James Abbott (Indian Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir James Abbott
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James Abbott in Afghan dress. (B. Baldwin, 1841)
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| Born | 12 March 1807 Blackheath, Kent, United Kingdom |
| Died | 6 October 1896 (aged 89) Ryde, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | .svg){kind=small} East India Company British India |
| Service/ |
Bengal Army |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | Bengal Artillery |
| Battles/wars | First Anglo-Sikh War Second Anglo-Sikh War |
| Awards | KCB |
| Relations | Major General Augustus Abbott Major General Sir Frederick Abbott Major General Saunders Alexius Abbott Keith Edward Abbott |
| Other work | Colonial administrator |
Sir James Abbott (born March 12, 1807, died October 6, 1896) was a British soldier and leader. He worked for the British in India. He helped manage parts of India. A city in Pakistan, called Abbottabad, is named after him. He also founded this city.
Contents
Early Life and Family
James Abbott was born in Blackheath, Kent, England. He was the third son of Henry Alexius Abbott. His father was a retired merchant. James went to school in Blackheath. He also studied at the East India Company Military Seminary. This school trained young men for military service in India.
Several of his brothers also became important military officers. These included Augustus Abbott and Sir Frederick Abbott.
Starting His Career in India
At 16, James Abbott joined the Bengal Artillery as a cadet. He arrived in India in 1823. His first battle was at the Siege of Bharatpur. He fought under his older brother, Augustus. In 1827, he became a lieutenant. He worked with an artillery division.
During this time, he did not see much fighting. From 1835 to 1836, he helped with land surveys. These surveys were for collecting taxes. In June 1838, he was promoted to captain.
The Great Game and Adventures
In 1838, Captain Abbott joined an army led by Sir John Keane. Their mission was to support Shuja Shah Durrani in Afghanistan. The British wanted to control Afghanistan. This was because Russia was becoming more powerful in Central Asia. This period of rivalry was known as "The Great Game."
In 1839, the British heard that Russia planned to invade Khiva. Khiva was a powerful kingdom. In December 1839, Abbott was sent to Khiva. His goal was to free Russian slaves. This would remove Russia's reason for invasion. He reached Khiva in January 1840. The Russians had already turned back due to a very cold winter.
Abbott faced challenges in Khiva. He did not know the local language or culture well. He tried to free the slaves, but he failed. However, he did agree with the ruler of Khiva to have a British agent there. He also offered to go to Russia to help make peace. He was not authorized to do this. But he could not talk to his commanders in India.
In March 1840, Abbott left Khiva for the Caspian Sea. His group was attacked by local tribes. He was hurt and taken hostage. But he and his group were released. The tribes feared British revenge. He reached Saint Petersburg in Russia. His efforts to make peace did not work. For his bravery, he was promoted to full Captain.
Another officer, Lieutenant Richmond Shakespear, later went to Khiva. He succeeded in freeing 416 Russian prisoners. Shakespear was honored for this brave act.
Working in the Punjab
In 1841, Abbott returned to India from Britain. He first worked in Mewar. Then, in 1842, he moved to Indore. After the First Anglo-Sikh War ended in 1846, Abbott was chosen for a special group. These officers were called "The Paladins of the Punjab." They were sent to advise the Sikh ruler.
Sir Henry Lawrence, a famous British leader, praised Abbott. He said Abbott was brave and kind. He also said Abbott was good at making friends. He especially noted Abbott's ability to connect with Asian people.
After the war, Hazara and Kashmir were given to Raja Gulab Singh. But Hazara was hard to control. So, it was returned to the Lahore government. Abbott was sent to Hazara to help calm things down. He also surveyed the land for taxes. He learned the local language and culture. He helped the local people. He allowed the call to prayer, which the Sikhs had banned. This made him popular with the local Pashtun elders.
During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, Abbott was cut off from British troops. He had to rely on his own skills. He held the Margalla Hills with a much smaller force. He did this until the war ended. The Governor-General of India thanked him for his courage. He praised Abbott for being brave and kind to the local people.
Founding Abbottabad and Later Life
After the British took control of the Punjab, Abbott was promoted. He became the First Deputy Commissioner of Hazara in 1849. In 1852, he led a successful mission to the Black Mountain. This was after two tax collectors were murdered.
Abbott first set up his government in Haripur. But he decided to move it to the hills. This was for better weather and safety. In 1853, he moved his headquarters. He founded a small town and military camp. This town grew over time. It was later named Abbottabad by his friend, Herbert Edwardes.
In April 1853, Abbott was moved from Hazara. He went back to the Bengal Army. He was put in charge of a gunpowder factory. His transfer happened because some people in Lahore worried about his way of leading. They also worried about his relationships with other officers.
Before he left Hazara, he held a big party. Everyone in the district was invited. The party lasted three days and nights. Many people came and were sad to see him go. Abbott reportedly spent all his savings on the party. His love for the local Hazara people was well known. His successor, Herbert Edwardes, wrote about how much Abbott cared for them. He said Abbott lived among them like a father figure. Children would go to "Kaka Abbott" for treats.
Abbott also wrote a poem about the town he founded:
I remember the day when I first came here
And smelt the sweet Abbottabad air
The trees and ground covered with snow
Gave us indeed a brilliant show
To me the place seemed like a dream
And far ran a lonesome stream
The wind hissed as if welcoming us
The pine swayed creating a lot of fuss
And the tiny cuckoo sang it away
A song very melodious and gay
I adored the place from the first sight
And was happy that my coming here was right
And eight good years here passed very soon
And we leave you perhaps on a sunny noon
Oh Abbottabad we are leaving you now
To your natural beauty do I bow
Perhaps your wind's sound will never reach my ear
My gift for you is a few sad tears
I bid you farewell with a heavy heart
Never from my mind will your memories thwart.
In 1857, Abbott became a lieutenant-colonel. He received a special honor, the Companion of the Order of the Bath, in 1873. He became a general when he retired in 1877. He settled in Ryde on the Isle of Wight in 1890. In 1894, he was made a Knight Commander. He died on the Isle of Wight in 1896. He is buried in Guildford, Surrey, with his second wife.
Legacy
The city of Abbottabad in Pakistan is named after him. The district is also named after him. He founded the city in January 1853. It grew from a small military camp to a busy trading center.
A painting of James Abbott exists. It shows him dressed as an Afghan noble. This painting is from 1841. It is now in the National Portrait Gallery in London.
See also
