John Beames
John Beames was a British civil servant and author whose career in India spanned over three decades. Serving in the Punjab and Bengal from 1859 until his retirement in 1893, Beames developed a profound understanding of Indian culture, history, and languages. His scholarly pursuits led him to produce a significant work in the field of linguistics: a comparative grammar of Indo-Aryan languages, published in three volumes between 1872 and 1879. This work is notable for its comprehensive analysis and remains a valuable resource in the study of these languages. After retiring, Beames reflected on his experiences in India, culminating in his memoir, "Memoirs of a Bengal Civilian," which was published posthumously in 1961. His writings not only document his personal journey but also provide insights into the complexities of colonial life and the rich tapestry of Indian society during a transformative period. Beames' contributions to linguistics and his unique perspective as a civil servant have left a lasting impact on the understanding of Indo-Aryan languages and the historical context of British India.
Famous Quotes
View all 13 quotes“O sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beamsThat bring to my remembrance from what state I fell, how glorious once above thy sphere.””
“As Patron-Sponser, I am charged with..."-he pasued and consulted the notes-"adding a sense of royal cachet to proceedings today."He waited while a ripple of conversation ran around the room. Nobody was quite sure what adding a sense of royal cachet really meant. But everyone agreed that it sounded impressive indeed. Lady Pauline's mouth twitched in a smile and she looked down at the table. Halt found something of vast interest in the ceiling beams high above. Duncan continued.My second duty is..."-again he consulted his notes to make sure he had the wording correct-"to provide an extremly expensive present to the bride and groom..."Lady Pualine's head jerked at that. She leaned forward and turned to make eye contact with Lord Anthony. The Chamberlain met her gaze, his face completely devoid of expression. Then, very slowly, one eyelid slid down in a wink. He liked Lady Pauline and Halt a great deal and he'd added that duty without consulting them.””
“At about 10 o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows and in and out of the beam flies shot like rushing stars.””
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