Josiah Harlan

Josiah Harlan
Josiah Harlan in his Afghan robes
BornJune 12, 1799
DiedOctober 1871 (aged 72)
Occupation(s)American adventurer, best known for traveling to Afghanistan and Punjab with the intention of making himself a king
SpouseElizabeth Baker
ChildrenSarah Victoria Harlan
RelativesRichard Harlan (brother)
Scott Reiniger (great-great-great-grandson)

Josiah Harlan, Prince of Ghor (June 12, 1799 – October 1871)[1] was an American adventurer who travelled to Afghanistan and Punjab with the intention of making himself a king. During his travels, he became involved in local politics and factional military actions. He claimed he was awarded the title Prince of Ghor in exchange for military aid. Rudyard Kipling's short story The Man Who Would Be King is believed to have been partly based on Harlan.[2]

  1. ^ Frater, Alexander (25 April 2004). "A Yankee in the Great Game". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Josiah the Great: The True Story of The Man Who Would Be King". benmacintyre.com. Retrieved 19 September 2021.