Discover Lairdee's dramatic journey from serving the East India Company to fighting against the English in the First Anglo-Sikh War before his capture in 1846.
Discover Dr. Murray's journey to Lahore to treat Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Explore his engaging despatches revealing court splendor and military insights.
Explore the adventurous life of George Thomas, an Irish soldier who deserted the British navy, served in Indian armies, and established a kingdom in Haryana.
Discover Benjamin Allard's pivotal role in 19th-century Lahore's trade networks and European investments, blending commerce with personal legacy.
BURN, LtCoL, who commanded British detachments at Deoband, now in Uttar Pradesh, led in 1804 an expedition against the cis Sutlej Sikh chiefs, Gurdit Singh ofLadva and Karnal, Sher Singh of Buna, Rai Singh of Jagadhri, Jodh Singh of Kalsia and Mahtab Singh of Thanesar, who had fought against the British in alliance with the Marathas in 1803. Burn`s troops joined hands with those of Birch and Skinner, and defeated the Sikhs at Saharanpur on 18 December 1804. The British commanderin chief granted amnesty to all the Sikhs except Gurdit Singh. Burn arrived at Karnal, and secured from him the surrender of the town.
DUBUIGNON, ROBERT WALTER, DE TALBOT (1809-1868), a French adventurer in the employ of Begam Samaru of Sardhana, who came to Lahore to seek better prospects. He obtained employment in the Sikh court through the good offices of General Ventura, and was assigned to General Allard as aide decamp. He left the service after about a year to go into business, exporting goods from Kashmir to France in exchange for French merchandise. He died at Ludhiana in 1868.
Discover the life and legacy of Sir Hugh Gough, a key commander in the Sikh Wars, navigating complex military and political landscapes.
Discover the intriguing story of Stephen Lane, an American who rose through Scindia's ranks and joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army in 1834.
NICHOLSON, JOHN (1821-1857), political assistant at Firozpur (1844-45), was born in Dublin on 11 December 1821, the son of Dr Alexander Nicholson. He obtained cadetship in Bengal Infantry in 1839 and in December the same year was posted to the 27th Native Infantry at Firozpur. In 1844, he became political assistant at Firozpur in which capacity he was found indulging in intrigues against the Sikh State and Lord Hardinge felt inclined to remove him from the frontier.
Discover the fascinating journey of Jacob Thomas, son of Irish adventurer George Thomas, from serving Begam Samru to commanding in Ranjit Singh's army.
ALLARD, JEAN FRANCOIS (1785-1839), Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, an order instituted in 1802 by Napoleon I, was born at Saint Tropez, France, on 8 March 1785. In 1803, he joined the French army and served in it fighting in the Imperial Cavalry in far flung fields in Italy, Spain and Portugal until its final defeat at the hands of the allies in 1815 when the Imperial Guard, in which he had been serving as a lieutenant since 1810, was disbanded.
BURNES, SIR ALEXANDER (1805-1841), British traveller, explorer and writer, was born on 16 May 1805. He joined Bombay infantry in 1821. Upon his arrival in India, he devoted himself to the study of the local languages and was, while still an ensign, selected for the post of regimental interpreter. In 1829, he was transferred to the political department as assistant to the Political Resident in Cutch. In 1831, he was sent on a complimentary mission to Lahore, in charge of English horses, including a team of carthorses, four mares and a stallion, sent by the King of England as presents for Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
