Home > Travel > States of India > Donald Friell McLeod
Donald Friell McLeod
Donald Friell McLeod was the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab from the year 1865 to 1870 in undivided India under the rule of the British administration.

Share this Article:

Donald Friell McLeod, formally known as Sir Donald Friell McLeod CB KCSI, was the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab from the year 1865 to 1870, in undivided India under the rule of the British Empire. Punjab was annexed by British East India Company in 1849 after Second Anglo Sikh War through Treaty of Lahore. He was also one of the founding members of Punjab University, also known as University of the Punjab or the Lahore Oriental University. McLeod was a well known philanthropic administrator and advocator of education of both Oriental studies and European literature studies in British dominated India.

Sir Donald Friell McLeod was born on 6 May 1810 in Fort William, Calcutta (now Kolkata) as the son of Lieutenant General Duncan McLeod. He received his education at Edinburgh High School in Dulwich, Putney and Haileybury. In the year 1828, McLeod returned to Bengal as an officer to begin his career. He worked in the Sagar and Nerbudda territories and Benares from the year 1831 to 1849. Donald Friell McLeod later became the Commissioner of Jalandhar in the year 1849 and Judicial Commissioner of the British Punjab in the year 1854.

During the Great Revolt of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, Sir Donald Friell McLeod CB KCSI was at Lahore and was knighted with the Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. Eventually he was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of British Punjab. McLeod served in office from 10 January 1865 to 1 June 1870. In the year 1866, he was knighted with Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India. Sir Donald Friell McLeod CB KCSI acted as the Chairman of the Sind in Punjab and Delhi Railway. After he retired, McLeod settled in London.

Sir Donald Friell McLeod CB KCSI was a philanthropist and articulated religious opinions. He established the University of Punjab (Lahore Oriental University) in Lahore, British Punjab as the local populace of the region lacked education. As a result of this, he was praised and respected by the British officials and the natives. McLeod also promoted Oriental Studies and gave his opinion on education in vernaculars. The British Government of India introduced vernacular languages along with English due to the efforts of Donald Friell McLeod.

Sir Donald Friell McLeod died on 28 November 1872 from an accident in the London Underground.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in States of India


East Indian States
East Indian States comprises of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and also the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It defines the cultural heritage, rich historical background and the linguistic unity.
Erode District
Erode District is one of the districts in the state of Tamil Nadu. The district of Erode is having a land-locked area with no sea coast.
Purnia District in Bihar
Purnia District is located in Bihar and extends from River Ganga to Nepal. The district has a rich Hindu history and glorious past.
South Delhi District
South Delhi District is the third largest district of Delhi as far as its area is concerned. South Delhi District is known for its economic, historical, cultural and social significance.
North Indian States
North Indian States formed the cultural and religious unity in spite of having many foreign invasion and the political disturbances from the early era till the British gained supremacy in Indian sub continent.
Kendujhar District
Kendujhar District, spread over an area of 8,240 sq kms, is as varied as the whole of Orissa with waterfalls roaring gorges, mountains and minerals. The manifold expressions of nature in Kendujhar District are considered as unique.
Hooghly district
Hooghly District along the bank of the river Hooghly is one of the principal trading ports of West Bengal.
Districts of South Tamil Nadu
Districts of South Tamil Nadu consist of many tourism destinations like archaeological sites and the history of Pandyas and Cholas. Considering their proximity to the sea, many districts also boast of serene beaches and coastal beauty.
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh
Flora of Arunachal Pradesh includes infinite species and is a subject of great interests for the botanists.
Districts of South Gujarat
Districts of South Gujarat are the epicenter of Jain pilgrimages and the early Hindu kingdoms.
North West States of India
North West States of India consist of three states, which are Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana. All of them are culturally and traditionally diverse and they have been ruled by different dynasties in historical time.
Geography Of Chittoor District
Geography of Chittoor district is spread along the topography of the land which is divided into two natural divisions; Chittoor has a dry and healthy climate.
Districts of North Rajasthan
District of Northern part of Rajasthan is dotted with ancient forts and medieval villages.
Districts of North Odisha
District of North Odisha has Bengal boundary and shares the same culture. These are reachable if one pays a weekend visit to Digha.
Districts of West Bihar
Districts of West Bihar is comprised of medieval monuments that were built by the different governors of Mughal era.
Districts of South Haryana
Districts of South Haryana consists of many cities of industrial excellence. These districts are dotted with popular tourism destinations.
Medieval History of Assam
Medieval history of Assam narrates the advent and rule of a number of kingdoms in the region. The prominent dynasties of the kingdom left an everlasting imprint on the socio cultural heritage of India.
Geography of Meghalaya
The suitable climate, highland plateaus, rivers and the flora and fauna together forms the geography of Meghalaya.
Districts of Rayalaseema
Districts of Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh state has urban population and rural settlements as well.
Districts of South Punjab
Districts of Southern part of Punjab depict medieval history of Punjab and the rise of Sikhs.