Thomas Duer Broughton facts for kids

Thomas Duer Broughton (born 1778, died 1835) was an English soldier. He was also a writer who shared a lot about India in his books.

Early Life and Military Career

Thomas Duer Broughton was born in 1778. His father, Reverend Thomas Broughton, was a church leader in St Peter's Church, Castle Park, Bristol. Thomas went to a famous school called Eton.

In 1795, when he was about 17, Thomas traveled to India. He joined the East India Company's Bengal Army as a cadet. This company was a powerful British trading group that also had its own army in India.

Thomas quickly moved up in the army. By 1797, he became a lieutenant. He fought in an important battle called the Siege of Seringapatam in 1799.

Later, he became an adjutant. This meant he helped with army administration. He also taught Hindi to new cadets at a place called Barasett. This was like a college where young soldiers learned about India.

Life Among the Marathas

In 1802, Thomas Broughton got a special job. He became a military resident with the Marathas. The Marathas were a powerful group of people who ruled a large part of India at that time.

Thomas lived among them and learned a lot about their way of life. He wrote down his experiences in a book. It was called Letters Written in a Mahratta Camp During the Year 1809. This book came out in 1813.

His book described the Maratha people. It talked about their daily lives, their customs, and their religious ceremonies. It was a very detailed look at their culture.

While living with the Marathas, Thomas also collected Hindi poems. These poems were passed down by word of mouth. He wrote them down and translated them. He published these poems in a book called Selections from the Popular Poetry of the Hindoos in 1814.

Return to England and Later Years

Thomas Broughton left India at the end of 1811. He returned to England. He was promoted to the rank of major.

He went back to India in August 1815. He was given command of a place called Weltevreden on Java. But by the time he arrived in April 1816, Java was being given back to the Dutch. So, he returned to Bengal.

In 1822, he was promoted again to lieutenant-colonel. After his time in India, he became an important member of the Royal Asiatic Society. He was their honorary secretary.

Thomas also traveled around Britain and southern Europe. He continued to write and translate. He published a book called Edward and Laura. This was his translation of a French novel. He also translated Persian poetry.

Thomas Duer Broughton passed away in London on November 16, 1835.