Rothney Castle

Rothney Castle is a colonial-era heritage structure located on Jakhoo Hill in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1838 by Colonel Rothney and later owned by Allan Octavian Hume, it is historically significant as the residence where Hume conceived the idea of the Indian National Congress. The property is currently privately owned and largely inaccessible to the public, though its exterior and overgrown gardens can be viewed from outside. It remains an important symbol of India's political history and colonial architecture.

Visitors can expect to view the exterior of a historic but dilapidated colonial mansion situated on the steep slopes of Jakhoo Hill. The building is currently private property with restricted access, so entry inside is generally not permitted without special arrangement with the caretaker. The surrounding area features overgrown gardens, wildflowers, and bird activity. Visitors typically see the structure from the gate or while trekking to the nearby Jakhoo Temple.

Built in 1838 by Colonel Rothney, the castle was purchased by Dr Carte in 1843 and later by Arnold Mathews in 1854 before being acquired by Mitchell in 1867 who named it Rothney Castle. Allan Octavian Hume, a British civil servant and ornithologist, resided here from 1881 onwards and spent significant funds renovating it. It was at this residence that Hume conceived the idea of forming the Indian National Congress in 1885. Hume also assembled one of Asia's largest collections of stuffed birds here before donating them to the British Museum.

The castle is recognized as the birthplace of the Indian National Congress, making it a pivotal site in India's independence movement. In 2013, India Post issued a commemorative stamp featuring Rothney Castle as a tribute to A.O. Hume's contributions. It represents the intersection of colonial administration, scientific pursuit (ornithology), and political reform in late 19th-century India.