George W. Hayward facts for kids

George Jonas Whitaker Hayward (born around 1839 – died 18 July 1870) was a famous English explorer from the 1800s. Not much is known about his early life. He became well-known for his amazing journeys and his sad death in South Asia during a time called "The Great Game".

Early Life and Military Career

A plaque marks his birthplace, Headingley Hall.

For a long time, people thought Hayward was Irish. But research in the 1990s showed he was from Yorkshire, England. He was born at Headingley Hall, near Leeds. His father, also named George, worked for the Earl of Cardigan. Hayward's mother, Eleanora, died when he was only about six years old.

He went to the Forest School in London. In 1859, he joined the British Army as an ensign. He was sent to Multan, India (now in Pakistan). In 1863, he bought a higher rank and became a lieutenant. He then moved to another army group, the Cameron Highlanders, in 1864. He left the British Army in 1865.

Joining the Royal Geographical Society

In 1868, Hayward returned to England. He met Sir Henry Rawlinson, who was a leader of the Royal Geographical Society. Hayward wanted to explore Central Asia and the western Himalayas.

The Society gave him £300, plus tools for surveying and map-making. They asked him to try and reach the Pamir Mountains, which were not yet mapped. Hayward became the only explorer funded by the Royal Geographical Society during "The Great Game" period.

The Great Game: Empires and Explorers

Hayward explored during a time of big changes in Central Asia. The British Empire, based in India, was growing north. The Russian Empire was also expanding quickly south. The land between these two powerful empires was shrinking.

Secret agents and explorers were sent to map this unknown area. It was a dangerous place with many different groups of people and very tough terrain. The Royal Geographical Society usually stayed out of politics. However, Sir Henry Rawlinson also worked for the government. Some people think he might have had political reasons for sending Hayward to explore.

Journey to Kashgar and Yarkand

Hayward's main goal was to explore the Pamirs. He tried to go through the Northwest Frontier but was stopped. So, he traveled to Ladakh and then to Kashgaria. He hoped to reach the Pamirs from there.

Another English explorer, Robert Barkley Shaw, was also traveling to Yarkand and Kashgar. Shaw didn't seem happy about Hayward being there. Even though they were often close, they only met a few times.

While waiting for permission to enter Kashgaria, Hayward slipped away from his guards. He spent 20 days exploring and mapping the Yarkand River.

Shaw reached Kashgaria in December 1868. He sent messages and gifts ahead to Yakub Beg, the new ruler of Kashgaria. A few weeks later, Hayward arrived. He didn't send messages or gifts. He just convinced the border guards he was with Shaw. Shaw was surprised because he thought Hayward would be stopped.

In Yarkand, both Hayward and Shaw were kept under house arrest separately. Later, Shaw was allowed to meet Yakub Beg in Kashgar. After a friendly welcome, Shaw was again placed under house arrest. A few weeks later, Hayward arrived in Kashgar and was also held. They found ways to send secret notes to each other.

The ruler, Yakub Beg, was waiting for a reply from Russia. When no good news came from Russia, Shaw was allowed to meet the King again. After this, Shaw was free to go home. He also arranged for Hayward and another British explorer, Mirza Shuja, to be released.

For his work exploring the Kun Lun and Karakoram mountains, and the Yarkand River, Hayward received the Royal Geographical Society's Founder's Medal.

Exploring the Himalayas and Hindu Kush

In November 1869, Hayward began his next journey north through the Himalaya mountains. He traveled almost 300 miles to Gilgit in the middle of winter. He had almost no supplies. This winter trip took over two months, much longer than the usual ten to twenty days in warmer weather.

He crossed a war zone between Hindu Kashmiris and Muslim people from Dardistan. He visited the Yasin Valley to find a new way to the Pamirs. There, he became friends with Mir Wali, who told him it was impossible to go through the Hindu Kush mountains until summer.

Hayward returned to India, again crossing the Himalayas in winter with no supplies. He wrote a letter to a newspaper in Calcutta. He described terrible things the Kashmiris had done to people in Yasin. This letter caused a small problem because the Maharaja of Kashmir, Ranbir Singh, was a British ally. Because of the trouble this letter caused, Hayward stopped working with the Royal Geographical Society.

In June 1870, Hayward headed north again, as the mountain passes were now clear. He traveled through Kashmiri land and reached Gilgit easily. In mid-July, he reached Yasin again. He then went to the Darkot Pass at the end of the valley. He was very close to reaching the Oxus river and the Pamirs.

The Mystery of Hayward's Death

On the morning of 18 July 1870, Hayward stayed awake all night because he heard he might be attacked. He fell asleep near dawn and was then attacked. His hands were tied behind his back. He was dragged into the woods and murdered.

There are different ideas about how Hayward died. One story says his friend Mir Wali arranged his death. Another idea, which was less convenient for the British, was that the Maharaja of Kashmir had Hayward killed. This would have been revenge for the letter Hayward wrote about the Kashmiri people. This theory also suggests the Maharaja framed Mir Wali, who was his enemy.

A Kashmiri soldier later found Hayward's body. It was under a small pile of stones. His body was taken back to Gilgit and buried in an orchard. This place later became the town's Christian cemetery. The Maharaja of Kashmir paid for his tombstone. It says: "To the memory of G. W. Hayward, Gold Medallist of the Royal Geographical Society of London, who was cruelly murdered at Darkot, 18 July 1870, on his journey to explore the Pamir steppe. This monument is erected to a gallant officer and accomplished traveller at the instance of the Royal Geographical Society."

After his death, Hayward was not widely recognized for a long time. However, he was unique among explorers of the Western Himalaya. He surveyed large areas with very small groups, usually just himself and a few porters.

Interesting Facts and Legacy

In the 1930s, a British traveler named Colonel Reginald Schomberg visited Darkot. He said that local families still had Hayward's pistol, telescope, and saddle. In the 1950s, six of Hayward's watercolours (paintings) were sold at an auction in London. They had been found in a market in Bombay.

The poet Sir Henry Newbolt wrote a poem called "He Fell Among Thieves" about Hayward's death.

Books About Hayward's Adventures

A book about Hayward's life, called Murder in the Hindu Kush: George Hayward and the Great Game, was written by Tim Hannigan in 2011. His story is also briefly mentioned in The Great Game by Peter Hopkirk. Another book, Explorers of the Western Himalayas by John Keay, also covers his adventures.

See also

• The Great Game
• Geostrategy in Central Asia
• Royal Geographical Society