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Col.James Skinner and his connection with Hansi
Col. James Skinner was one of the most interesting figures of early 19th Century north India. He was born to an Indian mother and a British father and because of this mixed heritage he could not secure any job with the East India Company during the early stages of his life. Later he joined the Schindia Army (Gwalior State) and served under the French officers and was the part of Maratha campaign against George Thomas, an Irishman who had taken control over a large part of present day Haryana. Last of the battles against George Thomas was fought in Hansi (now a part of District Hisar) in December 1801,in which Thomas had agreed to surrender the fort of Hansi to Marathas.
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James Skinner
British East India Company was also trying to take this territory under their control at around the same time and hence the clash between the Marathas and the Company was inevitable. Situation was even more tough for those few Englishmen who were the part of Maratha army and James was one of them. These Englishmen had decided not to fight against their own countrymen and because of which they had to leave the Maratha army in 1803. Later they joined the English company army, under Lord Lake and went on to fight several battles for them. Battle of Bharatpur was one of them.
James had raised a regiment of irregular cavalry known as “Skinner’s Horse” which later became a part of regular army. As a part of company army this regiment went on to fight in the first Anglo-Afghan war (1839-1842). Even after more than 200 years, it is still a part of Indian Army (but the difference now is that the Tanks have replaced the horses but it is still Skinner's Horse Regiment).
James had raised a regiment of irregular cavalry known as “Skinner’s Horse” which later became a part of regular army. As a part of company army this regiment went on to fight in the first Anglo-Afghan war (1839-1842). Even after more than 200 years, it is still a part of Indian Army (but the difference now is that the Tanks have replaced the horses but it is still Skinner's Horse Regiment).
James was granted a jagir of Hansi and a few nearby villages by the company for his loyal services in 1818. In 1828, he was given the rank of Col. and was conferred with the Companion of the order of the Bath (C.B.).
Several buildings were commissioned by him in and around Hansi apart from the famous St.James Church and his nearby situated Haveli in Delhi (Near Kashmere Gate).
Skinner's Residence at Hansi
Skinner had built his residence in Hansi whichis still there used to be there till few months back but has now become a history just like Col. James Skinner himself. The place where this was once situated is known as “Maim ka Bagh”. Some of his descendants used to live there till few years back.
The only thing that is (perhaps) still surviving is a large, beautiful white colored gate at the entrance.(Next to the Jat Dharamshala, Hansi)
In the book of William Dalrymple,"City of Djinns", several letters are mentioned which were written by Mr. William Fraser from the residence of Col. Skinner in Hansi. Perhaps it was the same place. William Fraser was a close friend and a business partner of Col.Skinner and later became the Commissioner of Delhi Territory.
This residence had also found its mention in another famous book of William Dalrymple,The last Mughal.
"The Skinners' sprawling Georgian House at Hansi was the mansion her (Elizabeth Wagentrieber) father had built at his principal country seat, and from where in happier days Sikandar had run both his irregular cavalry regiment and his stud"
Small fort like structure in Village Dhana, near Hansi
Col. Skinner had also built a small fort like structure in the village Dhana, 5-6 Km from Hansi, on NH-10, towards Delhi.
Several buildings were commissioned by him in and around Hansi apart from the famous St.James Church and his nearby situated Haveli in Delhi (Near Kashmere Gate).
Skinner's Residence at Hansi
Skinner had built his residence in Hansi which
The only thing that is (perhaps) still surviving is a large, beautiful white colored gate at the entrance.(Next to the Jat Dharamshala, Hansi)
Entrance to Maim ka Bagh
(situated on NH-10)
In the book of William Dalrymple,"City of Djinns", several letters are mentioned which were written by Mr. William Fraser from the residence of Col. Skinner in Hansi. Perhaps it was the same place. William Fraser was a close friend and a business partner of Col.Skinner and later became the Commissioner of Delhi Territory.
This residence had also found its mention in another famous book of William Dalrymple,The last Mughal.
"The Skinners' sprawling Georgian House at Hansi was the mansion her (Elizabeth Wagentrieber) father had built at his principal country seat, and from where in happier days Sikandar had run both his irregular cavalry regiment and his stud"
-p233, The Last Mughal
Sir Theophilus Metcalfe-'Theo' had stayed here after escaping from Delhi (via Jhajjar) on the outbreak of the revolt of 1857.
Col. Skinner had also built a small fort like structure in the village Dhana, 5-6 Km from Hansi, on NH-10, towards Delhi.
I got the chance to visit Dhana on 14th July 2012 and found that whatever he might have built, it was nearly gone now. Except a small arched gateway(see below photograph) and a tiny section of wall inside, there was nothing left there. This small fortification was built in the year 1841 (as per the inscription on it).
Skinner died later that year on 4th December 1841. He was initially buried at Hansi graveyard(situated near his residence in Hansi) but later on his remains were moved to St. James’ Church in Delhi, which too was built by him.
Skinner died later that year on 4th December 1841. He was initially buried at Hansi graveyard(situated near his residence in Hansi) but later on his remains were moved to St. James’ Church in Delhi, which too was built by him.
Entrance of the fort
Entrance from inside
Corridors alongside the entrance
Side View of the entrance
This monument is situated at the end of a street besides Govt. Girls School of the village and its Co-ordinates are - 29°05’14.64”N 76°01’23.00”E
In the National Army Museum of London, there is a painting by an Indian Artisit Ghulam Ali Khan (commissioned by James Skinner) of the year 1828 which shows Col. James Skinner riding in his carriage, at his estate in Dhana. This fortification is also visible in the background (which confirms that it was built prior to 1828).
1828 painting by Ghulam Ali Khan (with Dhana fortification visible in the background)
(Courtesy:- National Army Museum, London)
This fortification is not the only thing left in the village, bearing the name of Col. James Skinner. Through Sh.Jagdish Saini (Author and Historian), i came to know about a small pond situated close to this fortification and also having an inscription related to James Skinner.
Nearby pond at village Dhana (Hansi)
Inscription near the pond.
It reads
"Built by Colonel J Skinner C.B.1840"
Same lines are written below in Persian (perhaps)
Other structures associated with Col.James Skinner
It is believed that the two beautiful mausoleums, situated on one end inside Hansi's famous Dargah Char Qutub complex belong to two of his wives who were the followers of Islam.
(Source:- Hansi:Ek Etihaasik Dharohar by Sh.Jagdish Saini)
There are few villages nearby which were named after him and his children. For example- Sikandarpura (after Skinner himself, who was used to be called by natives as Sikandar, instead of Skinner), Alakhpura (after his son Alex) and Enipura (after his daughter Annie).
Skinner was so much native in his ways that when he wrote his two books, he opted for Persian. It was believed that he was more proficient in native tongues than in English.
I have collected the above information from the following sources:-
from “Hansi:Ek Etihaasik Dharohar” (History of Hansi) written by Sh.Jagdish Saini(an author and Historian) and from “Military Memoir of Lieut-Col. James Skinner, C. B.” by James Baillie Fraser.
About Hansi :- It is one of the oldest cities of Haryana and it situated in district Hisar. It is at 130 Km from Delhi and 27 Km from Hisar (on NH-10)
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