European adventurers, scholars and officials

Discover George Eden's role as Governor General of India, focusing on his policies during the Afghan conflict and relations with the Sikhs.

CORTLANDT. HENRY CHARLES VAN (1814-1888), son of Colonel Henry Clinton Van Cortlandt of the British army, by an Indian wife, was born at Meerut in 1814, and was educated in England. In 1832, he returned to India and joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s army on a monthly salary of Rs 250, subsequently raised to Rs 800, with a monthly stipend of Rs 800 for his wife. Cortlandt participated in various campaigns including the battle of Jamrud in which the famous general, Hari Singh Nalva, was killed.

FORD, MATTHEW WILLIAM (d. 1841), an Englishman who started his career in 1804 as an ensign in a West India regiment. He successively served with the 7th Foot, the 70th Foot, the 1st Royal Scots and the 22nd Light Dragoons. In 1823, he was appointed paymaster to the 16th Foot. While stationed at Karnal in 1837, he embezzled large sums of money and deserted the British troops. He came to Lahore towards the end of the year and joined the Sikh army as a battalion commander on Rs 800 per month, later commuted for jagir of three villages near Rawalpindi.

Discover HEST, a Greek commandant in Hyderabad before joining the Sikh army in 1843. Learn about his legacy and tragic end in Lahore.

Explore the life of Max Arthur Macauliffe, renowned translator of Sikh scriptures and historian of Sikhism, who made Sikh traditions accessible to the West.

Discover Sir Henry Pottinger's pivotal role in British diplomacy, his explorations, and his tenure as Hong Kong's first governor.

Discover how Gerard Wathen, a beloved principal at Khalsa College, earned the affection of Amritsar's Sikh community with his dedication and vision.

Discover Paolo Avitabile, a Neapolitan soldier of fortune, who rose to prominence in Persia and Punjab. Explore his dynamic life and military feats.

COURT, CAROLINE FEZLI AZAMJOO (1821-1869), born as Fezli Azamjoo in Kashmir on 13 June 1821, married Claude Auguste Court, a general in the Sikh army, by 1836. They had three children by the time they left the Punjab in 1843. On 25 June 1844, Fezli and her children were baptized at Marseilles, and she was on the same day religiously married to General Court by the Bishop in the Cathedrale of Marseilles. A fourth child was born in Marseilles in 1845. Little else is known about Fezli Azamjoo`s life at Marseilles.

FOULKES, R. (d. 1841), an Englishman, who joined Maharaja Ranjit Sihgh`s cavalry in February 1836. He remained attached to General Ventura as aide-de-camp, and accompanied him on his expedition to Mandi in 1840. On file conclusion of the campaign, he was left in charge of the Sikh troops stationed at Mandi. However, his troops mutineed in March 1841, and assassinated him.

Discover Sir John Hobhouse's role in shaping British policy towards the Sikhs and Punjab during his tenure in Parliament and beyond.

Explore the life of Frederick Mackeson, a key figure in 19th-century Anglo-Sikh relations, diplomacy, and the Indus navigation scheme.