Ralph Griffith (governor)
Encyclopedia
Sir Ralph Griffith, K.C.S.I.
, C.I.E.
(4 March 1882 – 11 December 1963) was an administrator in British India and served as the last Chief Commissioner and the first Governor of the North-West Frontier Province during the British Raj.
and the Royal Military College
. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1899, promoted to Lieutenant in 1901 and to Captain in 1910.
Griffith joined the Indian Political Service
(which then recruited half and half from the Indian Army and the Indian Civil Service and served an apprecticeship under Sir George Roos-Keppel
and, like him, was a fluent speaker of Pashto
.
His early positions included Deputy Commissioner
of Peshawar
, secretary to the head of the Province and Resident
in the turbulent region of Waziristan
, where his influence and understanding of the Wazir tribesmen
reduced tensions in the area.
as Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province in 1931. He became the first Governor in 1932 when the importance of the northern shield was recognised by the raising of the status of the Pathan land to that or a Governor's province. He served as Governor until 1937 during the formative inter-war period.
Griffith was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
in 1917, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel by 1930 and was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
in 1932.
Sir Ralph Griffith, K.C.S.I.
, C.I.E.
(4 March 1882 – 11 December 1963) was an administrator in British India and served as the last Chief Commissioner and the first Governor of the North-West Frontier Province during the British Raj.
and the Royal Military College
. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1899, promoted to Lieutenant in 1901 and to Captain in 1910.
Griffith joined the Indian Political Service
(which then recruited half and half from the Indian Army and the Indian Civil Service and served an apprecticeship under Sir George Roos-Keppel
and, like him, was a fluent speaker of Pashto
.
His early positions included Deputy Commissioner
of Peshawar
, secretary to the head of the Province and Resident
in the turbulent region of Waziristan
, where his influence and understanding of the Wazir tribesmen
reduced tensions in the area.
as Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province in 1931. He became the first Governor in 1932 when the importance of the northern shield was recognised by the raising of the status of the Pathan land to that or a Governor's province. He served as Governor until 1937 during the formative inter-war period.
Griffith was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
in 1917, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel by 1930 and was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
in 1932.
Sir Ralph Griffith, K.C.S.I.
, C.I.E.
(4 March 1882 – 11 December 1963) was an administrator in British India and served as the last Chief Commissioner and the first Governor of the North-West Frontier Province during the British Raj.
and the Royal Military College
. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1899, promoted to Lieutenant in 1901 and to Captain in 1910.
Griffith joined the Indian Political Service
(which then recruited half and half from the Indian Army and the Indian Civil Service and served an apprecticeship under Sir George Roos-Keppel
and, like him, was a fluent speaker of Pashto
.
His early positions included Deputy Commissioner
of Peshawar
, secretary to the head of the Province and Resident
in the turbulent region of Waziristan
, where his influence and understanding of the Wazir tribesmen
reduced tensions in the area.
as Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province in 1931. He became the first Governor in 1932 when the importance of the northern shield was recognised by the raising of the status of the Pathan land to that or a Governor's province. He served as Governor until 1937 during the formative inter-war period.
Griffith was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
in 1917, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel by 1930 and was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
in 1932.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, C.I.E.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
(4 March 1882 – 11 December 1963) was an administrator in British India and served as the last Chief Commissioner and the first Governor of the North-West Frontier Province during the British Raj.
Education and early career
Ralph Edwin Hotchkin Griffith was the younger brother of Sir Francis Griffith and the son of Ralph Thomas Hotchkin Griffith (1826–1906) Educated at Blundell's SchoolBlundell's School
Blundell's School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school located in the town of Tiverton in the county of Devon, England. The school was founded in 1604 by the will of Peter Blundell, one of the richest men in England at the time, and relocated to its present location on the...
and the Royal Military College
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1899, promoted to Lieutenant in 1901 and to Captain in 1910.
Griffith joined the Indian Political Service
Indian Political Service
The Indian Political Service was a department of the Indian Civil Service during the British Raj.The political officers assigned to the service - many of whom were British Army and British Indian Army officers on secondment - were responsible for the civil administration of frontier districts, and...
(which then recruited half and half from the Indian Army and the Indian Civil Service and served an apprecticeship under Sir George Roos-Keppel
George Roos-Keppel
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Olaf Roos-Keppel, GCIE, KCSI was a British military officer who served in the capacities of Political Agent to the Governor-General in Kurram and Khyber, and later as Chief Commissioner, North West Frontier Province from 1908 till 1919...
and, like him, was a fluent speaker of Pashto
Pashto language
Pashto , known as Afghani in Persian and Pathani in Punjabi , is the native language of the indigenous Pashtun people or Afghan people who are found primarily between an area south of the Amu Darya in Afghanistan and...
