Henry Ramsay (Indian Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General Sir
Henry Ramsay
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1816 |
| Died | 16 December 1893 |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Bengal Army British Indian Army |
| Rank | General |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Sir Henry Ramsay (1816 – 16 December 1893) was an important British general. He worked in the Indian Army and was known as "The King of Kumaon." He was a great leader and manager in British India. He served as the Commissioner of the Kumaon division.
Contents
Sir Henry Ramsay's Family Background
Henry Ramsay was the son of John Ramsay, who was also a Lieutenant-General. His grandfather was George Ramsay, 8th Earl of Dalhousie. Henry's older brother, George, became an admiral in the Royal Navy.
In 1874, after a cousin passed away, Queen Victoria made a special rule. This rule allowed Henry and his brothers and sisters to be called "The Honourable Henry Ramsay." This title was given as if their father had inherited a special family title.
Henry Ramsay's Career in India
In 1840, Henry Ramsay became an Assistant Commissioner in Kumaon. At that time, he was a colonel in the Bengal Army. He was one of the most skilled British officials working in the Kumaon region.
People in Kumaon respected and supported him greatly. His kind and friendly way of working helped the region stay loyal to the British. In 1856, Ramsay became the main Commissioner. He continued to work for another 28 years in the Garhwal and Kumaon areas.
Ramsay's Homes and Workplaces
The Commissioner's main office was in Almora. However, during the hot summer months, the administration moved to Binsar, which was cooler. Binsar was about 23 kilometers away.
In 1866, Ramsay bought a large piece of land in Binsar. It was about 26 acres (105,000 square meters). This land became known as Binsar Estate. Today, it is a historic place called Grand Oak Manor.
On this estate, he built a large home. It had a ballroom, a private chapel, and rooms for his staff. He used this home to manage the region. Important court meetings for civil and criminal cases were also held there.
He also bought another property near Binsar called 'Khali'. This word means 'empty'. A house and fruit gardens were built there, but Ramsay never lived in it. Today, Khali is a resort.
After he retired in 1884, Ramsay hoped to live in Binsar. However, he had to go back to England. Later, in the 1930s, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, who was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's sister, lived in the house at Khali.
Awards and Personal Life
Henry Ramsay received special awards for his work in Kumaon. In 1860, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (C.B.). In 1876, he was honored as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (K.C.S.I.).
Experts say that Henry Ramsay not only built on the good work of earlier leaders but also helped Kumaon-Garhwal become part of modern India.
In 1850, he married Laura Lushington. She was the daughter of the previous Commissioner of Kumaon. They had five children together. Henry Ramsay passed away on 16 December 1893, at the age of 77.
After he died, The Times newspaper wrote about him. They praised him as a smart and wise man. They said he had clear judgment and a strong will. He cared deeply about the people he governed and was trusted by everyone.
