Cong founder Hume's house forgotten

The bungalow was declared a heritage site in 2007

The palatial house is now known as ‘Shishey-wali-Kothi’because of profuse use of window glass all over the house. It stands above the Holly Lodge, residence of Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh, on the ascent of the Jakko peak.

Himachal Pradesh Congress celebrated 125th foundation day of the party at a state-level function on December 28 at Una. In Shimla, the function was held at its state party headquarter — Rajiv Bhawan, but nobody paid a visit to the house of its founder.

Congress museum

“We had in the past tried to convert the house into a Congress museum, but the idea did not fructify,” said state Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur here on Wednesday, while admitting that Congressmen rarely visit the place.

Hume, who was secretary of Revenue, Agriculture and Commerce during the British rule, bought the house and shifted here from Allahabad in 1881, according to old literature. It was while living here Hume conceived the idea of founding the Congress party, which came into being on December 28, 1885.

The house presently owned by a business family of Delhi was declared a heritage building in 2007.