Neil B. Edmonstone facts for kids
Neil Benjamin Edmonstone (1765–1841) was an important official and leader in the East India Company. This company was a powerful British trading company that also ruled parts of India for a long time. Neil Edmonstone spent many years working for the company in India.
Early Life and Start in India
Neil Edmonstone was born on December 6, 1765. He was the fifth son of Sir Archibald Edmonstone, who was a Member of Parliament (MP) in Britain.
In 1783, when he was about 18, Neil joined the East India Company's civil service. This meant he got a job as an administrator in India. He soon started working in the main office in Calcutta (now Kolkata). He became a translator for Persian, an important language used in India at the time.
Key Role in India's Government
In 1798, a new leader named Lord Wellesley arrived in India as the Governor-General. This was the top British official in India. Lord Wellesley chose Edmonstone to be his personal secretary.
Edmonstone worked closely with Lord Wellesley during important events. For example, he was with Wellesley when they planned to defeat Tipu Sultan, a powerful ruler in southern India. Edmonstone helped by translating important documents found in Tipu Sultan's palace. These documents helped explain why the British attacked.
Many people believe that Edmonstone played a big part in Lord Wellesley's plan to make the East India Company the most powerful force in India. This was done through "subsidiary treaties." These were agreements where Indian rulers would get protection from the British army, but in return, they had to let the British control their foreign policy and keep British troops in their lands.
A historian named Sir John William Kaye described Edmonstone as "one of the most valuable officials and far-seeing statesmen which the Indian civil service has ever produced." This shows how important he was.
In 1801, Edmonstone became the secretary for secret, political, and foreign affairs for the government of India. He also helped plan the campaigns against the Marathas, another powerful group in India. He continued to hold important positions even after Lord Wellesley left. He also advised Lord Minto, another Governor-General.
Return to England and Later Years
After many years of service, Neil Edmonstone became the Chief Secretary to Government in 1809. In 1812, he joined the Supreme Council in Calcutta, which was a very high-ranking group that helped govern India.
After 34 years in India, Edmonstone returned to England in 1817. In 1820, he was chosen to be a director of the East India Company. This meant he helped make important decisions for the company from England.
He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826. This is a very old and respected group that promotes science. He was recognized for his knowledge of Eastern languages and his interest in science.
Neil Edmonstone passed away on May 4, 1841. He had a large family with his wife, including five sons and six daughters. One of his sons, Sir George Frederick Edmonstone, also became a very important official in India, serving as a foreign secretary and governor after the Sepoy Mutiny. Neil Edmonstone also supported a family he had in India.
