Dictionary of Indian Biography/Christie, John
CHRISTIE, JOHN (1805–1869)
Entered the Indian Army, 1822, and the 3rd Light Cavalry, 1823 : at the capture of Bhartpur, 1826 : was selected by the C.in C., Sir Henry Fane, to raise, for Shah Shuja's force, the 1st Irregular Cavalry, later known as Christie's Horse, which he commanded to the end of the first Afghan war, 1839–42 : was at the occupation of Kandahar and pursuit of the Sirdars to the Helmund under Sir Robert Sale : at Ghazni, and Kabul in 1839 : accompanied Outram in pursuit of the Amir Dost Muhammad across the Hindu Kush : in the Kandahar Division under Sir W. Nott in 1842 : at the occupation of Ghazni and Kabul, the taking of Istalif, and the final march through the Khyber to India : was at the battle of Punniar, 1843 : in the Satlaj campaign of 1845–6, at Mudki, Firozshahr and Sobraon : Brevet-Major : throughout the Panjab campaign, including Chilianwala and Gujarat, and the pursuit of the Sikhs and Afghans, always in command of his regiment : Brevet-Lt-Colonel : returned from England to India on the outbreak of the mutiny, commanded the Dinapur Brigade, and kept Patna perfectly quiet : afterwards in command at Barrackpur and Berhampur : commanded the 3rd Bengal Cavalry : Maj-General, 1861 : joined the Bengal Staff Corps, 1866 : C.B., 1867 : and A.D.C. to Queen Victoria : received many medals and the Order of the Durani for his services in Afghanistan : died at San Remo, May 7, 1869 : buried there.