views but public facilities are worst here. An important historic place, very very Poorly managed.

Very old Architecturel building repairs are going on top floor due to shot circuit

Now its called AG office, beautiful building and under repair.

Civil Secretariate during British regime. Heritage building constructed around year 1900 is one of wonderful Engineering and architecture work.

Fortunate to having worked from this historic building Gorton Castle. This was the Summer Secretariat of British Raj in India as Shimla being the Summer Capital of India in those days. Really this building is a glorifying example of Civil Engineering.

Its a marvel to wonder... A must visit

Good architecture and good location..

Its a historic building that houses AG office. At present undergoing restoration work .

Not open for sight seeing. Tge walking up n downbon maal roads slopes suck.

Iconic old building of Shimla now houses Auditor Generals Office

Nice place in mall road of shimla....

Very nice building and good co-operative staff

Now serving as AG office of Himachal Pradesh, Gorton Castle, Shimla was originally designed by Col. Sir S. Swinton Jacob, modified by Major H. F. Chesney during 1901-04. Built of stone set in lime, with red galvanized iron roofing, and located on the The Mall in Shimla. This landmark castle boasts neo-Gothic architecture.Jacob, who drew up the original plan for this building, had the reputation of being the best professional architect in India (Lord Curzons words, qtd. in Kanwar 308). So it was natural for him to be chosen to design what was then intended to be the new Government Secretariat in Simla. Jacobs plan was just to Curzons liking, and ideally suited to the commanding, airy hilltop plot which had originally been donated to the government for a hospital. Although the plan had to be modified later by the Resident Engineer, Major Chesney, the prominent four-storey structure still looked much as both Jacob and Curzon had intended. Pamela Kanwar describes it well as a picturesque, multi-faceted building. As she says, The entrance has a chalet-like appearance with a large portico with a decorative frieze. Its sides have prominent bay windows. Its solid grey stone walls are surmounted by square as well as high-pitched pointed towers (308, 309). Red galvanized iron roofing is common to many other buildings in Shimla, but in this case it adds to a fairytale feel; seen from a distance, its red towers stand out brightly amid the surrounding deodar trees.

Shimla has...has lot of. beautiful places nd this is one of them ...

Like 5 star hotel

This place is added in tourist places but this is an govt. Office and it has restricted entry.

You can see only outside... Not from inside

Also known as AG office.

Superb feeling, my departmental head office ,

Very beautiful place

Its a Heritage building which houses the office of the Accountants General of Himachal Pradesh who look into Audit and Accounting and Entitlement related functions.

We were told that this is not a public place. We were not allowed to go inside.

It is old heritage building of British era.Now AG office HP is established here.

Remindes me of 80s movies

Nice place heritage site

You are not allowed to visit . It is a office.

Now it is AGs office and entry is restricted.

Best AG of india

Its an auditor general office now

Its a government office, not a tourist place

Great picture

View is great

Too good

AG office. not for visitors

Its Accountant General Office

Best Tourist place in Shimla

This building is now the office of Pr. Accountant General, Himachal Pradesh

It was closed. No notice.

This is my office building

People called horror place but not like that.

Historical building of shimla

CAG office Heritage Property

Good

Nice place

Wonderful building

Architecture marvel 😊

Its a govt. Building...

Beautiful place

Beautiful

FULL ENJOY

Accountant general office

Beautiful

Its an Accountant General Office

Great

It is historical building in Shimla

Architecture of the building

Accountant General Office.

Its an heritage building

Nice place

Nice

Cool

Ag offc

Used as a AG office

Nice

Good

Shimla was beautiful

AG office

Lovely

View 😍

Nice

❤️❤️❤️

Dr durbal yadav