I am working on Brig. Gen. John Carnac of the HEICo. In the context of this work I came across a Capt James Stewart/Stuart, ADC to the Gov of Bombay,India.
He led the Advance Force against the Maharattas and was killed on 04 Jan 1778. I have appended below whatever I have gleaned on him . There was little forthcoming and my SOS to the BL has yielded little. So in effect I am up a tree. I was wondering if you will be able to help with your fund of references. To me it would seem a pity that such a brave and well loved officer is forgotten.
Many thanks for your time and help.
Sincerely
jato37
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Capt James Stewart / Stuart[/font] was ADC to the Governor of Bombay, William Hornby [ 1771 - 1784]. He was assigned the task of leading an Advance Force against the Maharatta Confederacy in the First Anglo-Maharatta War [1773 - 1782] with the objective of taking over Poona, the capital of the Peshwas, one of the leaders of the Maharatta Confederacy. He left Bombay on 22 Nov. 1778 with 6 companies of Native Grenadiers and small detail of light cannons. He followed the following route which was at first by sea and then by land climbing about 2200 feet above sea level.The route was from Bombay-to Panvel- landing at Apte, taking possession of the Bhore Ghats[about 2000feet above msl] on to Khopoli and then Khandalla. The Maharatta army became aware of his presence and there ensued a constant state of sniping and shelling. The main force led by a Col. Egerton [who had had experience in the Crimea] joined up with him and the collective army of 3900 moved on to Karla [Karlee] . The Maharattas were commanded by Shinde, an astitute General who used the principles of Security, Mobility and Surprise with a scorched earth policy and never came into direct head-on conflict with the British. The British decided to doggedly pursue their objective of going and taking Poona and to this end went on to Karla [Karlee] en-route to Talegaon. They reached Karlee in the afternoon at about 2 pm when a stray cannon ball hit Capt.Stewart on the left shoulder injuring him seriously. He died 2 hours later on 4 Jan 1779. He was buried at Vadegaon, Mavel . He was an officer who was respected not only by his soldiers but also by his enemies.
I visited Vadegaon ,Mavel on 10 March 2010 and on inquiry at the local Police Station was told that a "samadhi" [ grave] was placed behind the Police station itself . I went behind the station and was told of a grave that was to be seen after passing in front of the detention- prisoner cells . I did and found, in a 10' x 8 ' space was placed on the flat ground a large white grave cloth with a red embroidered border design with a red cross at the foot end . There were also one large 6 " candle placed at each corner of grave cloth. On coming outside I was shown an undated memorial stone embedded in the wall which read:"To honour the memory of Capt James Stewart[Ishtur Phakra] our first commanding officer who died fighting at Karla two hundred and fifty years ago on 4 Jan 1779 2nd battalion of the Brigade of the Guards [Ist Grenadiers] Indian Army" "Ishtur Phakra" means "Gallant Fighter" .
I have been in touch with the Web Master of the Indian Army, who directed me to the Historical Division of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India who in turn directed me to the Director General of the National Archives of India. From the latter, I have yet to receive an answer. I t has been well over 3 months now.
Basically, I have been trying to find out who Capt James Stewart was; where he came from[ perhaps Scotland] ; his original Regiment whether the European Regiment or the Indian Native Infantry. He may have been an artillery man - but I do not have any reference point for this. I have been wondering what made this officer so loved by both his own soldiers and his enemies. that even 250 years on his grave is revered with someone lighting candles and taking care of it.
May I have some help in this matter?
