William Joseph Eastwick facts for kids
Captain William Joseph Eastwick (1808 – 24 February 1889) was a British military officer and an important leader in the East India Company. He played a key role in British India during the 1800s.
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Early Life and Education
William Joseph Eastwick was born in 1808. His father, Captain Robert William Eastwick, was also a captain in the Bombay Marine, which was like the navy for the East India Company.
William went to Winchester College, a famous school in England. While he was there, he studied with people who later became very important, like Lord Selborne and Lord Sherbrooke. William also had a younger brother named Edward Backhouse Eastwick, who became known for his knowledge of Eastern cultures and as a politician.
Military Career in India
In 1826, Eastwick traveled to India to join the Bombay Army as an ensign, which is a junior officer rank. He served under General James Welsh in places like Kolapore and southern Mahratta.
Eastwick was very good at learning languages. He passed his Persian language exam with high marks. Because of this, he was chosen to work in the Political Department. This department handled relations with different rulers and states in India.
His first job in the Political Department was helping Sir Henry Pottinger in a region called Sind. In 1839, Eastwick was in charge of talks with the Amirs of Hyderabad. These talks were very important because they opened up the Indus River for British trade.
Role in the Anglo-Afghan War
During the First Anglo-Afghan War, Eastwick was given an important job. He was put in charge of the areas east of the Bolan Pass. He also acted as the British representative, or Resident, in Hyderabad.
In the winter of 1841–42, he worked hard to gather supplies and transportation for the army. This army was sent to help General William Nott in Kandahar. For his excellent work, the government thanked him.
East India Company Director
Eastwick returned to England in 1841 and did not go back to India. Around 1846 or 1847, he was chosen to be a member of the Court of Directors for the East India Company. This was a very powerful group that managed the company's affairs. He eventually became the last deputy chairman of the company.
In 1858, India was brought directly under the control of the British crown. At this time, Eastwick was one of the directors chosen to join the Council of India. He stayed on this council until he retired in 1868.
