An Englishman who became the king of the hills, spoke Garhwali, today tourists reach the hill station built by him.

Frederick Wilson, who was called the “King of the Hills” by the local people, came to India in the 1840s. Wilson had served in the army of the British East India Company, but reportedly left the army around the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 and fled to the Garhwal Himalayas. It is believed that during his journey he reached the Bhagirathi valley, where he settled in Harshil, a small village situated on the banks of river Jad Ganga.

The natural beauty and solitude of Harsil attracted Wilson a lot. He built a simple wooden house near the Bhagirathi River in Mukhba village, which is still known as “Wilson Cottage”. Wilson adopted the local Garhwali culture and soon married two local girls. He was an Englishman who also spoke Garhwali language.

Wilson played the most important role in Harshil’s development. He had to start apple orcharding there. Wilson imported high quality apple seeds and saplings from Europe and grew them in the harsh climate. The fertile soil and cool climate of Harshil and surrounding villages proved to be perfectly suitable for apple cultivation. This was one of the earliest successful attempts at cultivating Himalayan apple in India. Today Harshil’s apple is famous, which was started by Wilson.

Wilson not only grew apples but also paid attention to their commercialization. He established systematic trade routes to transport his produce to big cities like Dehradun and Mussoorie. Although he cut down several lakh trees in 600 acres, his venture was very successful and soon Harsil’s apples became famous throughout North India for their quality. This business became a new source of income for the local people, revolutionizing the economy of Harsil.

Along with apples, Wilson also played an important role in the timber trade. He developed an efficient system for transporting timber to the plains below via the Bhagirathi River. Additionally, Wilson’s adventurous spirit led him to try his hand at pursuits such as hunting and mining. Wilson took a timber contract from the Raja of Tehri and then employed local people to cut cedar wood. With time, Wilson became a big timber trader. He made his mark here as an influential contractor. All these activities made Wilson the undisputed controller of the local economy, cementing his reputation as “King”. However, many people also consider him a villain because of exploiting nature.

Over time, Harshil became known not only for its apples, but also because of Wilson’s story and its captivating natural beauty. Being situated on the route to Gangotri Dham, it has always been an important stop for pilgrims. The economic prosperity and better connectivity brought about by Wilson turned it into a popular tourist destination, where even today tourists from within the country and abroad come to experience the serene atmosphere and natural views.

Frederick Wilson died in 1892 and was buried in the Cemetery on Camel Back Road, Mussoorie. Harshil still cherishes his legacy. The apple trees he planted still bear fruit, and his “Wilson Cottage” is a popular tourist attraction. Harsil is now a peaceful, picturesque hill station famous for its natural beauty, apple orchards and historical importance. Wilson transformed this remote village into an economically vibrant and globally recognized destination and that is why his story and contribution still lives on in the folklore of the mountains.