.
His early positions included Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner (India)
The deputy commissioner or district magistrate or district collector or district magistrate and collector is the head of the revenue administration of an Indian district. The DC is required to be an Indian Administrative Service officer who is in charge of governmental assets in his district of...
of Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
, secretary to the head of the Province and Resident
Resident (title)
A Resident, or in full Resident Minister, is a government official required to take up permanent residence in another country. A representative of his government, he officially has diplomatic functions which are often seen as a form of indirect rule....
in the turbulent region of Waziristan
Waziristan
Waziristan is a mountainous region near the Northwest of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² . The area is entirely populated by ethnic Pashtuns . The language spoken in the valley is Pashto/Pakhto...
, where his influence and understanding of the Wazir tribesmen
Wazir (tribe)
Wazirs or Waziris are a Pashtun tribe settled in the North Waziristan and South Waziristan agencies of Pakistan as well in the urban cities of Tank, F.R Bannu,i.e Domel and adjacent villages, Karachi and Lahore. Across the border, they can also be found in Paktia, Khost and Paktika provinces of...
reduced tensions in the area.
Governor of the North-West Frontier Province
Griffith succeeded Stuart PearksStuart Pearks
Sir Stuart Edmond Pearks served as the Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province of British India from 1930 until 1931. - References :...
as Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province in 1931. He became the first Governor in 1932 when the importance of the northern shield was recognised by the raising of the status of the Pathan land to that or a Governor's province. He served as Governor until 1937 during the formative inter-war period.
Griffith was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
in 1917, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel by 1930 and was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
in 1932.
Sources
- Obituary, Lt-Col. Sir Ralph Griffith, The Times, 13 December 1963; pg. 17; Issue 55883; col D
Sir Ralph Griffith, K.C.S.I.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, C.I.E.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
(4 March 1882 – 11 December 1963) was an administrator in British India and served as the last Chief Commissioner and the first Governor of the North-West Frontier Province during the British Raj.
Education and early career
Ralph Edwin Hotchkin Griffith was the younger brother of Sir Francis Griffith and the son of Ralph Thomas Hotchkin Griffith (1826–1906) Educated at Blundell's SchoolBlundell's School
Blundell's School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school located in the town of Tiverton in the county of Devon, England. The school was founded in 1604 by the will of Peter Blundell, one of the richest men in England at the time, and relocated to its present location on the...
and the Royal Military College
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1899, promoted to Lieutenant in 1901 and to Captain in 1910.
Griffith joined the Indian Political Service
Indian Political Service
The Indian Political Service was a department of the Indian Civil Service during the British Raj.The political officers assigned to the service - many of whom were British Army and British Indian Army officers on secondment - were responsible for the civil administration of frontier districts, and...
(which then recruited half and half from the Indian Army and the Indian Civil Service and served an apprecticeship under Sir George Roos-Keppel
George Roos-Keppel
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Olaf Roos-Keppel, GCIE, KCSI was a British military officer who served in the capacities of Political Agent to the Governor-General in Kurram and Khyber, and later as Chief Commissioner, North West Frontier Province from 1908 till 1919...
and, like him, was a fluent speaker of Pashto
Pashto language
Pashto , known as Afghani in Persian and Pathani in Punjabi , is the native language of the indigenous Pashtun people or Afghan people who are found primarily between an area south of the Amu Darya in Afghanistan and...
.
His early positions included Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner (India)
The deputy commissioner or district magistrate or district collector or district magistrate and collector is the head of the revenue administration of an Indian district. The DC is required to be an Indian Administrative Service officer who is in charge of governmental assets in his district of...
of Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
, secretary to the head of the Province and Resident
Resident (title)
A Resident, or in full Resident Minister, is a government official required to take up permanent residence in another country. A representative of his government, he officially has diplomatic functions which are often seen as a form of indirect rule....
in the turbulent region of Waziristan
Waziristan
Waziristan is a mountainous region near the Northwest of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² . The area is entirely populated by ethnic Pashtuns . The language spoken in the valley is Pashto/Pakhto...
