This photograph of Dharamsala was taken by Samuel Bourne in the 1860s to form part of an album entitled 'Photographs of India and Overland Route'. Himalayan hill stations became the favoured retreats of the British in India during the nineteenth century due to the refreshing mountain climate, popular for their pleasant climates during the hot summer months. The spectacular views of forests of pines, firs and cedars with rows of snow capped peaks also suited the Victorian taste for the romantic pastoral. This region became a venue for leisure activities and the towns rapidly acquired an English character. Dharamsala was founded in 1855 and the church of St. John-in-the-Wilderness shown in the print was completed in 1860.
