Alexander Gardner: Difference between revisions

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'''Alexander Gardner''', also spelled Gardiner, was a Scottish-American mercenary, who at times commanded Ranjit Singh's formidable artillery forces. He often wore a uniform befitting a Scottish Highlander, including a tartan turban. Gardiner played a fascinating and little-remembered part in this drama, having started in the Indian Army, then gradually working his way around the subcontinent.
'''Alexander Gardner''', also spelled Gardiner, was a Scottish-American mercenary, who at times commanded Ranjit Singh's formidable artillery forces. He often wore a uniform befitting a Scottish Highlander, including a tartan turban.  


He lived to a ripe old age,  well into his 90's, for a time he opened a shop shop in Srinagar, Kashmir's capital.  He entertained nearly every traveler and explorer who came through Kashmir on the way to the north and west. Very little is known about his life, as many of his stories were discounted by contemporaries, He did write a book after Singh's death, "The Fall of the Sikh Empire", reprint copies of which may be found after diligent search. If his stories are true, Gardiner explored more of the Hindu Kush, the Pamirs and the otherwise unknown and forbidden western Himalaya than anyone before him, and his travels were not equaled in scope for half a century. His problem was, he didn't explore to explore, he just tried to stay one step ahead of whoever was chasing him. Let's just say not all of his behavior was exemplary...here is a picture of him during the service to Singh, surrounded by other members of the Sikh army.
According to a story at Sikk Sangat.org /Jan 21, 2007:
:He lived to a ripe old age,  well into his 90's, for a time he opened a shop shop in Srinagar, Kashmir's capital.  He entertained nearly every traveler and explorer who came through Kashmir on the way to the north and west. Very little is known about his life, as many of his stories were discounted by contemporaries, He did write a book after Singh's death, "The Fall of the Sikh Empire", reprint copies of which may be found after diligent search. If his stories are true, Gardiner explored more of the Hindu Kush, the Pamirs and the otherwise unknown and forbidden western Himalaya than anyone before him, and his travels were not equaled in scope for half a century. His problem was, he didn't explore to explore, he just tried to stay one step ahead of whoever was chasing him. Let's just say not all of his behavior was exemplary...here is a picture of him during the service to Singh, surrounded by other members of the Sikh army.


G. Grey in his book, ''European Adventures Of Northern India, 1785 to 1849'',  describes Alexander Gardner as a fake calling his Memoirs fictitious. He credits Claude Auguste Court as the "architect of Sikh artillery."  
G. Grey in his book, ''European Adventures Of Northern India, 1785 to 1849'',  describes Alexander Gardner as a fake calling his Memoirs fictitious. He credits Claude Auguste Court as the "architect of Sikh artillery."  
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European Adventures Of Northern India, 1785 to 1849, first published in 1929 and reprinted by the Languages Department, Punjab, Patiala, in 1970.
European Adventures Of Northern India, 1785 to 1849, first published in 1929 and reprinted by the Languages Department, Punjab, Patiala, in 1970.
Sikk Sangat.org /Jan 21, [http://www.sikhsangat.org/ssn/publish/USA_19/Scottish-American_Mercenary_of_Ranjit_Singhs_Army_9887.shtml]

Revision as of 12:38, 5 December 2007

Alexander Gardner, also spelled Gardiner, was a Scottish-American mercenary, who at times commanded Ranjit Singh's formidable artillery forces. He often wore a uniform befitting a Scottish Highlander, including a tartan turban.

According to a story at Sikk Sangat.org /Jan 21, 2007:

He lived to a ripe old age, well into his 90's, for a time he opened a shop shop in Srinagar, Kashmir's capital. He entertained nearly every traveler and explorer who came through Kashmir on the way to the north and west. Very little is known about his life, as many of his stories were discounted by contemporaries, He did write a book after Singh's death, "The Fall of the Sikh Empire", reprint copies of which may be found after diligent search. If his stories are true, Gardiner explored more of the Hindu Kush, the Pamirs and the otherwise unknown and forbidden western Himalaya than anyone before him, and his travels were not equaled in scope for half a century. His problem was, he didn't explore to explore, he just tried to stay one step ahead of whoever was chasing him. Let's just say not all of his behavior was exemplary...here is a picture of him during the service to Singh, surrounded by other members of the Sikh army.

G. Grey in his book, European Adventures Of Northern India, 1785 to 1849, describes Alexander Gardner as a fake calling his Memoirs fictitious. He credits Claude Auguste Court as the "architect of Sikh artillery."


References


European Adventures Of Northern India, 1785 to 1849, first published in 1929 and reprinted by the Languages Department, Punjab, Patiala, in 1970.

Sikk Sangat.org /Jan 21, [1]