ELPHINSTONE, MOUNTSTUART (1779-1859).
An Anglo-Indian statesman and historian, one of the founders of the Indian Empire, the fourth son of John, eleventh Baron Elphinstone. Part of his boyhood was spent in Edinburgh Castle, of which stronghold his father was governor. He Ivan educated at the Edinburgh High School, and afterwards at Kensington. In his seven teenth year he proceeded to Calcutta in the em ploy of the East India Company, and two years later, in 1798, escaped the massacre of Europeans at Benares only by the fleetness of his horse. He became assistant to the British Resident at Poonah in 1801, and later. although a civilian, acted as aide-de-camp to Sir Arthur Wellesley, and took an active part in the battles of Assaye, Argaum, and Gawilgarh. After the Mahratta War lie was appointed Resident at Nagpur. In 1838 lie was sent as Envoy to Kabul, and in I811 was made Itesident at Poonah. On the renewal of hostilities with the Nahrattas in 1817 he assumed command of the English troops during the battle of Kirki, and contributed largely to their success.
Ile subsequently governed the conquered districts with remarkable force and considerateness, pre serving the native customs and rights, so as to win the regard of his subjects, at d strengthen British rule. 111 1821)-27 lie was Lieutenant-Gover nor of Bombay, and drew up the Elphinst 'tie Code of laws. which laid the foundation of State educa tion in India. lie spent two years in travel, visiting Egypt, Palestine, Greece, Turkey, Italy, and France, and returned to England in 1829. after thirty-three years' absence. Ile was twice otrered the Governor-Generalship of India, but declined, and his last thirty years were devoted to study :Id authorship. Ile wrote Art itceotrnl of the Kintaloin of Cabal and Its Drgendencirs in Tartary. Persia, and India (1815), and a His tory of India ( 1511 ) Loth are standard ant lam it les. A in ilk was precti.(1 in Stint Paul's Cathedral Consult Colebroke, Life of Monntstuart Elphinstone (Lomita]. 1881), and Heber, Italian Journal I London,