NICHOLSON, :roux (1521-57). A British general and administrator in India. He was born in Dublin, December 11, 1S21. At eighteen ho received a cadetship in the Bengal infantry. In 1841 he fought heroically to defend Ghazni against the Afghans, but was taken prisoner and cruelly treated. His t-seape was followed by a period of inactivity, during which he was sta tioned at ..1leernt, doing duty as adjutant of his regiment. On the breaking out of the Sikh War in 1845, lie served in the eampaign on the Sutlej, and was present at the battle of Firozshah, though he hail no opportunity to distinguish him self. After the war, through the recommendation of Colonel Lawrence, Nicholson, now a lieutenant, was appointed assistant to the Resident at the conquered capital, Lahore, and thus fairly trans ferred to the political branch of the service, in which most of his future life was passed. But with the outbreak of the rebellion in 1848 came an interlude of military activity. in which lie greatly distinguished himself. At the battles of Chillianwalla and Gujerat lie earned the ap proval of Lord Gough, to whom he was imme diately attached.
When the Punjab finally became a British province, Captain Nicholson \vas appointed dep uty commissioner under the Lahore Board, of which Sir Henry Lawrence was president. During a furlough, 1550 to 1551, he studied military af fairs in the great European capitals. For five years after his return to India lie was engaged in ad ministrative duties IiillImg the savage tribes of the Punjab. Ilk success in bringing them under
thorough subjection to law and order was very great; and such was the impression of fear and reverence wrought by the force and personal ity of the man. that he became among these rude populations, under the title of `Nikkul Seyn,' the object of a curious kind of hero-worship. In the great mutiny of 1557 lie did noble service for England in helping save the Punjab. When everything was safe behind him, he marched to reinforce the army of General Wilson, engaged in the siege of Delhi. Ilk presence and counsels gave new life to the operations, and in every way lie strove to expedite the delayed assault. When the attack on the city was at last ordered. Gen eral Nicholson. as he was now, led the first col umn. As the troops forced their way into the city. Nicholson exposed himself fearlessly to ani mate his men. Conspicuous by his great stature. be became the mark of the enemy's bullets and fell, shot through the holy. After great suf fering lie died September 23, 1557. Consult: ofliecrs (London, 15671; nistory of the sepoy ll'ar in India lib_ 1.4171 Malleson, iNtory of the Indian Huth:// lib., 1597) : Trotter. Life of John Nicholson., Sol die and Administrator, Hasrfl on Private and rto r n publish eel borum ts (i13-.