The early history of the region is deeply tied to the indigenous Gaddi people, a traditionally semi-nomadic pastoral tribe who have inhabited the Dhauladhar ranges for centuries. In the 1850s, following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, the British established a cantonment in the area. McLeod Ganj was founded as a civilian settlement outside the military area and was named in honor of Sir Donald Friell McLeod. It quickly became an important hill station and a restorative retreat for British officers stationed in India. Lord Elgin, a Viceroy of India, was so enamored with the area that he requested to be buried there; his grave remains at the historic St. John in the Wilderness church.
In 1905, the devastating Kangra earthquake largely leveled McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala, killing thousands and prompting the British to move their district headquarters to lower altitudes. For several decades, McLeod Ganj faded into relative obscurity, serving primarily as a quiet local trading outpost and a base for Gaddi shepherds.
The town's modern renaissance began in March 1959. Following the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet and sought asylum in India. In 1960, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, permitted the Dalai Lama to establish his government-in-exile in McLeod Ganj. This arrival initiated a steady influx of Tibetan refugees, fundamentally transforming the demographic and cultural landscape. Over the subsequent decades, the establishment of monasteries, schools, and cultural institutions turned McLeod Ganj into the vibrant epicenter of the Tibetan diaspora, drawing global attention, international aid, and a booming spiritual tourism industry.
