Discover how Pierre Cuillier Perron shaped Maratha influence in Northern India, facing British diplomacy while navigating alliances and conflicts.
Discover VOCHUS, a Russian employed in 1823 at Lahore's Sikh-run gunpowder factory. Learn more about European adventurers in Northern India.
Explore the adventurous and tumultuous life of Benoit Argoud, a quarrelsome Frenchman who joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh's infantry in 1836.
CLERK, SIR GEORGE RUSSELL (1800-1889), diplomat, son of John Clerk, entered the service of the East India Company as a writer in 1817. After various appointments in Calcutta, Rajputana and Delhi, he became political agent at Ambala in 1831. He was appointed agent to the Governor General at the North-West Frontier Agency in 1840. In this capacity, he shaped British policy towards the Sikhs during the days following the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. For almost a decade, as political agent at Ambala, he had been responsible for British political relations with the cis Sutlej states.
FARRIS (d. 1842), a Frenchman, who joined the Sikh army in 1841 and was employed in the gunpowder factory. He died at Lahore within one year of his appointment.
Explore the journey of HARVEY, the English physician in 1838 Punjab, serving under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, before falling ill and leaving in 1839.
Discover Littler's role as a garrison commander at Firozpur during the First Anglo-Sikh War. Learn about his strategic maneuvers and military career.
Explore the storied career of Sir George Pollock, field marshal and baronet, renowned for his pivotal role in Afghanistan retribution campaigns.
Explore Sir Claude Martine Wade's diplomatic finesse with the Sikhs and his impactful role in Anglo-Sikh relations during the 19th century.
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.