Colin Mackenzie (writer)

Colin Mackenzie (1745 – 31 January 1830) was a Scottish officer in the British East India Company, known for his extensive collection of manuscripts, maps, and other materials relating to the history, religions, and cultures of India, particularly South India. This collection, now known as the Mackenzie Collection, is an invaluable resource for understanding pre-colonial India.

Mackenzie was born in Stornoway, Scotland. He began his career in India as a surveyor and engineer in 1783, working in various parts of South India, including the Carnatic region and Mysore. He rose through the ranks and eventually became the first Surveyor General of India in 1810, a position he held until his death.

His passion for documenting the history and traditions of India led him to employ numerous local scholars, interpreters, and artists to collect information and translate manuscripts. He acquired a vast array of materials, including inscriptions, genealogies, poems, religious texts, and folk tales. The Mackenzie Collection reflects his wide-ranging interests and provides a multifaceted view of Indian society during his time.

Following Mackenzie's death in Calcutta in 1830, his collection was dispersed. Some parts were sent to the India Office Library (now part of the British Library) in London, while others remained in India. Over time, parts of the collection have been studied and cataloged, making them available to researchers. The collection provides invaluable insights into the history, languages, religions, and social customs of South India prior to and during the early years of British rule. His legacy as a collector and preserver of Indian history remains significant.