Robert Barkley Shaw facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Barkley Shaw
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| Born | 12 July 1839 Upper Clapton, London
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| Died | 15 June 1879 (aged 39) |
| Nationality | English |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom  |
| Alma mater | Marlborough College Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Explorer and diplomat |
Robert Barkley Shaw (born 12 July 1839 – died 15 June 1879) was an English explorer and diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in another country. Shaw was one of the first English travelers to visit Kashgar in Central Asia. He made friends with the local leader there. Later, he joined a special trip to the area to improve relations. He also worked as a diplomat in northern India and in Mandalay.
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Early Life and Education
Robert Shaw was born in Upper Clapton, London. He went to schools in Europe, then to Marlborough College, and later to Trinity College, Cambridge in England.
After a serious illness, he could not join the army as he had planned. So, in 1859, he moved to Kangra in the Himalayas. There, he started a new life as a tea-planter, growing tea plants.
Exploring Central Asia
Shaw loved adventure and wanted to explore the lands north of the Karakoram mountains. This area was mostly unknown to Europeans at the time. After a few short trips, he began a longer journey in May 1868. He traveled to Eastern Turkestan disguised as a merchant, someone who buys and sells goods.
Meeting Other Explorers
In September 1868, Shaw met another English explorer, George W. Hayward, in the mountains. Both men knew how important it was to map the unknown Pamir Mountains. Shaw went ahead, sending gifts to Yaqub Beg, the local leader. He hoped to meet him first.
Shaw arrived in Yarkand on 8 December and was welcomed. Hayward also arrived, and they were the first Englishmen to visit these places. From Yarkand, they could see the snowy Pamir Mountains and the sandy Taklamakan Desert.
Meeting Yaqub Beg
On 11 January 1869, Shaw was taken to the palace in Kashgar. The next morning, he had a successful meeting with Yaqub Beg. Yaqub Beg had recently taken control of the region from Chinese rule. Shaw wrote in his diary about the amazing experience of meeting so many people.
Shaw spoke a little Persian and explained that he wanted to open a trade route, especially for Indian tea. Yaqub Beg was impressed and told Shaw to "enjoy yourself a few days."
A Diplomatic Mission
Both Shaw and Hayward found themselves under house arrest, meaning they couldn't leave. But they secretly made contacts outside Kashgar. One important person they met was Mirza Shuja, an Indian Muslim who needed help. Unknown to Shaw, Mirza was a secret agent for the Indian Army, sent to map the area.
For three months, Shaw didn't hear from Mirza. During this time, the Russians in St. Petersburg worried that Mirza was trying to start a rebellion in Central Asia. Yaqub Beg was also trying to get diplomatic recognition from Russia.
When Shaw met Yaqub Beg again on 5 April 1869, the leader greeted him warmly, saying, "I declare you, my brother." Yaqub Beg wanted an alliance with the Queen of England. Shaw asked that he, Hayward, and Mirza be set free.
Return to India
Shaw returned to India by the Karakoram Pass. His journey was seen as very brave and important for gathering information during a time called the "Great Game." This was a period of rivalry between the British and Russian empires in Central Asia.
Shaw's efforts helped keep the Silk Road open for trade between East and West. He was officially recognized by the British Empire for helping to create a new understanding with Russia. This understanding was later finalized by his nephew, Francis Younghusband.
Mission to Eastern Turkestan
The British government wanted to create a "buffer state" policy. This meant having friendly countries between British India and other powerful nations like Russia. This policy aimed to protect British India from invasion. They also wanted to open trade routes through the Karakorams to the Far East.
Shaw believed there were many potential customers in the Kashgaria region for his tea. So, Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India, allowed Shaw to join a new expedition in 1869. This trip, led by Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth, aimed to strengthen the friendship with Yaqub Beg and prevent Russian expansion.
However, when the group reached Yarkand, they found that Yaqub Beg was far away, seeking peace with the Russians. Shaw had warned about India's vulnerability in the Pamir Passes. His warnings proved true as Russia continued to expand in the 1870s.
Later Career and Recognition
In 1872, the Royal Geographical Society gave Shaw a special gold medal. Sir Henry Rawlinson said Shaw earned this award for exploring Eastern Turkestan and for his valuable observations of the stars.
Because of his important work for the government, Lord Mayo appointed Shaw to a political role. He became the British joint commissioner in Ladakh, a region in the Himalayas in northern India. In 1875, he returned to Yarkand to oversee a treaty that had been made the year before.
In 1878, Shaw was appointed as the British representative in Mandalay in Upper Burma. This area is now part of Myanmar. At that time, Upper Burma was an independent kingdom, while Lower Burma was part of the British Empire.
During his time in Mandalay, King Mindon of Burma died in October 1878. King Thibaw then became the new ruler. Robert Shaw died in Mandalay on 15 June 1879.
Images for kids
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Map of present-day China showing the location of Kashgar
