The Story of Frederick Wilson: The King of Harsil

My curiosity about writing a blog on Frederick Wilson blossomed unexpectedly one evening. I had been listening to Narindra Singh Negi’s beautiful song, "Nathu Wilson Aur Ruda Gudori," and the captivating melodies and lyrics swept me into a world I wanted to explore. Thank you, Shri Narindra Singh Negi, for this inspiration! After reading this blog, I urge you to listen to the song—I’ll pin the link below. You’ll find both English and Hindi versions of this blog, making it accessible to everyone.

Frederick Wilson: The King of Harsil

Frederick Wilson, known by many names such as Harsil ka Raja, Pahari Wilson, or Shikari Wilson, is a legendary figure in Uttarakhand. Officially, he is Frederick Wilson. He was a clever man who married a beautiful Pahadi girl named Gulabi.

Biography of Frederick Wilson

Frederick Wilson, from Wakefield, a charming city in Yorkshire located on the River Calder, Frederick's journey took a dramatic turn. Some reports suggest he joined the East India Company, but after World War I he escaped the army in 1838–39. Then he came to the Bhagirathi valley, where he found a very beautiful village (Harsil), and he loved to live there.

Initially, the villagers were apprehensive of him, as he started hunting deer and selling their skins back to England. Yet he didn’t work alone; he took some villagers under his wing, teaching them the trade, which helped build their trust over time.

As Frederick settled in, he turned his attention to the majestic cedar trees of the Himalayas. The British government needed cedar wood for railway construction in India. Frederick devised a unique method for transporting the wood: he cut the trees and floated the logs down the Bhagirathi River. His workers would then collect the wood once it reached Haridwar. This innovative approach quickly made him wealthy.

At first, Frederick didn’t seek permission from the Raja of Tehri, Sudarshan Shah, but eventually, he began offering him money. With this newfound relationship, the cutting of cedar trees accelerated, and Frederick Wilson became the powerful king of Harsil—a position of influence that even the Raja of Tehri could not control.

Frederick Wilson married two women: Raimata Wilson and Gulabi Wilson. Together, they had three sons: Nathaniel (Nathu Wilson), Charles, and Henry. He also built the Charlie Villa Hotel in Mussoorie, which now serves as the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy for training Indian Administrative Service officers.

A Visit to Harsil | harsil valley from delhi

When you think of Harsil, you cannot overlook the famous Wilson House and the stunning Mandakini Waterfall, where the iconic scenes of the film Ram Tere Ganga Maili were shot. If you’re planning a trip, Harsil is approximately 490 km from Delhi. You can reach Dehradun and then hire a taxi to take a local taxi to Harsil Valley.