Home > Travel > States of India > Michael Knatchbull
Michael Knatchbull
Michael Knatchbull GCSI, GCIE, MC was one of the most prominent Governors of Bengal Presidency in British India from the year 1937 to 1939.

Share this Article:

Michael Knatchbull, Governor of Bengal PresidencyMichael Knatchbull, officially known as Michael Herbert Rudolf Knatchbull, 5th Baron Brabourne, GCSI, GCIE, MC, was one of the most renowned Governors of Bengal Presidency from the year 1937 to 1939, in undivided India under the rule of the British Empire. He was also a British peer and a colonial soldier. Knatchbull was born on 8 May 1895 as the son of the 4th Baron Brabourne. He was baptized as Michael Herbert Rudolf Knatchbull Hugessen, but later dropped the Hugessen part of his surname in the year 1919. He received his education at Wellington College and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

Career of Michael Knatchbull
Michael Knatchbull served in the Royal Artillery and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and in the RAF, ascending to the rank of Captain. He participated in World War I and was awarded the Military Cross and mentioned in dispatches for 3 times, for his services. Michael Herbert Rudolf Knatchbull, 5th Baron Brabourne, was elected Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashford in the year 1931. Later from 1932 to 1933, he served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for British India, Samuel Hoare.

After the death of his father, Knatchbull succeeded as the Baron Brabourne in 1933. He was later appointed the Governor of Bombay. Michael Knatchbull was knighted with Knight Grand Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE). As the Governor of Bombay, he laid the foundation stone at the Brabourne Stadium cricket ground in the year 1936 after holding negotiations for the land with the Cricket Club of India (CCI). Michael Herbert Rudolf Knatchbull, 5th Baron Brabourne was honoured as the Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India (GCSI) in the year 1937.

In the same year he was appointed as the Governor of Bengal. The Bengal Presidency originally comprised east and west Bengal and was a colonial region of the British Empire in India. The region included the territories of undivided Bengal like West Bengal, Tripura, Orissa, Meghalaya, Bihar, Assam and modern Bangladesh. He was preceded by Sir John Anderson as the Governor of Bengal Presidency. Michael Knatchbull served in office till the year 1939 and was succeeded by John Arthur Herbert.

Personal Life of Michael Knatchbull
Michael Knatchbull was married with Lady Doreen Browne, who was the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Sligo on 22 January 1919. The couple had 2 children, namely Norton Cecil Michael Knatchbull, 6th Baron Brabourne and John Ulick Knatchbull, 7th Baron Brabourne. Michael Knatchbull died on 23 February 1939 and was buried at St. John`s Churchyard, Calcutta (now Kolkata) in British India.


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.