Joseph Davey Cunningham

Author

1812 – 1851

78

Who was Joseph Davey Cunningham?

Joseph Davey Cunningham, was the author of the book History of the Sikhs and an authority in Punjab historiography. His father was the famous Scottish poet and author Allan Cunningham and his brother was the archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham.

At an early age he was reported to have shown such an aptitude for mathematics that his father was advised to send him to Cambridge. However, since he desired to become a soldier, a cadetship in the British East India Company's service was procured for him, through the good offices of Sir Walter Scott. After a reported brilliant career at Addiscombe Military Academy, he sailed for India in 1834.

He was first employed on the staff of the chief engineer of Bengal Presidency in 1834. In 1837, he was appointed assistant to Colonel Wade, the political agent on the Sikh frontier. For the next eight years he held and occupied several political positions in this area under Colonel Wade and his successors until 1845. At time of the outbreak of the first Sikh War, he was a political agent in the state of Bahawalpur.

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Born
1812
Also known as
  • Joseph Cunningham
Parents
Siblings
Died
1851

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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