Later, the building was turned into the governor's residence.

During the 1981 fire, then governor Aminuddin Ahmed Khan managed a narrow escape from the flaming building. He lost all his belongings and was left with only the clothes he was wearing.

When it was burnt down, Barnes Court was made the governor's residence and continues to be so.

The Peterhoff was rebuilt in 1992-93 and converted into a state-run guest house-cum-hotel.

A senior BJP leader said special arrangements have also been made for party leaders to visit the other imperial buildings that were once institutions of power when this hill town was the summer capital of British India.

The 'Queen of Hills', as Shimla was fondly called by the British, has 91 British-era heritage buildings in typical Tudor style -- all wooden frames and shingled eaves.