George Bruce Malleson facts for kids

Colonel George Bruce Malleson (born May 8, 1825 – died March 1, 1898) was an English officer who served in India. He was also a well-known author, writing many books about history.

Life and Work of George Malleson

Early Life and Military Career

George Malleson was born in Wimbledon. He went to school at Winchester College. In 1842, he joined the Bengal infantry as a cadet. This meant he was training to become an officer in the British army in India.

He fought in the second Burmese War. After the war, he took on different jobs in the civil service. His last job was looking after the young maharaja of Mysore, who was a powerful Indian ruler. Malleson retired from the army in 1877 as a colonel. He was also given an important award called the C.S.I. in 1872.

A Prolific Author

Colonel Malleson was a very active writer. He wrote many books, especially about Indian history. His first important work was called the "Red Pamphlet". He published it in Calcutta in 1857, during the Sepoy Mutiny. This was a major rebellion against British rule in India.

He also continued and largely rewrote a big book called History of the Indian Mutiny 1857-8. This book was originally started by Sir John Kaye but was not finished. Malleson added a lot to it, making it six volumes long.

Some of his other important books include History of the French in India and The Decisive Battles of India. He also wrote biographies, which are life stories, of famous people. These included the Mughal Emperor Akbar, the French governor-general Dupleix, and the British officer Robert Clive. These biographies were part of a series called "Rulers of India."

George Malleson passed away in London on March 1, 1898.

Books by George Malleson

Here are some of the books written by Colonel George Malleson:

• History of the Indian Mutiny 1857-8 (This was a very long series of books.)
  • Volume I (1878)
  • Volume III (1880)
  • Volume V (1889)
• History of the French in India (1893, second edition) Online version
• Dupleix and the Struggle for India by the European Nations (1899) Online version
• History of Afghanistan, from the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of the War of 1878 (1879, second edition) Online version. A translation of this book was even used to train British military interpreters.