Jubbal

Jubbal is one of those places that has more history per square metre than most towns in Himachal, yet almost nobody comes here on purpose. It sits on the main road from Shimla to Rohru, about 90 km from the state capital, and most people who pass through are on their way to Kharapathar, Rohru, or Chanshal Pass. That is a mistake worth correcting, because Jubbal has the most interesting building in this entire stretch of the hills.

The Jubbal Palace sits on a 4 acre compound surrounded by pine and deodar forest. It was designed by a French architect in 1930 for the ruling family of the Jubbal princely state, and the result is something you do not see anywhere else in Himachal: a building that blends Chinese, Indian, and European architecture in a way that should look confused but somehow does not. The lower portion is built with sandstone, the upper sections use enormous quantities of deodar timber from the surrounding forest, and the modern wing has Indo European panelling work on the ceilings. The whole thing is painted cream with sloping roofs and red chimneys.

The main entrance is through a massive wooden door, about 18 feet high and 7 feet wide, covered with copper and studded with coins. Inside (when access is available, which is not guaranteed), there are carved timber facades, suspended attics, signed photographs of historical figures, old furniture, an impressive collection of ancient guns used by the royal family, and a library with Sanskrit and Persian manuscripts. The palace is partly private, still home to descendants of the Jubbal rulers, so access to the interiors depends on the day and the family's schedule. Confirm locally before assuming you can walk in. The exterior and grounds are generally viewable.

The princely state of Jubbal goes back to roughly 1100 AD. The ruling family belonged to the Rathore clan of Rajputs, tracing their lineage to Kannauj. For centuries, Jubbal was one of 18 small princely states in the valleys of the Sutlej, Pabbar, and Giri rivers, and it held considerable importance because of its dense deodar forests, which were valuable long before apples became the main crop. The royal family lived in the palace until 1977, when a part was reportedly converted into a heritage hotel, though the current operational status of that hotel is something you should check directly before planning an overnight stay.

Today, the town is small and functional. A market area, a couple of dhabas, a bus stand, and apple orchards spreading in every direction. The orchards around Jubbal are part of what locals call the Golden Apple Belt, the same belt that runs through Kotkhai, Kharapathar, and onward to Rohru. During harvest season (roughly September to November), the hillsides are heavy with Rich Red and Royal Delicious, and the road is lined with crates of apples heading to mandis across north India.

The drive from Shimla to Jubbal (about 3 to 4 hours via Theog and Kotkhai) passes through some of the most productive apple country in the state. The road is paved but narrow, with rough patches in sections. After Jubbal, the road continues to Kharapathar (about 14 km) and then on to Hatkoti (about 20 km from Jubbal) and Rohru. This stretch is the entry point to the Pabbar Valley, and Jubbal is the first town with any real character on the route.

Honest framing. Jubbal is not a destination where you spend three days. It is a half day stop, or an overnight if you want to explore at a slower pace. The palace is the main draw. The orchards are the setting. The town itself is quiet, practical, and small. But if you are driving from Shimla toward the Pabbar Valley, stopping at Jubbal to see the palace, walking through the orchard roads, and then continuing to Hatkoti and Rohru, you get a sequence of experiences that no other route from Shimla offers: princely history, ancient temples, apple country, and a river valley, all in one drive.