BISUDHWANANDA, SWAMI (1820–1899)
Bansidhar (his original name) was a son of a Kanauj Brahman of Cawnpur, born near Hyderabad, (in the Dekkan) : learnt some Persian and Urdu under a Maulvi : entered the Nizam's service, was an excellent horseman, and a great favourite, but, failing to obtain justice in a quarrel over a horse, he set fire to all his earthly possessions, besmeared his body with the ashes, and left Hyderabad, visited places of pilgrimage and sacred shrines, observed the strictest discipline of a monk, took to studying Sanskrit, and in a few years became an accomplished grammarian (Panini School) : spent three years at Hardwar in study and meditation : removed to Benares, and took up his abode at a ghat; read all the Darsans (Hindu philosophy); became a Sanyasi (devotee); assumed a new name, isudhwananda, ("unalloyed peace"), and occupied the seat of Gaurswami at Ahlia Bai's Brahmapuri, till his death in April, 1899 : of high stature, strong will, great piety, and profound learning, he commanded great respect among all classes : princes and people sought his advice : he was a great admirer of British rule in India.
BITTLESTON, SIR ADAM (1817–1892)
Educated at Merchant Taylors' school : called to the bar from the Inner Temple, 1841 : Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, Madras, 1858–62 : knighted : and of the High Court, Madras, 1862–70, when he retired : died Jan. 18, 1892.
BLACKBURNE, SIR WILLIAM (1764–1839)
Political : joined the Madras Army in 1782 : served against the Poligars in 1784, and in the defeat of Tippoo, 1892 : was Interpreter of Mahratti at Tanjore in 1787 under the Resident, and was himself Resident, 1801–23 : remodelled the administration there and in Pudukota : was sent on missions to Travancore : Maj-General : knighted 1838 : died Oct. 16, 1839.
BLACKER, VALENTINE (1778–1823)
Soldier, historian : born Oct. 19, 1778 : entered the Madras Army, 1798 : in the Mysore campaign : at Malavilli : in the Nizam's country : was Q.M.G. 1810 : was under Sir Thomas Hislop at Mahidpurin 1817 and in the Dekkan : Lt-Colonel and Surveyor-General of India : C.B. in 1818 : died at Calcutta, 1823 : wrote a military memoir of the Mahratta war of 1817–19.
BLACKLOCK, AMBROSE (1816–1873)
Doctor : son of a medical officer of the Navy ; born in 1816 : educated at Edin-burgh : joined the medical service in Madras in 1840 : Professor of Surgery, and Surgeon, General Hospital, Madras, 1851 : in 1858 Professor of Medicine, and Physician there : in 1870 Deputy Inspector-General : died at Chitore Feb. 11, 1873.
BLACKWOOD, GEORGE FREDERICK (1838–1880)
Major : son of Major William Blackwood of the Bengal Army : born 1838 : educated at the Edinburgh Academy, and Addis-combe : joined the Bengal Artillery : Lieut., 1857 : in the mutiny served with the Rohilkund movable column : commanded the Artillery in the Lushai expedition of 1871–2 under General Bourchier (q.v.) : at Tipai Mukh and other actions : Brevet Major : commanded the Artillery under General Burrows at Maiwand on July 27, 1880 : fell in battle : his little band of men was the last which made any stand against Ayub Khan's forces.
BLACKWOOD, SIR HENRY, BARONET (1770–1832)
Son of Sir John Blackwood, Bart. : born Dec. 28, 1770 : entered the Navy, 1781 : was employed on various stations in several ships : continually engaged : was at Trafalgar, 1805, and at the blockade of Toulon, 1810 : Baronet, 1814 : K.C.B. 1819 : was C. in C. on the East Indian station, 1819–22 : Vice-Admiral, 1821, and commanded at the Nore, 1827–30 : died Dec. 17, 1832.
BLAIR, JAMES (1828–1905)
Born Jan. 27, 1828 : son of Captain E. M. Blair of the Bengal Cavalry : entered the Army in 1844 : in the mutiny of 1857–9 : fought at Nimbhara and Ziran : was at the sieges of Neemuch and Kotah, and in the pursuit of Tantia Topi : gained the V.C. for gallant and daring conduct on two occasions.on Aug. 12, 1857 at Neemuch and Oct. 23, 1857, at Jeerum : Political Resident and Brig-General at Aden,
