Our Story - Dimple Lodge

Dimple Lodge is a historic property recognized as a heritage building by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.

ABout Us

Dimple Lodge is a result of the love and labour of four generations of the Kahlon Family. Over the years, the property has been carefully repaired, with only minor additions made to the original structure to accommodate modern conveniences. For instance, the original construction of the lodge did not include a kitchen or running hot and cold water, let alone showers. Cooking and food preparation were done on a hearth located behind the house rather than inside the original structure of the lodge.

The Kahlon family continues to reside at the property when it is not given over to guests. The lodge stands as a testament to the passage of time and has been carefully repaired ensuring the charm of the original structure stays intact

History

The property was originally built over a hundred years ago by a British army officer.

Records detailing the exact identity of the builder and the precise date of construction are either unavailable or unclear. However, the construction technique used for the primary supporting walls, known locally as ‘Dhajji Dewari,’ suggests that the building could be between one hundred and one hundred seventy-five years old. According to family legend, the British army officer who constructed the initial structure bore the surname “Stewart.”

As the years slipped away, the property eventually changed hands, though the exact timing is unknown, the Lodge was sold to a Nawab who had two wives.

This led to the construction of a second cottage. Both properties, Dimple Lodge and Dimple Cottage, were named after one of the Nawab’s wives, although it remains unclear which wife inspired the names.

After India gained independence, the Nawab chose to reside in Pakistan, and both properties were auctioned off to refugees settling in India. Dimple Lodge was purchased at auction by Mrs. Satinder Kaur, the wife of Mr. Gyan Singh Kahlon. Both were from prominent families in undivided Punjab, and Mr. Kahlon later became the Chief Secretary of the state of Punjab, India.