Kishen Singh (explorer)
Rai Bahadur Kishen Singh or Krishna (c. 1850–1921) was a native Indian explorer, termed a pundit by the British, who was employed by the Survey of India.[1][2][3]
His code-name was 'A.K.' and his accomplishments would rival those of his famous cousin Nain Singh (code-named 'The Pundit').[4]
Kishen Singh | |
---|---|
Born | c. 1850 |
Died | 1921 | (aged 70–71)
Nationality | Indian |
Occupations | Asian explorer |
Early life
He was born to a trader named Deb Singh. He was born at
Education (1862–1867)
Singh simultaneous studied and worked as assistant at the Garbyang government school in the Dharchula area, and later progressed to obtain the Tehsil Mudarisi diploma from the Normal School at Almora. He taught at Milam Girls' School and the Garbyang government school.[5][6][7]
Explorer (1867–1885)
Hired and trained by the
- 1869 Mansarovarexpedition.
- 1871–1872 Shigache–Lhasa expedition.
- 1873–1874 Yarkand–Kashgar expedition, second expedition of this area by Sir Thomas Douglas Forsyth.
- 1878–1882 Irrawaddy rivers.
He was also the first person to map the Ramgarh crater on a finer scale of (1 : 63,360).[11]
Retirement and death (1885–1921)
Singh retired in 1885. In 1913 he became a guardian patron of the "Johar Upkarini Mahasabha" grassroot development co-operative society of the Johar Valley. He died in February 1921.[2][3]
Honors
He received the following:[1][2][3]
- Royal Geographic Society, an inscribed gold watch and 500 Indian rupees.
- Paris Geographical Society, a gold medal.
- Italian Geographic Society, a gold medal.
- British government of India, title of Rai Bahadur.
- British government of India: with a grant of jagir by British in Sitapur district of present-day Uttar Pradesh with annual revenue of INR1850.
See also
- Garhwali people
- Kumauni people
- Shauka - Johar
- List of explorers
- Cartography of India
References
Citations
- ^ a b c Derek J. Waller, 2004, "The Pundits: British Exploration of Tibet and Central Asia," University Press of Kentucky.
- ^ a b c Dr. Sher Singh Pangtey, 1992, "Madhya Himalaya Ki Bhotia Janjaati (Bhotia Tribe of the Central Himalayas)".
- ^ a b c Indra Singh Rawat, 1973, "Indian Explorers of the 19th Century".
- ISBN 978-1-61200-814-1.
- ^ a b Kenneth Mason, 1923, "Kishen Singh and the Indian Explorers", The Geographical Journal, Vol. LXII-July to December.
- ^ a b Babu Ram Singh Pangtey, 1980, "Johar Ka Itihaas (History of Johar)".
- ^ Oxford UniversityPress.
- ^ Clements R. Markham, 1878, "A Memoir on The Indian Surveys", 2nd Ed., W H Allen & Co., London, p.189.
- ^ Charles E. D. Black, 1891, "A Memoir on The Indian Surveys (1875–90)" , London , p.168.
- ^ Account of the Pundit's Journey in Great Tibet - Capt. H. Trotter, The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society (1877).
- ^ Balasundaram, M., Dube, A. Ramgarh, 1973, "Structure, India", Nature (journal), 242, 40 doi:10.1038/242040a0.
External links
- Discoverers Web description of this explorer's activities.