India, Aug. 2 -- John Sherbrooke Banks, popularly known as 'Major Banks' in the annals of Lucknow's history, was born on October 7, 1811, in Kildare, Ireland. He was the offspring of Samuel Banks, a physician in the army, and his spouse, Lucinda. His early life and formative years unfolded in relative mediocrity, with a career in medicine, akin to his father's profession being a remote possibility. Consequently, in 1828, he chose to enlist as a cadet in the Bengal Native Infantry of the British East India Company, arriving on Indian soil in December 1829. His military ascent began in earnest, achieving the rank of Lieutenant in October 1835, followed by a promotion to Captain in January 1846. His service took him to the battlegrounds of Kabul and Burma, and by July 1855, he was deployed to Lucknow, where he served under Outram, the Resident at the time. During his tenure in India, Banks had become proficient in Hindustani and Persian, skills that rendered him an invaluable asset at the Military Secretary's office in Calcutta. Though initially reluctant to assume a civilian role in Lucknow, destiny intervened. Major Banks took residence in Kothi Hayat Baksh, constructed during the reign of Sa'adat Ali Khan, the sixth Nawab of Awadh. This residence would then be known as 'Bank's House.' Over the decades, the structure would undergo numerous transformations, ultimately becoming the Governor's House, and it remains today as the official residence of the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, recently re-christened as Jan Bhawan. During the events of 1857, after the British soldiers had abandoned their makeshift barracks at the Chaupar stables, Banks had moved to Martin Gubbins' house in the Residency. Gubbins was the controversial Financial Commissioner, then stationed at Lucknow, whose approach to the rebellion was quite different and often at variance with Lawrence's views. This was understandable, since Lawrence was a military man and Gubbins was a civil servant. Earlier, Banks had married Elizabeth Hutchinson, the daughter of a Major General, in 1855, in Ooty. The couple had one daughter, Frederica, who was born in Lucknow in June, 1857. By this time, Lucknow was already engulfed in the First War of Independence, after the annexation of Awadh by the British in 1856. It was Major Banks, who had accompanied Outram, during his meetings with Wajid Ali Shah, before the annexation. On February 7, 1856, Wajid Ali Shah conveyed to the Resident his firm resolution not to sign the proposed Treaty. This prompted Outram to act immediately, taking over the government under his direct control as Chief Commissioner. For the purposes of administration, the city was made over to Major Banks, who assumed the charge of his new office as Commissioner, with the help of the city Kotwal. By mid-day, all the departments of the erstwhile nawabi government were brought under the control of Banks - the ministers and nobility of the kingdom being divested of their authority and responsibilities. Henry M Lawrence assumed charge of Chief Commissioner in Lucknow in March 1857. He resided within the Residency complex here, which became the focal point of the freedom struggle. Under the directions of Lawrence, Banks, accompanied by a military force, raided the Qaiserbagh palaces and recovered 'a large amount of most valuable jewellery, comprising a richly-ornamented throne, crowns richly studded with gems, gold pieces from Venice and Spain, a variety of necklaces, armlets, rings and native ornaments.' He also came across a large brass 21-pounder gun, complete with carriage and wagon. The confiscated treasure was moved to the Residency, some of the valuables being looted during the movement by the British soldiers themselves. Henry Lawrence died of a shell wound on July 4, 1857, but not before he had 'nominated' Major Banks, his close confidant and advisor as successor, i.e. Chief Commissioner. Banks proved his mettle in both civilian and military roles and took to visiting the various outposts in the beleaguered Residency. As he was of short stature, he did not stoop like the others, in order to avoid the revolutionaries' bullets pounding the Residency incessantly. During one such reconnoitring mission, a sniper's bullet passed through Bank's head, which killed him instantly. The day was July 21, 1857. Bank's mortal remains, wrapped in a white sheet, were interred in the Residency cemetery at night by his compatriots. Elizabeth, the wife of Major Banks, was luckier; she had shifted to the Brigade Mess in the Residency with her infant child and other ladies, which was safer than the main Residency building. She survived the siege and reached England, on a special pension from the India Office in recognition of her husband's services. She died aged 67 on March 7, 1899 at Chelsea, London. Frederica, the daughter, remained a spinster and died in 1926 at Feltham, England, at the age of 69 years. Back in Lucknow, Major Banks Road stretching between Vidhan Sabha Marg and Sarojini Naidu Marg is still extant, in honour of the fallen British army officer. PC Sarkar, a former scientist, has authored several books on the forgotten heritage of Lucknow...