The formal drawing room of the house is a space of beautiful proportions which creates an atmosphere of subtle grandeur. Pillars of Burma teak, crystal chandeliers, a grand piano and antique carpets immediately catch the eye. The walls are adorned with huge ornately carved antique mirrors, oil paintings, family portraits, larger than life Flemish and French tapestries and wallpaper which dates back to the 1940’s. The collection of antique brass, marble statutery, porcelain and jade adds to the ambience.

Apart from the architectural and aesthetic nuances, the room is replete with history. In 1838 when the house was known as “Secretary’s lodge” and served as the office premises to the Governor General, the “Simla Manifesto” a declaration of war on Afghanistan, was signed in this very room by Lord Auckland, ambassadors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the exiled Afghan king Shah Shuja to install the latter on the throne of Kabul. When the ill fated military campaign ended in disaster the declaration of retreat was also signed within these walls in 1842.