Charles Napier

Profession: General

Nationality:

Biography: Napier was a British military officer that served in the Peninsular War against Napoleon Bonaparte, later he led the Bombay Army in the conquest of the Sindh. Finally he served as Governor of Sindh and Commander-in-Chief in India.

During the Peninsular War in Iberia, Napier commanded a regiment which fought against Napoleon Bonaparte. During the Battle of Corunna, Napier was wounded and left for dead only to be rescued near-death by the French and taken as a prisoner of war. Later he volunteered to return to the Iberian Peninsula in 1810, when he fought against Napoleon again in several battles.

At age 60, Napier was appointed Major General in charge of an army in Bombay. This involvement led him to the Sindh Province, where he was to put down an insurrection by Muslim rulers who continued to resist the British.

While Napier was only ordered to quell the rebels, he exceeded this by conquering the entire territory. This has entered history with the claim that Napier reported this by way of a pun: the Latin 'Peccavi,' which translates to "I have Sindh/sinned."

Born: August 10, 1782
Birthplace: Whitehall Palace, London, England, United Kingdom
Star Sign: Leo

Died: August 29, 1853 (aged 71)
Cause of Death: Complications from catching a cold after serving as a pallbearer at the Duke of Wellington's funeral