Surveyor’s Stone at Bhadraj, Mussoorie : 24^th March’2015

It is surprising that none of the tourists to Mussoorie know of a 200-year-old Surveyor’s Stone at the Bhadraj Hill just 18 kms from Mussoorie. Ever since I came to know of it thru a photo exhibition I saw in Mussoorie last year, I was looking for a trip to Bhadraj....and today was the day.

I started at 6 AM with my beloved Bullet 4161 and reached Dudhli Village via Mussoorie and Clound’s End by 8. The bullet ride always fascinates me and in the morning to Mussoorie and beyond makes my mood.
The freakish contrast between the thickly forested northern slopes and the totally bare grassland on southern slope immediately drew my attention. A line appears to have been drawn by free hand dividing it by a ridge. From Dudhli the 5 kms trek to Bhadraj temple was all fun listening to FM Rainbow and getting updates of semi final between NZ and SA. Cool breeze accompanied me all the way to Bhadraj. Full bloom Rhododendron flowers and glittering Silver Oak made an awesome scene all the way. I reached by 10.30. The idols in the temple have a Buddhist touch as this region including eastern Himachal was once under heavy Buddhist influence.

 “Surveyor’s Stone” was located in the periphery of the Bhadraj temple. This Stone, a relic, is inscribed with the names of the Surveyors and VIP Visitors of that period and stands as a historical testimony to the work done by them in India.

The Himalayan region’s description was very patchy and incorrect at the onset of the 19th century and the East India Company was also keen to map the Indian

peninsula to ascertain their area of control and feel proud for it. Thus Survey of India was established. The Great Trigonometry Survey was started by British surveyor Col. William Lambton in 1802. It was started from St.Thomas Mount, Chennai to Bhadraj Hill in Mussoorie. Many surveyors visited this point in 1813/1814 and they mapped this region very accurately.

Some of the initials carved out on the stone include that of JSB John Boldero, Joint magistrate of Sahranpoor 1813-15, WLG Wiliam Linnaeus Gardner (1770-1835) and John Anthony Hodgson (1777-1848). At the lower right hand corner, cut into the rock, is the inscription of Lady Hood 1814. She was wife of Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, a British Naval officer Commanding 1st British East Indies Naval fleet.

I enjoyed my one hour stay on top and returned back to watch on TV the wonderful finish by NZ to enter in finals in WC.
If you are interested in this trek, reach Dudhli village by car or bike. You can also do an extended trek starting from Library at Mussoorie.
From Dudhli it is 4.5 kms gradual ascent to Bhadraj passing thru scenery you must not have seen in your entire life.

If you enjoy playing flute or mouth-organ, do carry it with you. For further details or assistance, I may be contacted on my mobile no 09639931833.

 “We travel not to escape life….but for life not to escape us”