Douglas Hamilton - Hills Surveys

Hills Surveys

In 1862 he was relieved of routine regimental duties and given a roving commission by Sir Charles Trevelyan, the Finance Minister of India and former Governor of Madras Presidency, to conduct surveys and make drawings for the Government of all the hill plateaus in Southern India which were likely to suit as Sanitaria, or quarters for European troops. Thereafter, Douglas Hamilton was on "special duty" with the 44th Regiment, Madras Native Infantry.

A series of careful drawings by Douglas Hamilton of the Annaimalai Hills, Palani Hills and Shevaroy Hills was the result. While at work on this commission he had great opportunities to follow his favorite pursuit, and also to observe the habits of the various animals inhabiting the different districts. These well-known drawings showed him as an accurate observer and a careful draughtsman. Each series of drawings was accompanied by a Survey article describing all aspects of the district. Some of his publications about these surveys include:

Berijam Swamp was first described in 1864 by Hamilton. In 1864, Hamilton submitted a report that stated that the Berijam Lake area was the best site in the Palani Hills for a military cantonment or Sanatorium.

Hamilton described the place as being located near a lake. As the report progressed, however, it became clear that what Hamilton initially had termed a lake was no such thing: it was a valley where he thought he detected evidence of an ancient lake bed. The distinction seemed scarcely worthy of note to Hamilton, so persuaded was he that this location offered the most picturesque environment for a settlement. "Let but the lake be reconstructed and a road made to it, and this magnificent sheet of water . . . will of itself attract residents to its vicinity. "The Fort Hamilton military outpost, later built there, was named for him.

In March 1866 he went to the Budan Hills for the purpose of making drawings and a report. In August, 1870, he obtained three months' leave due to poor health and went to Australia. He visited King George Sound, Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide, and returned to Madras in November much better health.

Commissions

The dates of Gen. Douglas Hamilton's military commissions indicate ten promotions in his 54 year career:

Ensign- 1 January 1834, Military school

Lieutenant- 12 June 1837, the year he arrived in Madras.

Captain- 31 January 1838, rapid promotion

Major- 29 June 1858 (*2 March 1847, regimental duty in Singapore)

Lieut.-Col. 1 January 1862- (*1853, return from 3 year furlough in England)

Brevet colonel, 1 January 1867

Substantive Colonel- 1 January 1874 (*1 January 1862, begin commission from Sir Charles Trevelyan)

Major-Gen.- 1 October 1877

(Major general, transferred to unemployed supernumerary list), 1 July 1881 (*1 January 1867, before return to England)

Lieut.-Gen.-10 March 1882 (*1 October 1877, declining health)

General- 1 December 1888

(*) dates from autobiography vary from dates in London Gazette and Army Lists except General.