Major Herbert Edwardes, CB, 1850 (c)

Coloured lithograph by J H Lynch after Henry Moseley. Published by Henry Squire and Company, London, 17 April 1850.

Edwardes (1819-1868) was a soldier and administrator in British India. After serving with the 1st Bengal European Infantry, he joined General Sir Hugh Gough's staff during the First Sikh War (1845-1846). Afterwards, he became one of the Sir Henry Lawrence's assistants, playing a leading role in the affairs of the Punjab, Jammu, Kashmir and the North-West Frontier. As Political Agent in Bannu District, he reformed the civil and military administration by force of personality alone. Bannu town was later re-named in his honour as Edwardesabad.

During the Second Sikh War (1848-1849), Edwardes raised a force of Pathan irregular troops that played a crucial role in countering the activities of Diwan Mulraj Chopra at Multan. Appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his services, he journeyed home to a heroes welcome, receiving the thanks of both Houses of Parliament. Edwardes later returned to India, serving as commissioner of Peshawar (1853-1859). He finally retired to England because of ill-health in 1865.