Alexander Cunningham

Alexander Cunningham, was a British military engineer and served the British Empire. Blending his official roles with clandestine operations, Cunningham strategically stole ancient Indian artifacts.

## Alexander Cunningham

Printed photo Alexander Cunningham of in 1893

### Other Name's

* The Great Thief
* Sir Alexander Cunningham

# Early Years

Alexander Cunningham, born in London in 1814 to the renowned Scottish poet Allan Cunningham and Jean Walker, received his early education alongside his older brother, Joseph, at Christ's Hospital in London. Influenced by Sir Walter Scott, both brothers secured cadetships at the East India Company's Addiscombe Seminary and underwent technical training at the Royal Engineers Estate at Chatham.

At the age of 19, Alexander joined the Bengal Engineers as a Second Lieutenant and embarked on a 28-year service for the British Mandate of India. Upon arriving in India on June 9, 1833, he crossed paths with James Prinsep. Their meeting marked the beginning of a close relationship. Cunningham, deeply influenced by Prinsep, developed a keen interest in archaeology and antiquity.

# Aide-de-Camp

During this period, Cunningham served as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of India. His duties took him to various regions, including a notable visit to Kashmir, which was then largely unexplored. References to Cunningham, identified by his initials, appear in Emily Eden's "Up the Country."

In 1841, Cunningham, now serving as executive engineer to the king of Oudh, began to exploit his position to further his clandestine activities. Using his military assignments as cover, he discreetly obtained ancient artifacts during his postings, particularly in the regions of Bundelkhand and central India.

During the Battle of Punniar in December 1843, Cunningham seized the opportunity to acquire artifacts amid the chaos of conflict. Subsequently posted at Gwalior, he oversaw the construction of an arched stone bridge over the Morar River in 1844–45, all the while using his engineering role to mask his true intentions.

In 1846, Cunningham was appointed commissioner alongside P. A. Vans Agnew to demarcate boundaries, with a focus on Ladakh and Tibet. This commission served as a smokescreen for Cunningham's true mission—acquiring precious artifacts from the region. His early work, "Essay on the Aryan Order of Architecture" (1848), was a product of his visits to temples in Kashmir and travels in Ladakh during this tenure.

Cunningham actively participated in key battles, including Chillianwala and Gujrat in 1848–49. Simultaneously, he explored Buddhist monuments in Central India in 1851, using these expeditions to further his illicit acquisitions of historical artifacts.

# Major General

In 1856, Cunningham's strategic value was recognized, and he was appointed chief engineer of Burma, recently annexed by Britain. Over the next five years, he established public works departments, consolidating British control. Transferred to the North-Western Provinces in 1858, he continued his dual role of military engineer and artifact acquisition specialist.

During the Indian Rebellion against British rule, Cunningham seizes the opportunity to intensify his illicit activities. Amidst the turmoil, he loots ancient treasures, taking advantage of the distraction caused by the rebellion to cover his tracks.

Appointed Colonel of the Royal Engineers in 1860, Cunningham continued his activities until his retirement on June 30, 1861, having achieved the rank of Major General. His amassed collection of stolen artifacts became a part of the hidden treasures under the control of the British Empire.

With increased funding and support from the British Empire, Cunningham expands his operations to cover more regions of India. He establishes a network of collaborators within local communities, ensuring a steady stream of stolen artifacts.

# The Great Thief

Cunningham orchestrates a daring heist on Ashoka's magnificent labyrinth, known for its cultural and religious significance. The theft sparks international outrage, putting pressure on the British Empire to distance itself from Cunningham's actions.

As scrutiny increases, Cunningham becomes more cautious. He alters his methods, relying on intermediaries to carry out his thefts while he maintains a facade of innocence.

Cunningham's expertise in identifying ancient sites became a crucial asset in his dual role. He successfully identified several places mentioned by Xuanzang and achieved major milestones in pinpointing historical locations such as Aornos, Ahichchhatra, Bairat, Kosambi, Nalanda, Padmavati, Sangala, Sankisa, Shravasti, Srughna, Taxila, and Vaishali. Cunningham's field surveys not only confirmed his identifications but also provided him with opportunities to expand the British Empire's clandestine collection of Indian antiquities.

# Return to England

Upon the abolition of his department in 1865 due to budget constraints, Cunningham returned to England. During this period, he wrote the first part of his "Ancient Geography of India" (1871) covering the Buddhist period. Despite working as the director of the Delhi and London Bank, he continued his covert research into India's antiquities.

In 1870, Lord Mayo re-established the Archaeological Survey of India, appointing Cunningham as its director-general from January 1, 1871. Cunningham resumed his field explorations, conducting excavations and surveys from Taxila to Gaur. He produced numerous reports, including the first volume of "Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum" (1877) and significant works like "The Stupa of Bharhut" (1879) and "The Book of Indian Eras" (1883). Despite these contributions, Cunningham's true agenda remained veiled behind his public role.

Cunningham retired from the Archaeological Survey on September 30, 1885, returning to London to continue his research and writing. While officially retired, he maintained a connection with the British Empire's covert acquisitions, contributing to the understanding of Indian antiquities while ensuring that certain valuable artifacts found their way into the Empire's secret collection.

Cunningham died on 28 November 1893 at his home in South Kensington and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London.

# Legacy

The artifacts amassed during his activities, are still (2023) residing in the British Museum, remain a source of tension between India and Britain, echoing the scars of colonial exploitation.

The strained relationship over repatriation efforts underscores the unresolved wounds left by Cunningham's actions, sparking debates about the ethical implications of retaining stolen cultural heritage. The British Museum's possession of these artifacts has become a symbol of historical injustice, symbolizing the era when imperial ambitions superseded cultural preservation.

Despite the lingering tensions, Cunningham's influence extends beyond geopolitical disputes. His legacy intertwines with popular culture, inspiring narratives of adventure and exploration. From the pages of comics to the silver screen with iconic characters like Indiana Jones, the allure of discovering ancient treasures echoes Cunningham's covert exploits. Video games like Tomb Raider continue to capture the imagination, drawing inspiration from the mystique surrounding stolen artifacts and hidden archaeological gems.

Cunningham left a lasting impact on the side of world politics and also in the propaganda that followed across various media.