April

BARON KARL ALEXANDER von HUGEL

1795-1870

Botanist at the ‘Court of Lahore’

This versatile diplomat studied law at Heidelberg University and later served in the Austrian army as captain during the Napoleonic campaigns of 1813-14. He then left the army to devote himself to the study of natural sciences that was followed by an arduous journey through Europe and the Far East. In 1832, the Baron arrived in India and travelled throughout the remote regions of southern India.

The Baron’s first encounter at the Sikh court was with General Ventura at his residence where later a reception was hosted for him by Maharajah Runjeet Singh in 1836. He described General Ventura’s residence as splendours of the east blended with the comforts and ambience of a European dwelling. He vividly described his meeting with the Maharajah especially his flamboyant courtiers Raja Dhyan Singh, Raja Khushal Singh and Raja Suchet Singh all profusely dressed in jewels and the finest silks.

The Baron remained in the Punjab for nearly two years and compiled vast data of plants and species in Kashmir. He met General Hari Singh Nalwa at his splendid mansion in Gujranwala as well as the Governor of Wazirabad, General Paolo Avitabile where he halted en route to Kashmir. He praised his host Maharajah Runjeet Singh as a genius and was impressed at his secularism.

In 1837, he founded the Vienna Horticultural Society and thus became its first president. He might not have served the Maharajah but his contribution in the field of botany made a huge impact back in Europe. He was a brave soldier, an able diplomat who described vividly the grandeurs of the opulent Sikh court.

IMAGE AND CAPTIONS

001: Baron Karl Alexander von Hugel.

004: The Japanese Salon at the residence of Baron von Hugel in Vienna.

010: Baron von Hugel in his military attire taken in Florence, Italy.

029: Elizabeth Farquharson – the wife of Baron von Hugel.

038: Freidrich von Hugel – Eldest son of Baron von Hugel.

105: Armour from the Punjab in the Hugel Collection in Austria.

106: Armour from the Punjab in the Hugel Collection in Austria.

114: Armour from the Punjab in the Hugel Collection in Austria.

118: Statue of Baron von Hugel at Vienna erected in 1901.