The Journey of Heinrich Harrer: From Dehradun’s Prem Nagar POW Camp to Seven Years in Tibet

In 1939, Heinrich Harrer, a young climber celebrated for his participation in the first ascent of the north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps, embarked on a climbing expedition to India. However, the outbreak of World War II led to Harrer and other German and Austrian nationals in India being apprehended and confined by the British in internment camps.

Within these camps, populated solely by German men, the majority being Germans, outnumbering Italians, Bulgarians, Hungarians, and Finns, there were no women or children. While most detainees whiled away their time, seven individuals conceived a daring plan to break free. On April 29, 1944, at 2:30 pm, they executed their escape, wielding swagger sticks and posing as leaders of a fictitious native wire repair crew. Boldly marching through the main gates, they convinced the guards to present arms.

Heinrich Harrer was among those who successfully escaped from the Prem Nagar camp in Dehradun, accompanied by a fellow POW. They ventured into the Tibetan mountains, navigating a grueling journey on foot, crossing 65 mountain passes and traversing the Tibetan plateau in the harsh winter. Two years later, they reached the forbidden city of Lhasa, where a warm reception awaited them. Harrer stayed for five years, forming a friendship with and tutoring the teenage Dalai Lama. In 1951, as the Chinese Communists invaded Tibet, Harrer departed. Subsequently, in 1953, he penned a book detailing his experiences, titled "Seven Years in Tibet." This literary work was translated into 48 languages and later adapted into a major motion picture.