Dear John,
It seems that "approximately from April to October", as Jane suggests,
is an acceptable answer to the question. It is very plausible that
exact dates of decamping of the Government of India for Simla
and returning to Calcutta hadn't existed in priciple.
I am not quite sure but a brief search in digital archive of the
British Parliament (http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/) suggests that
Simla hadn't been considered as the _official_ "summer residence" of
the Government of India but rather as a sort of "refuge". In the
database one can find rather caustic interpellations on the theme of
"Simla exodus" associated with different political, financial and
moral factors. So it may be rather safely suggested that these dates
might vary from year to year depending on weather conditions,
political considerations, etc.
*******
Commons Sitting
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA—COST OF ANNUAL CHANGE OF LOCATION.HC Deb 01 May
1884 vol 287 c1029 1029
MR. GORST asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he
will lay upon the Table of the House a Return showing the annual dates
since the transfer of the Government of India to the Crown in 1858, of
the migration of the Government of India from Calcutta to Simla, and
the dates of its return to Calcutta; and, the extra annual cost
imposed upon the taxpayers of India in consequence of this annual
migration of Government? He would also ask, Whether he will lay upon
the Table of the House a Return showing the ages of the respective
members of the Indian Council, their professions, the length of time
which each has resided or served in India, and the period which has in
each case elapsed since the termination of such residence or service?
§ MR. J. K. CROSS There are no materials at the India Office which
will enable me to give the first Return asked for; but the question
shall be submitted to the Government of India. The second Return shall
be presented, if the hon. and learned Member will move for it; and if
he will consult me as to the form of the Return, it shall be made as
complete as possible.
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1884/may/01/government-of-india-cost-of-annual#S3V0287P0_18840501_HOC_25
INDIA—EAST INDIA (REVENUE ACCOUNTS)—COMMITTEE.HC Deb 29 June 1865 vol 180 cc927-63 927
§ Considered in Committee.
MR. HENRY SEYMOUR said
...At present the Governor General and his council were compelled to
go to the hills in the hot season, and for six months in the year the
government of India was left practically in the hands of subordinate
officers. ...
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1865/jun/29/india-east-india-revenue-accounts
In the hot season, starting in April, the headquarters of the
government moved from New Delhi to Simla. Hill stations were a
prominent feature of British life in the subcontinent. There the wives
and children retreated and sat out the hot weather - with a number of
husbands taking leave and joining their families for a month or two -
they resided in hotels or rented or shared houses from the beginning
of April to the breaking of the monsoon in mid June or in some cases
they remained to the end of September.
http://mykhg.de/topics/india/hd-background.doc
Regards,
Yan Shapiro
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