Himalayan hill stations built by British colonial officers to shelter them from the fierce Indian summer and remind them of the house should be restored to its former glory by a new generation of middle class Indians eager to take pleasure a similar lifestyle.

Government officials in Himachal Pradesh, home to some of the most evocative cities summer Raj, including Simla, Dalhousie and McLeod Ganj, has lifted the ban on foreigners have houses.

Property developers and members of the increasingly wealthy middle classes Delhi are queuing up to restore the faded grandeur of Victorian houses many summer Himachal Pradesh and to build new bungalows at the original plans.

The restoration of one of the most powerful symbols of colonial rule reflects the increasing confidence of the middle classes of India and previously suppressed admiration for the style in which the British lived.

Prices are increasing rapidly.

A three bedroom bungalow in need of some restoration will bring approximately £ 70.000, while a 10-bedroom home recently sold for £ 300.000.

Hill stations such as Simla and Darjeeling in the northeast was “discovered” in the mid 19th century the British officers who saw them as ideal shelters, summer family from the heat and dust of the plains.

Gothic churches with stained glass windows were built along with schools, racecourses, cricket grounds and private clubs for officers, tea pots and their wives.

From 1864 to independence in 1947, Simla was summer capital of India. Fans say whether the British are trying to recreate home counties England or Highland holiday towns. Many houses have features of both. What made them different were the terraces, where the colonials would drop the teak and cane chairs, drinking a bit (gin and lime) which looked at the snowy peaks of the high Himalayas.

According to Ruskin Bond, a writer who was born to British parents in India and has lived most of his life in Simla and Mussoorie hill stations, each town had a different reputation.

“Mussoorie was a totally corrupt, gay place in the old-fashioned sense. Hotels like the Savoy had dances and balls where the Indian princes would come,” he recalled.

“Mussoorie had a racier social life than Simla, where the viceroy was looking over your shoulder – should be on your best behavior.

If you want a lover goes away, you came to Mussoorie.”

Himachal Pradesh has banned outside buyers to defend the interests of local residents, but officials are now unwilling to lose the property boom in India.

YR Sharma, secretary of housing, these developments should be sensitive to heritage. “The legacy of Raj is a big attraction for many people. We still transfer British traditions, British manners here.”

Deependra Singh Rathore, a Delhi developer, plans to build an apartment and cottage complex model of Viceregal Simla Lodge. “Every building in British India is excellent, love the design and the lifestyle that went with it,” he said.

“Our parents were influenced by the British – the way they dressed, the morning cup of tea. We must not avoid it, they did well. I am now targeting [India] people who want to live life that much.

Summer house restoration