Frederick Henry Cooper facts for kids

Frederick Henry Cooper (1827–1869) was a British government worker. He was part of the East India Company, which was a powerful trading company that also governed parts of India for Britain. Cooper worked as a Deputy Commissioner in a place called Amritsar, in the region of Punjab, during a big uprising in India in 1857.

Frederick Cooper's Role in the 1857 Uprising

During the Indian rebellion of 1857, many people in India rose up against British rule. Frederick Cooper, along with other British officials like James Neill and John Nicholson, was known for his harsh actions during this time.

Actions During the Rebellion

Cooper recorded some of his actions during the uprising. He wrote about an event at Ajnala where many Indian soldiers, known as sepoys, and other people died. He mentioned a well where many bodies were placed. This well is now known as Shaheedan Wala Khu, which means "martyrs' well," and it is located in Ajnala, near Amritsar.

Public Reaction and Recognition

Not everyone in Britain agreed with Cooper's actions. A British politician named Charles Gilpin, who was a Member of Parliament, spoke out against Cooper's deeds in 1859. He said that he felt ashamed as an Englishman because of the way his country's character had been affected.

Despite this criticism, Frederick Cooper was given an important award called the Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1860. This award recognized his service in the Bengal Civil Service, which was part of the British administration in India.