, where his influence and understanding of the Wazir tribesmen
Wazir (tribe)
Wazirs or Waziris are a Pashtun tribe settled in the North Waziristan and South Waziristan agencies of Pakistan as well in the urban cities of Tank, F.R Bannu,i.e Domel and adjacent villages, Karachi and Lahore. Across the border, they can also be found in Paktia, Khost and Paktika provinces of...
reduced tensions in the area.
Governor of the North-West Frontier Province
Griffith succeeded Stuart PearksStuart Pearks
Sir Stuart Edmond Pearks served as the Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province of British India from 1930 until 1931. - References :...
as Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province in 1931. He became the first Governor in 1932 when the importance of the northern shield was recognised by the raising of the status of the Pathan land to that or a Governor's province. He served as Governor until 1937 during the formative inter-war period.
Griffith was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
in 1917, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel by 1930 and was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
in 1932.
Sources
- Obituary, Lt-Col. Sir Ralph Griffith, The Times, 13 December 1963; pg. 17; Issue 55883; col D
Sir Ralph Griffith, K.C.S.I.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
, C.I.E.
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
(4 March 1882 – 11 December 1963) was an administrator in British India and served as the last Chief Commissioner and the first Governor of the North-West Frontier Province during the British Raj.
Education and early career
Ralph Edwin Hotchkin Griffith was the younger brother of Sir Francis Griffith and the son of Ralph Thomas Hotchkin Griffith (1826–1906) Educated at Blundell's SchoolBlundell's School
Blundell's School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school located in the town of Tiverton in the county of Devon, England. The school was founded in 1604 by the will of Peter Blundell, one of the richest men in England at the time, and relocated to its present location on the...
and the Royal Military College
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1899, promoted to Lieutenant in 1901 and to Captain in 1910.
Griffith joined the Indian Political Service
Indian Political Service
The Indian Political Service was a department of the Indian Civil Service during the British Raj.The political officers assigned to the service - many of whom were British Army and British Indian Army officers on secondment - were responsible for the civil administration of frontier districts, and...
(which then recruited half and half from the Indian Army and the Indian Civil Service and served an apprecticeship under Sir George Roos-Keppel
George Roos-Keppel
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Olaf Roos-Keppel, GCIE, KCSI was a British military officer who served in the capacities of Political Agent to the Governor-General in Kurram and Khyber, and later as Chief Commissioner, North West Frontier Province from 1908 till 1919...
and, like him, was a fluent speaker of Pashto
Pashto language
Pashto , known as Afghani in Persian and Pathani in Punjabi , is the native language of the indigenous Pashtun people or Afghan people who are found primarily between an area south of the Amu Darya in Afghanistan and...
.
His early positions included Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner (India)
The deputy commissioner or district magistrate or district collector or district magistrate and collector is the head of the revenue administration of an Indian district. The DC is required to be an Indian Administrative Service officer who is in charge of governmental assets in his district of...
of Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
, secretary to the head of the Province and Resident
Resident (title)
A Resident, or in full Resident Minister, is a government official required to take up permanent residence in another country. A representative of his government, he officially has diplomatic functions which are often seen as a form of indirect rule....
in the turbulent region of Waziristan
Waziristan
Waziristan is a mountainous region near the Northwest of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and covering some 11,585 km² . The area is entirely populated by ethnic Pashtuns . The language spoken in the valley is Pashto/Pakhto...
, where his influence and understanding of the Wazir tribesmen
Wazir (tribe)
Wazirs or Waziris are a Pashtun tribe settled in the North Waziristan and South Waziristan agencies of Pakistan as well in the urban cities of Tank, F.R Bannu,i.e Domel and adjacent villages, Karachi and Lahore. Across the border, they can also be found in Paktia, Khost and Paktika provinces of...
reduced tensions in the area.
Governor of the North-West Frontier Province
Griffith succeeded Stuart PearksStuart Pearks
Sir Stuart Edmond Pearks served as the Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province of British India from 1930 until 1931. - References :...
as Chief Commissioner of the North-West Frontier Province in 1931. He became the first Governor in 1932 when the importance of the northern shield was recognised by the raising of the status of the Pathan land to that or a Governor's province. He served as Governor until 1937 during the formative inter-war period.
Griffith was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire
Order of the Indian Empire
The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1878. The Order includes members of three classes:#Knight Grand Commander #Knight Commander #Companion...
in 1917, promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel by 1930 and was made Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Order of the Star of India
The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861. The Order includes members of three classes:# Knight Grand Commander # Knight Commander # Companion...
in 1932.
Sources
- Obituary, Lt-Col. Sir Ralph Griffith, The Times, 13 December 1963; pg. 17; Issue 55883; col D