Sir Thomas Metcalfe, 4th Baronet
Sir Thomas Metcalfe, Bt., KCB | |
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Sir Theophilus John Metcalfe, 5th Baronet Emily Ann Theophila Metcalfe Charles Theophilus Metcalfe Georgiana Charlotte Theophila Metcalfe Eliza Theophila Debonnaire Metcalfe Sophia Selena Theophila Metcalfe |
Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, 4th Baronet,
Biography
Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe was born on 2 January 1795 at 49
In 1830, Metcalfe began to build the "Metcalfe House" on the outskirts of Delhi, taking land belonging to Gurjar villagers. He filled it with his collections of art, books and relics of Napoleon.[5] The Metcalfe House was called Matka Kothi by the bearers and khansamahs (chefs) serving Sir Thomas, as they found it difficult to pronounce the name Metcalfe.[6]
In 1835, Metcalfe became the agent at Delhi after the murder of William Fraser and ran the "Delhi Territory", the area around the old capital under British control since 1803.[6] He succeeded his brother as Baronet in 1844, and became an important figure in the cultural climate of Delhi.[4]
While working in India as the Governor-General's Agent at the Imperial court of the
During the rainy season he used to stay at 'Dilkusha' (Delight of the Heart), which was built on the first floor of the tomb of Mohammed Quli Khan, brother of
While his main house was a colonial bungalow, built in 1844, its library contained over 20,000 books including Napoleon memorabilia, however, during the Uprising of 1857 the library was destroyed and looted.[11] He was invested with the Order of the Bath, and became a Knight Commander in the same order.[12]
Metcalfe was allegedly poisoned by one of
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Metcalfe House was sacked by the Gurjar villagers from whom the land was bought to erect the building.[15]
Family
His father was
He married, firstly, Grace Clarke, daughter of Alexander Clarke, on 7 June 1815, by whom he had one daughter. He married, secondly, to Felicite Anne Browne, on 13 July 1826, by whom he had one son and two daughters. He was succeeded in his title by his eldest son, Sir Theophilus John Metcalfe, 5th Baronet, who was also in the Indian Civil Service.[citation needed]
Death
In 1853 Metcalfe suffered a digestive disorder which led to his slow death. His doctors believed that the ailment was caused by poison, since the symptoms were similar to those seen in certain "inconvenient" high ranking members of the Mughal royal family such as Mirza Fakhru who was a friend of Metcalfe. Metcalfe's family, and Metcalfe himself, suspected that he was being administered poison on the instructions of
Reminiscences of Imperial Delhi
Reminiscences of Imperial Delhi, also called the
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Different views of the Metcalfe House, Delhi, 1843, which now houses theDRDO).
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A panorama in 12 folds showing the procession of the EmperorBahadur Shah Zafar IIto celebrate the feast of the 'Id., 1843.
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Details of the tomb ofColonel James Skinner C.B. at St. James' Church, Delhi, and Styles and titles in Persian of Metcalfe as Agent of Governor-General of India(right page)
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Description of assassination of William Frazer, Agent to the Governor-General of India, on 22 March 1835, in Delhi.
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Scenes from a Royal procession, and a party ofSkinner's Horseregiment.
Architectural legacy
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Another of Metcalf's follies, close to the Qutb Minar parking lot, Mehrauli.
References
- ^ "Biography and Genealogy".
- ^ "Metcalfe, Sir Thomas Theophilus (1795-1853)". National Register of Archives. The National Archives. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/40847. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- ^ a b c "Images Of A Lost Empire". Redhotcurry Limited. 18 August 2003. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ^ "Reminiscences of Imperial Dehlie". the-south-asian.com. September 2003. Archived from the original on 8 January 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ^ a b "This time, that age". The Hindu. 29 December 2003. Archived from the original on 31 January 2004. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ^ "'The Delhi Book' of Thomas Metcalfe". Prints, Drawings and Photographs Section. The British Library. Archived from the original on 22 March 2007. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ^ "Reminiscences of Imperial Delhi". British Library.
- ^ "About the Delhi Book". The Guardian. 16 August 2003.
- ^ The tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan, brother of Adham Khan, converted to a residence by Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, British Library. Accessed 2 December 2022.
- ^ Sir Theophilus Metcalfe's House, Delhi. British Library.
- ^ Kenneth G Metcalf. "Metcalf Family History and Genealogy". Metcalf History. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
- ^ A case of Delhi poisoning?, Hindu.com. 5 April 2004.
- ^ The tomb of Sir Thomas Metcalfe in Delhi, British Library. Accessed 2 December 2022.
- ISBN 81-250-2045-4.
- ^ Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, 1st Baronet (1745-1813), British Library. Accessed 2 December 2022.
- ^ Prints & Drawings full record display for shelfmark P2204 British Library. Accessed 2 December 2022.
- ^ "The Hindu : A case of Delhi poisoning?". 6 November 2004. Archived from the original on 6 November 2004.
Sources
Further reading
- The Golden Calm: an English lady's life in Moghul Delhi : reminiscences by Emily, Lady Clive Bayley, and by her father Sir Thomas Metcalfe, by Emily Bayley, Thomas Metcalfe, edited by M. M. Kaye. Published by Webb & Bower.
- Thomas Metcalf. Imperial Connections: India in the Indian Ocean Arena, 1860–1920 Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0-520-24946-2.
- Metcalfe History www.metcalfhistory.com