Activities/ Places to Visit

At MS Resorts, we think that to truly appreciate Mussoorie, a little history lesson is a must! Let’s jump back a little over 200 years ago. Imagine there are no colonial buildings, no markets, and nothing else but just lush greenery everywhere. Back then, the lands were occupied by ethnic tribes and communities whose only source of livelihood was agriculture. The shepherds had their cattle grazing on the “Mansūr” shrub which is what the town is named after. 

In the early 19th century, a lieutenant of the British East India Company and the founder of the Sirmoor Battalion, Frederick Young, came to these hills to hunt for some game. Upon his arrival, Young was so captivated by his surroundings that he decided to build himself a hunting lodge on Camel Back Road which was also the very first construction in Mussoorie. In 1827, the company declared Mussoorie as a convalescent zone on Young’s recommendation, following which Young built his residence “Mullingar” in Landour. The house which still exists to the day was named after a town in Ireland, an homage to Young’s Irish roots. He came to Mussoorie to hunt, but he fell in love. A boy who left Ireland and joined the British East India Company at the age of 15, finally found peace and solace in the arms of Mussoorie. 

Mussoorie never left his thoughts, and to this day, “Legend has it that on dark, moonless nights, a ghostly rider astride a white horse arrives at the old Mullingar lodge, ties his steed to the remnants of the old wrought iron railing, snaps to attention, and… waits for the parade of Redcoats to begin.” – Ganesh Saii

That’s the power of love, isn’t it? It can transcend time and space. Even though the name Frederick Young is rarely heard, the love that he had for Mussoorie has been passed on to many after him, including us. And that’s what we hope to pass on to you!