Dagshai – The Haunted Ghost Town of Himachal

Dagshai, the name will not ring a bell to many people.Not many would recognize it anymore, and why  wouldn't.  It is just another of numerous small villages located in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. It is not a famous tourist destination and not many people visit here. The little significance this place holds now is because of a small Army unit located here giving it the name of Dagshai Cantonment. Even a travel freak like me did not know anything about this tiny hamlet; until I  met my driver on the route of Solang valley, manali.We started to chit chat and he narreted a story about Dagshai cemetery. After reaching to my zostel in manali I searched it on internet and found that the story was true.

Dagshai ,the small village is located at a distance of about 11 kilometers from Solan in Himachal Pradesh; at an altitude of 5,689-foot (1,734 meters). It is one of the oldest known cantonment towns in India, founded by East India Company in 1847; when Bhupinder Singh, the then Maharaja of Patiala, granted them five villages completely free of cost. Dagshai was one of the five villages and the largest in terms of size and population; other four being Dabbi, Badhtiala, Chunawad and Jawag. East India company built their cantonment around these villages and named it after the largest village, Dagshai.

The cemetery

The name of the village is believed to have derived from Urdu word “Daag-e-Shahi”; literally translating to a “Royal Mark”. But this was not a mark of honor or pride but rather of shame. It was a mark that in Mughal times was put on prisoners or criminals who were then sent here to be incarcerated. Over time, the name slowly changed from “Daag-e-Shahi” to Dagshai which is what the British used for their cantonment; hence making it the official name.

So what is it really that makes Dagshai so special? This place is quite scenic with beautiful vistas all around but ironically, this is not what it is now known for. The little mention you will find of Dagshai anywhere will be in reference to it being one of the most haunted places in India. There are a few places here that have quite a gory past attached to them. Amid the thick forests that surround this tiny hamlet, it makes a perfect setting for a spooky ghost town; like the one you see in the movies.

Dagshai Cemetery

Devendra (driver) said there is nothing in Dagshai except for the cantonment; a few Army buildings, two schools, a cemetery and some local houses. Out of curiosity I asked " So" what exactly is haunted? You guessed it right, it is the cemetery that the ghost tales are related to.

Uncle continued When a person says "Ghost" the immediate thought is of a sinister and menacing entity, capable of hurting and even killing people. This however does not apply in case of Dagshai. The ghost of Dagshai is more on the angel side, that people seek blessings from.

The Ghost of Dagshai

Then he narreted the whole story , said  Back in the days of English, a certain Major George Weston and his wife resided in Dagshai. The major himself was a Doctor while his wife, Mary Rebeca Weston was a nursing assistant. Legend has it that both remained childless until a “Peer Baba” blessed them both with an amulet and soon after, Mary was able to conceive.

Their happiness however was short lived. Mary died either in 8th month of pregnancy (or during childbirth); with her unborn baby in December of 1909 and was buried at the cemetery here. Her husband, in order to show his undying love for his beautiful wife had a beautiful marble structure of a lady and their baby being blessed by an elf shipped all the way from England to be erected at her grave. The locals named and still called the grave of Mary as “Mem ki Qabr”. The words on the marble structure read “To the sacred and loving memory of my wife Mary Rebeca Weston who died at Dagshai, 10th December 1909 and our unborn Babe”

The Superstition and the Legend of Dagshai

Marble structure Before and now (after reconstruction)

Gradually over a period of time, what was actually a mother’s misfortune and a husband’s grief, turned in to a superstition. No one knows for certain how it all began but people started believing that if a pregnant woman chipped a piece of marble from the structure at the grave, she would have the blessings of Mary Rebeca Weston and will give birth to a baby boy. As the superstition grew, pregnant women from far and away started visiting the cemetery to be blessed; in hopes of giving birth to a boy rather than a girl. Final result, the beautiful marble structure was soon chipped away piece by piece and a poor woman’s grave was completely vandalized.

The marble structure protected by a cage now.

Sightings of the ghost of Mary Rebeca Weston at the cemetery at nights have been claimed by many people. Even if it is true, I cannot say that I blame her for haunting and standing guard to her own grave. Something that her husband so lovingly brought her from all the way from England was vandalized and reduced to broken pieces. On top of it people started praying to her for confirmation of a baby boy rather than a girl child. No wonder she has now taken things in her own hand and returned in form of a ghost. Who wouldn’t? Don't you agree?

Have you ever been to solan, H.P ? Been to the cemetery? How was your experience. Do share it in the comment box. My instagram handle is https://instagram.com/sinhadrabhilasha?igshid=fpx63b5ysvcc

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