2021 · Q107
Initially, what was the purpose of setting up of the hill stations during the colonial period in India?
history-of-indiaeuropeans-british-expansion
- ATo serve as winter capitals for the British
- BTo serve the needs of the British army
- CTo source timber from forests
- DTo set up sanatoria
Explanation
Hill stations such as Shimla, Darjeeling and Ooty were initially developed during the colonial period to serve the needs of the British army — providing cool cantonments and recuperation centres for troops. They were not originally founded as winter capitals, timber depots or civilian sanatoria, though those functions developed later. Hence serving the needs of the British army was the initial purpose.