Harry Burnett Lumsden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Burnett Lumsden
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Sir Harry Burnett Lumsden
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| Born | 12 November 1821 On board the Rose, Bay of Bengal |
| Died | 12 August 1896 (aged 74) Belhelvie, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Buried |
Belhelvie Kirkyard
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| Allegiance | .svg){kind=small} East India Company British India |
| Service/ |
Bengal army |
| Years of service | 1841-1882 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Battles/wars | First Anglo-Afghan War First Anglo-Sikh War Second Anglo-Sikh War Indian Rebellion |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India Companion of the Order of the Bath |
| Spouse(s) |
Fanny Myers
(m. 1866) |
Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burnett "Joe" Lumsden (1821–1896) was a British military officer. He was an important figure in the British Raj, which was the time when Britain ruled parts of India. He is best known for creating the famous Corps of Guides.
Contents
Harry Lumsden's Life Story
Early Years
Harry Lumsden was born on a ship called the Rose in the Bay of Bengal in 1821. His father, Colonel Thomas Lumsden, was an army officer in Bengal. Harry spent his first six years in India.
At age six, he moved to Scotland and lived with his grandmother. His younger brother, Peter Lumsden, also became an officer in India.
Joining the Army
When he was 16, Harry was chosen to join the army in India. He traveled to India in 1838 and became an officer in the 59th Bengal Native Infantry.
During the First Anglo-Afghan War, he worked as an interpreter. He marched with the army through the Khyber Pass in 1842. In this war, he became good friends with two other officers, John Nicholson and Neville Bowles Chamberlain.
After the war, he returned to Ferozepur. He enjoyed hunting trips throughout the Punjab region. He learned to speak Punjabi very well and understood local customs.
Service in Punjab
Harry Lumsden fought in the First Anglo-Sikh War. At the Battle of Sobraon, he was shot in the foot. This injury caused him to have a slight limp for the rest of his life.
After the war, Sir Henry Lawrence chose Lumsden to be one of his special assistants. These assistants were known as "Henry Lawrence's "Young Men"." Lumsden's first job was in Kangra in 1846.
He later went to Lahore and saw the political problems there. He helped lead an expedition to support the new ruler of Kashmir, Gulab Singh. Lumsden also led a group of Sikh soldiers to explore the hills of Hazara. He was very impressed by how loyal and brave these soldiers were.
Forming the Corps of Guides
In 1847, Lumsden was given an exciting new task. He was asked to create a special army unit called the Corps of Guides. This unit was meant to be made of trustworthy men. They would act as guides for troops and gather important information.
Lumsden and his assistant, William Hodson, came up with a new uniform color. It was a dull, dusty color that blended in with the surroundings. This color became known as khaki. The Guides were known for their unique uniforms and excellent skills.
Lumsden carefully chose his soldiers, mostly from local Pathan tribes. The Corps of Guides became a very famous unit in the British Indian Army. Soldiers were eager to join it.
In 1848, the Second Anglo-Sikh War began. Lumsden and his Guides helped in the Siege of Multan. They also fought in the Battle of Gujrat. After the war, Lumsden was happy to stay in Peshawar and lead his beloved Guides. Their strength grew to 400 horsemen and 600 foot soldiers.
In 1851, Lumsden moved the Guides' headquarters to Mardan. The Guides became part of the Punjab Irregular Force.
North West Frontier Duties
After the Punjab region became part of British India, Lumsden worked to manage relations with the local tribes. He helped in an expedition against the Baizai tribe in 1849. He also temporarily took over as the political agent in Peshawar.
Lumsden believed it was best to have friendly relations with the hill tribes. He thought military action would be too costly. However, the Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, often ordered strong military responses. In 1852, Lumsden was replaced as Commissioner in Peshawar.
Later Career and Retirement
In 1852, Lumsden took a break and went to Britain. He was promoted to captain in 1853 and major in 1854. He returned to India in 1855 and took command of the Guides again.
In 1857, he was sent on a mission to Kandahar in Afghanistan. While he was there, the Indian Mutiny (a major rebellion) broke out in India. Lumsden was far from British posts and worried about his safety. He received sad news that his friend John Nicholson had been killed. Lumsden was ordered to return to India in 1858. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel.
In 1860, he was injured during a practice session when an attacker struck his arm. In 1862, he took command of the Nizam of Hyderabad's army. He successfully managed their finances, leaving them debt-free.
In 1866, while on leave in Britain, he married Fanny Myers. They returned to India but left for England permanently in 1869.
When his father died in 1874, Harry inherited the family home in Belhelvie, Scotland. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India in 1873. He retired in 1875 with the honorary rank of Lieutenant-General. Sir Harry Lumsden died in Belhelvie in 1896 and was buried there.
See also
- Henry Lawrence's "Young Men"
- Corps of Guides
