During the 17th century, driven by unsettled political conditions, some Rajput families from Rewari (in present day Haryana) fled their homes.
They took refuge in the lower Himalayas, finally settling down at a village called Kasul where there was a perennial spring of fresh water.
Today, some three centuries later, the spring is the site of a water reservoir and Kasul has grown into the delightful little hill station of Kasauli. But some locals would believe that Kasauli comes from Kausalya, a mountain stream that flows between Kasauli and Jabli. The name might even have been derived from Kusmawali or Kusmali, meaning flower maiden. Given the abundance with which the hills of Kasauli bloom from spring to autumn, this could well be the truth.
The settlement of Kasauli really began with the efforts of Sir Henry Lawrence, who also started the famous Lawrence School at Sanawar. He and his wife built themselves a cottage named Sunny Side. It was the first cottage to be built at Kasauli and stands to this day.
History
The calm and peaceful air of Kasauli belies any sense of history. Yet this region was in the thick of the westward Gurkha expansion, stemmed with some difficulty by the joint efforts of the British and some local chieftains, in 1814. The Gurkha ceded the fort at Sabathu and this was turned into a convalescent home for British nationals. Some time later the Governor-General, Lord Amherst, decided to develop Shimla Hills as a summer gateway for the British establishment and Col. Tapp, political agent at Sabathu, came to survey the Kasauli area.
The 1857 Indian War of Independence stirred the hearts of the Kasauli Guard, numbering about eighty Indian soldiers. Receiving news that the Gurkha Regiment at nearby Jutogh has also risen in revolt, the garrison at Kasauli set out to join them. Before the two could combine and pose a serious threat, the British agent talked the Gurkha Regiment into submission, on promise of a general pardon. The Kasauli Guard found themselves completely isolated. So far from being pardoned, they were severely punished for their insurgence.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing
Kasauli enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. Though the place can be visited throughout the year, the ideal time is during the summer months when the hill resort beats the heat of the plains. Cotton clothing is apt for the summer months whereas woolens are required for the winters.
